Interested in IV therapy to help you feel on top of your game?

Here’s what you need to know:

IV therapy is available at our clinic for current patients of our clinic. If you are not a patient of the clinic, please book an initial visit with one of our doctors.

(If you are under the care of a naturopathic doctor or integrative medical doctor outside this clinic, you may reach out to our reception team to request an external IV referral form to be completed by your health care practitioner.)

If you are a current patient and you are interested in starting IV therapy, these are the next steps you need to follow:

STEP 1 : Call in to book a 30min IV consultation appointment. Please note that Dr. Reid ND does NOT perform IV therapy.

STEP 2: Bring in any blood work that you have had completed in the last 6-12months to this IV Consultation.

At this IV consultation, one of our three IV trained naturopathic doctors will want to hear what your health goals are and assess your eligibility for IV therapy.  This assessment includes a review of your medical history,  current blood work, a brief physical exam and a discussion on options available to you.  Based on the IV required, baseline health, and the review of past blood work, the naturopathic doctor may request more blood work be completed prior to the first IV booking.

When the assessment is complete and you are deemed eligible for IV therapy, the naturopathic doctor will customize an IV treatment plan with goals, expectations, and monitoring parameters set out. The naturopathic doctor will inform you of how to prepare for you IV treatment and give you information on what to expect for the process. At this point, you can proceed to book you first IV with our front reception team.

After a series of IVs are completed, you may book a follow up IV consultation with your naturopathic doctor to review evaluate your response and need for ongoing IV therapy. (Usually updated blood work and/or imaging is reviewed at this time)

Seasonal affective disorder & vitamin d

Saskatchewan is known for its long, cold winters. As the temperatures decrease, so do the daylight hours, significantly diminishing the amount of sun we might see each day. To add to that, to avoid the cold, we spend more time indoors and the time we do spend outside has us wrapped from head-to-toe to keep warm. This means less sun exposure and therefore reduced opportunity for us to synthesize vitamin D from its light. For some people, the change in seasons also brings on the “winter blues” also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). It is currently thought that a combination of physiologic, psychologic, genetic, and environmental factors play a role in S.A.D., one of them being vitamin D deficiency.

What is seasonal affective disorder?

Also termed “S.A.D.”, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that typically occurs in the winter months when our exposure to sunlight is limited. Approximately 2-3% of Canadians will experience S.A.D. at some point and 15% more will experience a milder version of the condition.

There is a natural tendency to slow down in winter compared to the high-energy lifestyles we tend to carry on in summer months. However, if you notice you are feeling particularly low or experiencing the signs & symptoms below, it might be time to consider consulting a healthcare professional for an assessment.

Signs & Symptoms

• Feelings of hopelessness & sadness

• Thoughts of suicide

• Oversleeping

• Cravings for sweet or starchy foods

• Weight gain

• Fatigue/low energy

• Decreased physical activity

• Difficulty concentrating

• Irritability

• Increased sensitivity to social rejection

• Avoidance of social situations

In S.A.D., these signs and symptoms appear and disappear at about the same time each year, and the sad, despairing mood:

• is present most days and lasts most of the day

• lasts for more than two weeks

• impairs performance at work, school or in social relationships

Vitamin D - the sunshine vitamin

Vitamin D, which actually functions more like a hormone, acts on receptors in every tissue in the body including the brain and immune system. As it is a fat-soluble vitamin, we get it through diet from sources such as fatty fish (sardines, salmon, tuna), eggs, and liver; and are also able to synthesize it through our skin when we get sufficient exposure to the sun. As such, vitamin D levels have been shown to fluctuate with exposure to sunlight. Levels tend to decline from fall to winter, and are naturally lower the further north you live from the equator.

Vitamin D has many functions within the body. It is needed for calcium absorption (healthy bones, teeth), healthy immune function, and also has a role in the release of dopamine and serotonin - signalling molecules that, in the brain, are associated with drive, pleasure, and happiness.

So, how much vitamin D do you need?

Health Canada recommends a daily dietary intake of 600-800 IU’s of Vitamin D for adults. However, according to their statistics, most Canadians are not achieving this. While we also know sunlight does provide Vitamin D, here in Saskatchewan, the exposure we get at our northern location is often inadequate, especially in the winter months. Vitamin D levels also decrease with age, skin pigmentation, liver and kidney disease, obesity, certain medications, genetic mutations and other conditions.

