Naturopathic medicineAndrew Litchy, ND

Andrew Litchy, ND

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)

Registered Naturopathic Doctor in Minnesota

Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Oregon

EducationDoctor of Naturopathic Medicine

National College of Natural Medicine Portland, OR Research focus: designed, conducted several studies on meditation, bodywork with Heart Rate Variability and other outcomes.

Shiatsu Certificate School of Classical Chinese Medicine Portland, OR

BA, Physiology – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Four years as an Emergency Room Technician at Regions Level One Trauma Center.

Activities

Private practice in Edina, MN

Meditation instructor

Faculty: University of Minnesota and the National College of Natural Medicine.

Lifestyle medicine, Pathophysiology, Life Cycles Nutrition

Medical Supervisor at Pillsbury house community clinic

Why naturopathic medicine?

While at Regions, I was in pre-med at the University of Minnesota with an intention to become a MD.

As an emergency room technician, I saw many aspects of conventional medical care.

The best of western medicine

Poor chronic disease management.

When I discovered naturopathic medicine, I saw that it addressed many of the problems of conventional medicine care.

Synthesis• Interest in traditional systems of healing,

naturopathic, meditation, Chinese medicine, homeopathy.

• Interest in research, evidence-based medicine, modern science.

• Frequently, these disciplines are perceived to be in opposition.

• It is vital that the strengths and limitations of each discipline be understood, and integrated.

What is a naturopathic medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is based on a philosophy of care that emphasizes prevention of illness and the healing capacity of each individual patient.

Naturopathic Doctors

Trained in the same diagnosis, pathology, pharmacology etc as conventional doctors (MD, DO).

Order and interpret lab tests.Utilize cutting edge tests, and provide very careful interpretation of results.

Diagnose disease

Incorporate research and science.

NDs are expects in drug/herb interactions.

Naturopathic Principles

First do no Harm

Vis Medicatrix Naturae

Identify and Treat the Cause

Doctor as Teacher

Treat the Whole Person

PreventionWellness

Therapeutic order

1. Identify the conditions for healthID and remove disturbing factors

This is about diet, lifestyle, stressors, food allergens, sleep, infections, and toxins of all kinds.

Institute a more healthful regimenDiet, lifestyle, stress, sleep.

Therapeutic Order

2. Stimulate the healing power of nature (VMN)

Certain supplements, herbs

Hydrotherapy

Homeopathy

Stress reduction - Mind/Body

Acupuncture

Exercise

Nature Cure – sunlight, being in green spaces, being outside.

Therapeutic Order

3. Address weakened or damaged organs or systems

Strengthen immune system

Decrease toxicity

Normalize inflammatory function

Optimize metabolic function– Balance regulatory systems– Enhance regeneration– Harmonize with YOUR life-force.

Therapeutic Order

• 4. Correct structural integrity

• 5. Address pathology with natural substances, modalities, interventions

• 6. Address pathology with pharmaceuticals and synthetic substances

• 7. Suppress or surgically remove pathology.

Basic approach for ICCC

• Specialty testing.

• Improve nutrition.

• GI healing; infection, leaky gut, functional GI conditions.

• Immune system balance.

• Detoxification– Potentially heavy metals, but I do not like to

chelate.– Better effects by supporting other systems

Testing

• Specialty testing.• Allergy testing if elimination diet fails or is

not desired• Organic acids for nutrient status and

screening for other issues: heavy metals, biochemical pathways, genetic problems, GI.

• GI testing– Infections, GI function.

• Immune system function; cytokine levels, NK cells

• Genetic testing– Methylation, detoxification,

• Hormones

Nutrition• Nutrition is core

– Supplements are for healing, food is for living.

• Avoid allergens– Elimination diet, specific carbohydrate, allergy

testing.

• Sugar? Artificial ingredients?

• Whole, organic foods.– Avoid processed foods

Antioxidents

• Oxidative stress is common– Stress– Nutrient def.– Metabolic, genetic issues

• Whole foods, brightly colored veggiesSimple.

• Supplementation– Generic supplementation is not

recommended.

GI Healing

• GI takes several months to heal, however benefits are noticed more quickly

• Avoiding stressors

• Addressing infection.

• Addressing digestive enzymes, stomach acid

• Restoring healthy bacteria– Probiotics, prebiotics, whole foods diet

Immune system balance

• Herbs and other modalities can change the balance of the immune response.

• Sublingual desensitization.• The basics.

• Addressing nutrient deficiencies• Chronic infections, removing intolerances and

allergens.• GI health• Stress

Nervous system

• Amino acids; based on def.

• Calming herbs

• Stress reduction

• Metabolic support

• Other members of ICCC will greatly help this area as well.– Homeopathy, bodywork, movement therapy

Detoxification

• Methylation, other detox pathways

• Reducing exposure

• Stimulating organs of elimination

• Various levels of chelation– Botanicals, ALA, NAC, modified citrus pectin

and more.– DMSA and EDTA are last resorts.

Case

• J. M. 5 yo boy

• Has right sided tick x4 weeks.

• Slight hyperactivity, rages, joint pain, difficulty sleeping, multiple colds per year– Multiple specialists, full neuro-workup.

• Initial - Positive Lyme by PCR and ELISA.

• 3 months later - Food allergies; wheat/gluten, protein, various veggies, dairy.

Case

• Naturopathic and conventional antimicrobials reduced ticks, but did not fully resolve.

• With removal of major food intolerances and GI healing protocol ticks and most other symptoms completely resolved.

• 12 months after initial visit, no symptoms.

Case

• M. M. 7yo boy

• Difficulty concentrating, poor digestion, picky eater, multiple mood issues. ADHD?

• Initial – food allergy testing

• Removed major allergens

• Whole foods diet

• Basic supplementation– Fish oil, multi, probiotics

• 3 month follow up– Mood improved, problems resolved at

school, happier home life– Noticed definite mood and behavior

changes with reintroducing some foods.

Case

TJ 45 yo woman

Eye lid edema, severe abdominal pain/IBS sx. Unknown cause.

Testing: GI panel, allergy panel.

Removed allergenic foods, remove sulphites from diet enzymes, probiotics, GI healing protocol

After three months, no more symptoms.

Case• EL 26 yo male

• ADHD syx entire life, depression, multiple digestive complaints.

• Elimination diet, homeopathy (Agaricus M), botanicals, GI healing protocol.

• Over 9 month period, removed and reintroduced most potential allergens. Could not tolerate gluten.

• ADHD symptoms, digestion, and mental emotional symptoms were resolved completely.

Others

• W.T – 50 yo maleright sided abdominal pain: cholesterol went from 240s to 150s in six months. Elimination diet, Go healing.

• KL – 56 yo female palpitations x6 years, getting problematic. MD, would not take meds. Tincture, magnesium, EFAs. In two months completely resolved, no recurrence.

• MB – 24 yo male. Eczema, depression, indigestion fatigue. Elimination diet, botanicals, GI healing. Occasional eczema, but energy is great, depression is resolved.

• Sun intolerance

• Anything gastrointestinal

• Chronic fatigue, fibro, lyme.