Are Visits Covered by OHIP?

OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) is for Ontarians or eligible residents to have access to basic health care like appointments with your family doctor, visits to walk in clinics, Emergency Room (ER), and to medical tests and surgeries. 

OHIP does not include access to private health care like dentistry, physiotherapy, or visits to your Naturopathic Doctor. 

However, the good news is that extended health insurance benefits through your workplace often cover these visits. Check with your employer or your insurance company to determine what type of coverage you have. Other coverage types include health spending accounts where an individual is provided an annual limit for extended health benefits to spend how they wish. Check your maximum yearly coverage, your maximum coverage per visit, and whether blood work and/or comprehensive testing is covered.

If you don’t have coverage, you can still see a Naturopathic Doctor. Your health is so important – many NDs are happy to work within the confines of your budget the best they can.

While visits and testing are often covered, supplements are typically paid out of pocket. Occasionally a health spending account may be used to cover the cost of supplements. Always check with your provider.

How to make Telemedicine work for you

Ensure you know which platform to meet your ND on and have your microphone and camera turned on. I use a video platform within my online electronic medical records system, JaneApp. Simply sign into your JaneApp account, and select the button to start the appointment at the appropriate time. At my London office, I also use a secure site called Doxy where you can sign in and wait for your appointment in the virtual waiting room.

It is also helpful to ensure you have a good internet connection so we can chat freely without too many disruptions in the video.

Fill out your intake and consent forms prior to the appointment as the appointment cannot start until the consent forms are signed. If there are any labs to review, send them prior to the visit. This all ensures your first appointment goes as smoothly as possible. Your treatment plan will be thoroughly discussed with you and available on your JaneApp portal to view anytime, or emailed directly to you.

Telemedicine can be a great tool to stay connected, and easily reach and talk to your ND without leaving your home! Don’t be afraid to ask questions, clarify and make sure we are on the same page before the appointment is over!

What to Prepare before your appointment

Prior to your first appointment (whether Telemedicine or in-person), it is best to fill out the intake form so your ND can have a chance to review and prepare prior to the appointment. This allows your ND to be familiar with you and can ask more specific questions. You may be asked the same questions as the intake form, but this is to ensure there are no misunderstandings. Usually this form is emailed to you prior to your appointment.

Bring anything that would be relevant to your diagnoses and treatment plan, such as: 

• Blood work or comprehensive labs done within the last 6 months 
• Any formally diagnosed conditions and past treatment plans
• List of current medications with doses
• List of allergies (if any)
• List of current supplements including brands and dose

The above items will make for a more productive appointment, but are not required. 

Telemedicine

Telemedicine allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients at a distance using telecommunication technology. It allows us to stay connected from a distance.

If for any reason physical exams are required, this can be scheduled between you and your ND, or referred to a healthcare professional able to diagnose and perform physical exams.

Using a secure telemedicine platform on your computer, smartphone or tablet, you can interact with your ND using video for remote diagnosis and treatment. Labs and photos can easily be accessed, shared and discussed as they would at an in-person visit.

This is relatively new and many people are hesitant to use this technology to access healthcare. In the case of the current pandemic situation with COVID-19, this is an excellent resource to stay connected with your ND. Another important benefit with telemedicine is the ability to stay with your ND in the case of relocation. If you have spent many years with a healthcare provider, it can bring peace of mind to know you can maintain this relationship even if located in different cities. As long as both you and your ND are in the same province, you can continue to access their services through telemedicine.

During the coronavirus pandemic, I have come to really value telemedicine as a way to stay connected. Using video to meet new clients or continue care has been so valuable in pursuing health. It’s also such a wonderful way to gain access into clients lives!

What to Expect: A Visit with Your ND

Visits with your ND look a little bit different than a typical visit to your General Physician (GP). 

Your initial appointment is typically about an hour long – we discuss in detail: 

• current health concerns, 
• health history, 
• family history, 
• discuss relevant labs if possible and do a physical exam. 

This appointment is to gather information on what you’d like to work on, whether we need to do further testing to rule out other issues (for example – for fatigue we would likely look at iron, B12, Vitamin D and Thyroid in general).

At the end of your appointment, we discuss treatment options. My approach as an ND is to work with you as a team, so if I suggest something you know isn’t possible for you, we can pivot to another alternative. It is important you are comfortable and confident in your individualized treatment plan.

Often a treatment plan comprises some supplements (and their timeline for treatment), lifestyle and changes that are applicable since these are the foundations to health, but often take time to implement.