How do I know if I’m getting enough vitamin D?

Luckily, there is a test for that! A simple blood test can assess whether you are getting sufficient amounts of vitamin D, or if supplementation may be indicated–or, in some cases, contraindicated. There can be too much of a good thing especially when it comes to supplementation. Vitamin D toxicity related to excessive long-term intake of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia and related symptoms such as confusion, apathy, vomiting, abdominal pain, pathological calcification, increased thirst and increased urination. It is also important to note that everyone metabolizes vitamin D differently, so some people can experience vitamin D toxicity even at lower doses that are considered safe for the general population. It is always recommended to consult a healthcare practitioner before implementing any new health regimen to see if it is right for you, including vitamin D supplementation.

If you are experiencing symptoms of the “winter blues” or are curious about your vitamin D status or other natural approaches to mental health, you are invited to book a consult with myself or one of my colleagues to discuss your healthcare options.

We look forward to working with you!

In health, Jacalyn Sieben, ND

References:

1. CAMH. (2019). Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Retrieved from: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/ mental-illness-and-addiction-index/seasonal-affective-disorder

2. Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division. (2013). Seasonal affective disorder. Retrieved from: https://cmha.bc.ca/documents/seasonal-affective-disorder-2/

3. Health Canada. (2012). Vitamin d and calcium: Updated dietary reference intakes. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/vitamins-minerals/ vitamin-calcium-updated-dietary-reference-intakes-nutrition.html

4. Marcinowska-Suchowierska E, Kupisz-Urbańska M, Łukaszkiewicz J, Płudowski P and Jones G (2018) Vitamin D Toxicity–A Clinical Perspective. Front. Endocrinol. 9:550. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00550

5. Melrose S. (2015). Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches. Depression research and treatment, 2015, 178564. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/178564

Micronutrient Testing at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine

At Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine we proudly offer Spectracell Micronutrient testing, one of the most comprehensive nutrient tests to assess the nutrient stores in your body that will keep you performing at the top of your game.

The Spectracell Micronutrient test allows your Naturopathic Doctor to assess how well your body utilizes 31 vitamins, minerals, amino/fatty acids, antioxidants, and metabolites (listed below).

Why is this information important?

 Nutritional balance plays a key role in optimal wellness, chronic disease prevention and managing the aging process. Each nutrient in our body is responsible for specific physiological functions that make them unique and irreplaceable. Virtually all metabolic and developmental processes that take place in the body require micronutrients, and strong evidence suggests that subtle vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant deficiencies can contribute to degenerative processes such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As well, evidence suggests that a lack of these vital nutrients may have a profound impact on the body’s immune system. Eating a balanced diet, exercising and taking a multivitamin may not be enough. Every individual is unique and a micronutrient test will allow your Naturopathic Doctor to see where you might be lacking.

Who may benefit from having the Spectracell Micronutrient test?

Spectracell micronutrient testing can be very beneficial for individuals with the following conditions and disease:

            - Cardiovascular disease

            - Diabetes

            - Neurological disorders/Alzheimer’s          

            - Mood disorders

            - Osteoporosis

            - Fertility issues

            - Cancer

 It may also be helpful to get tested if you feel like you are suffering from a nutritional deficiency or just want to stay on top of your health. Some of the signs and symptoms of a nutrition deficiency include: fatigue, anxiety, weight loss or weight gain, loss of appetite, tingling hands, muscle cramping, vomiting, heart flutter, skin conditions, depression, bruising, reduced muscle mass, muscle weakness, diarrhea, hair loss, digestive problems, numbness, nausea, constipation, impaired wound healing, and low libido.

The cost for this test is 620 dollars, which is pricey, but the results may help you save money in others areas by helping you cut out supplements you are currently taking that are not necessary for you at this time, and re-prioritizing the supplements that are truly addressing your body’s needs. For more information on the Spectracell micronutrient test book an appointment to speak to your Naturopathic Doctor or call our office to book in for a sample collection today!

**content adapted from Micronutrient Testing Nutrition at the Core of Personalized Wellness