Naturopath Deanna Copland - Dunedin, Balclutha & Gore

What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a primary health care system that is based on a philosophy that distinguishes it from current mainstream medical practice. The goal of naturopathic practice is to treat any underlying disorders and to seek the cause of illness as well as to restore normal body function by enhancing the body's own inherent healing abilities. The naturopathic physician views symptoms of disease as warning signals of improper functioning of the body and/or unfavourable lifestyle habits. It is suitable for everyone, from infants to the aged.

Naturopathy uses safe and effective evidence-based natural therapies to support and stimulate the healing power of nature in a gentle but efficient manner. These therapies include herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as other modalities.

A range of methods are used, and which one is chosen depends upon the individual – no two treatments are the same. Naturopaths are the preventive health-care specialists. Prevention of disease is accomplished through education and a wellness lifestyle that supports and encourages radiant health.

Dee can help educate you about

• How you can achieve optimal health and fitness
• How you can avoid premature chronic ill health by making the right lifestyle choices
• How you can best deal with life's everyday challenges by reducing stress
• How and what to eat & drink
• How you can reduce premature or accelerated ageing
• You will be encouraged and educated to help you make healthy choices

Dee has developed many handouts over the past 8 years, and these are a reflection of many hours spent in research as well as in the clinic with patients.

Understanding what is happening to you and being given the tools to regain health is very empowering. You deserve to live a happy, healthy and fulfilled life.

Dee's Top Health Tips

1. Drink warm water and lemon juice each morning before breakfast to stimulate digestion.
2. Eat 2 serves of fruit and 6-9 different veggies per day (organic where possible).
3. Eat the protein portion of your meal first.
4. Include 'good' fats (fish, avocado, nuts, seeds or flaxseed oil) with every meal.
5. Avoid drinking excessively before or during a meal as this can reduce enzyme activity. Enzymes help to break down food.
6. Ensure you drink plenty of fluid throughout the day (herbal teas, water and/or soups) - approximately 25mL per kilogram of body weight.
7. Take a high quality omega 3 and a multi vitamin supplement daily.
8. Be active. Exercise at least 30 minutes every day. Exercise works the diaphragm, which massages the intestines improving digestion. It regulates appetite, blood sugar and metabolism.  See below if you don't think you have time to do this...
9. Get adequate sleep - your body needs sleep to repair and regenerate.
10. Eat according to your blood type.
11. Shop for fresh food regularly and keep your pantry stocked with good staples. When you prepare food, make double and freeze meals for future convenience. When preparing dinner, make extra for lunch the following day.
12. Avoid overeating. Overeating occurs when we skip meals, eat too quickly or dont satisfy our taste buds. Overeating is a major cause of obesity and stresses the liver and digestive tract. Spread meals evenly through the day and try to have your biggest meal at lunch time. Our digestive fire peaks around noon, when it is most efficient at coverting food into energy.
13. Seek high quality nutrition and health coaching.

“I don’t have any time”

There are 168 hours in a week; 40 are used at work, 56 for sleep, leaving 72 hours of time.
To improve your health, you only need to find a minuscule 3.5 hours for exercise a week.

This equates to 2% of your time, or 30 minutes a day