Your first follow up is typically about a month after the initial visit so we can go over how well the treatment plan is working for you, discuss lab results that have come back, and make any necessary changes. At the start of treatment, you are likely coming in a bit more often as we start to improve and alleviate concerns and as the treatment plan progresses, you will come in less frequently.

Often after treatment success, patients come in for check ups every 6 months to a year to discuss anything new coming up, prevention and ensure you feel well and balanced.  

Common Reasons to See a Naturopathic Doctor

Often, when new patients call in they ask if I can treat a condition or help support a plan they are already on. The short answer is yes – Naturopathic Medicine can be useful in supporting any health condition or concern!

There are various reasons to make an appointment with an ND and every person/reason is different. 

Here are some of the most common reasons people look for an ND¹: 

• Those looking for health promotion and disease prevention. 
  • People that want to work to maintain lifelong health and/or prevent health conditions in their family history (e.g. type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis)
• Those who experience symptoms that cannot be explained by other medical practitioners. This can be from IBS to unexplained pain or fatigue.
• Those diagnosed with an illness who are looking for alternative treatment options.
• Those diagnosed with an illness looking for adjunct therapies to improve quality of life and minimize side effects from traditional therapies (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, gastritis and other digestive concerns, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances).
• Those diagnosed with an illness looking to combine conventional and Naturopathic approaches.
• Those with health concerns who are looking for a holistic approach that takes all areas of the body into consideration in treatment.
• Many people seek an ND for a primary care doctor (GP)*.

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*While I do not advocate for having an ND as your only primary care provider, I do see many patients for common conditions and ailments looking for Naturopathic approaches to healing before seeking conventional medicine. As an ND, my goal is to support and advocate for your health and I do not hesitate to suggest seeing your General Physician (GP) for things beyond my scope (e.g. the need for a referral for imaging).

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¹http://www.cand.ca/what-can-it-do-for-you/

What is Naturopathic medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is a licensed and regulated profession regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO). It encompasses prevention, diagnosing, and treating the root cause of disease.

Diagnosis can be done with physical exams, traditional lab testing, and comprehensive labs where necessary (e.g. salivary hormone testing, urine and stool testing)¹.

Naturopathic medicine can treat and support almost every health condition – from digestive concerns, thyroid imbalances, hormone disruption, stress, fatigue, and complex chronic conditions².

Treatment uses various natural therapies including: botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, lifestyle counselling, and the use of supplementation.

For example, digestive issues like bloating, discomfort after eating, urgent bowel movements can be signs of various digestive disorders. Dr. Lauren uses food sensitivity testing and other comprehensive digestive tests to determine the root cause of digestive discomfort, and uses diet changes, lifestyle changes and supplements/herbs to re-establish balance and reduce symptoms. 

¹https://www.cand.ca/diagnostic-assessments/

²https://www.cand.ca/what-can-it-do-for-you/

What is a Naturopathic Doctor?

Whenever I am introduced to someone new and the topic of my job comes up, I am always asked “so what is an ND anyway?”

A Naturopathic Doctor is a fully trained, licensed and regulated health professional. A minimum 3 year undergraduate degree is required in order to be accepted to an accredited naturopathic medical school. In Canada there are two naturopathic medical schools; the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto, Ontario and Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (BINM) in Vancouver, British Columbia. CCNM has a 4 year degree program where 3 years are spent in class and 1 year as an intern at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic seeing patients. In order to complete the program, a minimum standard must be met to practice all modalities (hydrotherapy, B12 shots, acupuncture, manual therapy, hours spent in phlebotomy lab) and see a required number of patients.

After completion of the program, candidates must pass National Licensing Exams (NPLEX) and Ontario Clinical exams before we can hold our license with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO).

Naturopathic Doctors are trained to diagnose and treat the root cause of disease, by looking at the whole picture – each body system and how it functions in relation to other systems. We treat each case and each person individually and work as a team with our patients to find resolution to health concerns.

Naturopathic Doctors have the additional option of obtaining their prescribing rights, to have the ability to prescribe some restricted medications, like bio-identical hormone therapy, dessicated thyroid, B12 and Vitamin D shots to name a few. Dr. Lauren, ND has obtained her prescribing rights.

Naturopathic Doctors can treat and support any health condition. I personally see hormone imbalances, stress, thyroid disturbances, digestive issues, and sleep issues the most in my practice (and guess what – they are often issues that affect each other!).

What to Look for in a Protein Powder

Training breaks down muscle—you need to break down muscle in order to build it up stronger. Consuming protein, especially BCAAs (branch chain amino acids), after a workout helps your body to rebuild muscle, and reduces recovery time. It can also act as a way to help reach your protein macro goals in your flexible dieting plan. Of course, the focus, as always, is on nutrient dense food first, and other supplementation like whey protein as a supplement, and not a meal replacement.

First things first: Not all protein powders are created equally. There are protein powders known as ‘mass gainers’ that include protein, carbs and fats. Purchase this if you are having trouble hitting your macros during a bulking period. It contains a higher amount of macronutrients than a general protein powder.

Proteins are classified in 3 ways

The differences between these are generally in their absorption rate, so ensure you know what you are looking for when buying.

• Concentrate -concentrating protein into powder can produce different compositions, based on what ‘non protein’ parts are removed. Most protein concentrates have about 70-80% protein, and the rest comes from your remaining macronutrients (carbs/fat), water and minerals.
  • Absorbs at a moderate pace. Best used between meals
• Isolate  – more of the ‘non-protein’ parts have been removed than with concentrates. Isolates have up to 90% protein.
  • more rapidly absorbed. Best used right after a workout to push proteins and amino acids into your muscle cells
• Hydrolysates – a hydrolyzed protein has partially digested proteins, which provide the amino acid building blocks.

Classifying Protein Powders:

• Whey Protein
  • Most popular – promotes muscle growth and fat loss. Absorbed fastest and therefore ideal right before or after a workout.
• Casein Protein
  • Casein is the protein found in milk. It is a slow digesting protein, and is therefore best before bed or in between meals. It is a good source of glutamine, which helps reduce muscle-protein breakdown.
• Pea protein
  • Great vegetarian or dairy/egg allergy option. It is superior to other plant based protein powders because it has a 98% digestion rate and is well utilized by the body.
• Soy protein
  • This form of protein can be used as long as it is non-GMO and organic. It is generally not a great protein powder, in that it is often filled with additives and sugars. There are more forms of complete protein out there such as the ones listed above.

Generally, most gym-goers and relatively active people are going to be looking for a protein powder that is highest in protein, to supplement. If you want to bulk up, look for one that is higher in carbs and fats as well.

• Low fat (1-5g is ok)
• Low carb (1-5g is ok)
• High protein (about 20-30g per serving)

Do your research

• Consider products that have been around for awhile and have positive feedback. Products that have stood the test of time are generally quality products that continue to be purchased.
• Some products are more nutrient dense than others. For example, many protein powders found at your local supplement store are for basic muscle growth and recovery, and have few ingredients other than a diary or soy containing whey. Other protein powders, like Vega for example, have more ingredients like turmeric or probiotics that will benefit overall health rather than just recovery. Both options are great, it just depends on what your goals are. If you eat well or already take supplements, perhaps you don’t need a protein powder with these added ingredients.

Quality Over Quantity

• Look at the label and ensure the powder doesn’t contain any more than 7-10g of other ingredients, or additives in it such as artificial sweeteners like corn syrup solids, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium
• Look for something with more natural ingredients (if you have a hard time pronouncing many ingredient names, perhaps reconsider that powder), and few additives.

I’ve put together a list of some good options of protein powders on the market. A few are vegan, a few are white label found at the local supplement store, and a few (Progenex) are popular in the CrossFit Community. They all have something positive to offer, depending on what you are looking for.

Vega Sport [Vegan, Free of Dairy, Soy and Gluten, Non GMO]

• 30g protein; 6g BCAAs; 6g Glutamine; Turmeric; Probiotics
  • Vega Sport Performance Protein sources from pea, alfalfa, pumpkin seed and organic sunflower seed proteins.
  • Added benefits: turmeric is an overall powerful anti-inflammatory, glutamine supports muscle growth, probiotics help foster good gut flora and aid in digestion

 

Pure Paleo Protein Powder (chocolate or vanilla) [Dairy free, Non GMO]

• 21g protein (from 100% beef)*; 1.5g fat (choc) or 1g (vanilla); 3g carb (choc) or 4g (vanilla); 1g fiber (choc) or 0g (vanilla)
• Added benefits: Great option for those who have dairy allergies.
• *this protein powder contains beef from animals raised in Sweden without hormones or antibiotics

 

 

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein

• 24g whey protein; 5.5g BCAAs; 4g Glutamine and glutamic acid;
• With over 20 different flavours, each one varies in the non-protein components, but an example of the Vanilla Flavour is:
  • 1g total fat; 3g carbohydrate

 

 

 

New Zealand Whey Isolate Protein [Lactose, wheat, gluten, yeast, soy free]

• 31g protein from ULTRA cross flow microfiltration (CFM) whey protein isolate*;0g fats; 0g carbohydrates
• Bonus: 0g sugar, contains a ton of amino acids, hormone and antibiotic free,
• *results in 100% undenatured whey isolate protein product which yields high protein, without fat or lactose. It’s water soluble, so ideal for athletes and seniors who absorb protein at a faster rate, and lacto-vegetarians who may need protein in their diet.

 

 

Progenex Flow [Contains milk and soy]

• 20g protein from hydrolyzed salmon extract; 0g fat; 16g carb
• Great protein for just getting through the day, in that it isn’t targeted specifically for building muscle or recovery
• Added benefits: Decent source of Vitamins A and C, though it does have a high carb count

 

 

Progenex More Muscle (Loco Mocha flavour) [Contains milk and soy]

• 30g protein from hydrolyzed whey protein; 10g carb; 1g fat; 25g fiber
• Added benefits: contains coffee powder for that extra boost of energy, and a few other amino acids (L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine) that the Progenex flow doesn’t have.
• Disclaimer: I have tried this one in particular and have found it to have a pretty chalky taste.

 

In general, understand what goals you have in mind. If you want to bulk up, you’ll likely want to include more macronutrients in your protein powder. If you are simply looking for a source of protein supplementation, you’ll likely be looking for a larger protein component. If you want a product that is more nutrient-dense, look for clean sources of protein like grass fed, antibiotic free, (or complete sources of plant based protein for our vegan friends, like pea, pumpkin, hemp and sunflower seeds). Read your labels and always say no to added sweeteners (fructose, sucralose, corn syrup to name a few).

 

I hope this was helpful!

-Lauren

Flexible Dieting: Troubleshooting

It’s been a few weeks since I started this journey. It most certainly has not been perfect, and I have made some (ahem.. many) mistakes along the way. But.. it’s about the journey, right?

Troubleshooting

Ideally, you should eat 30% of your carbs before working out, 30% afterward and the rest interspersed throughout the day. If you aren’t working out, these should just be spread over the course of your day. “Saving” your carbs for a treat at the end of the day isn’t doing your body any favours. You are likely feeling tired, groggy and grumpy over the day, because your body needs carbs to function. Remember that carbohydrates in the form of candy or sugary meals is not only used differently in the body, but also sits differently ON the body. Reaching your numbers by eating a tub of ice cream is not going to get you the results you are looking for.

Protein, in some form, is a must at every meal. Some studies have shown that consuming protein evenly throughout the day is most beneficial for muscle growth.

Ideally, you should be eating 5-6 meals a day, of nutrient dense food.

Here are some other things I’ve learned along the way…

Honesty

Being honest with myself has been hard. There were a few bad days where I ate like crap (making poor choices like having yogurt covered pretzels) and it was easier to skip tracking or leave out that particular food so I wouldn’t have to see it. Bad idea. It’s okay to have a bad day, but it’s also important to track it so that you can adjust the numbers down the road to fit your lifestyle. It’s also important to track it so you can see how it affected your mood, sleep, training and life. I have started being more honest with myself because I realized I won’t get anything out of this diet otherwise.

Don’t eat foods unless they’ve been accounted for on the scale

It is WAY to easy to eat at a Pita Pit, and go by a predetermined number on My Fitness Pal. This number doesn’t necessarily apply to your specific wrap. Hold yourself accountable and eat real food that you have prepared. If you know you are going to be away for a meal, prepare it ahead of time and bring it with you.

If that isn’t possible, just do your best to account for everything you are eating.

What I’m saying is – eat what you want, but be in control of what goes in it, and don’t go significantly over your numbers (stay within 5 on either side).

Traveling

I spend a lot of time traveling, and just generally being away from home on the weekends. I have had accommodated this by making vegetable smoothies ahead of time, buying whey for times when I can’t find a good source of protein, and eating protein bars where necessary. (However, it should be said that protein bars should act as supplemental food, and not meal replacements. Focus on making 85-90% of your daily nutrient intake nutrient dense foods, and use protein bars as a last resort, where necessary).

If you travel, stock up on things you can take with you. It’s easy to bring veggies along, prepare smoothies ahead of time, bring some nuts, precooked chicken or deli meats. Get creative – food can be fun! Make food prep part of the routine because it takes the stress out of traveling. I have had 12 hour days in clinic that I did not prepare for, and it was obvious how much it affected my ability to think and function. By the end of the day, I was barely participating. On the other hand, for those days I was well prepared, I found that I was still on my A game 12 hours later. As a generally low energy person, that is not something I ever thought was possible. It’s amazing how your body can surprise you when its well fed and nourished.

Overall, I am feeling well fed, well fueled, and excited about the changes over the next few weeks.

-Lauren