Finding Balance in Turbulent Times
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Winter invites reflection, but the world is not giving peace. I’m not on the front lines of the unrest sweeping the country, yet I can’t turn a blind eye. If you’re feeling isolated, stressed, or overwhelmed by the flood of information, you’re not alone.
Why a Quarterly Newsletter?
I too feel besieged by the amount of information flooding the brain each day but I feel I have a unique perspective from which to share information related to health and natural medicine in particular.
Starting this year, I’ll share a quarterly roundup that aims to be thoughtful, useful, and, most importantly, not overwhelming. If you would like to sign up for my newsletter list, please do so on my website at the bottom of my homepage.
My perspective comes from nearly 30 years (sheesh!) of clinical work combined with a lifelong study of different traditions in the pursuit of getting in touch with the unseen world. One concept I admire from Buddhism is the idea of the Middle Way. Sharing information from this purview means avoiding rigid, dogmatic extremes and instead meeting each patient (and reader) where they are.
“The Middle Way isn’t about playing both sides; it’s about finding the space in between.”
Prescription Drugs vs. Natural Remedies: The Gray Zone
Two polarizing camps dominate health conversations today:
Anti‑pharma – All prescription drugs are toxic and should be avoided at all costs.
Anti‑supplement – Natural agents are a useless waste of money and can often be harmful.
Both extremes miss the nuance that real health care requires.
What I See in Practice
Life‑saving meds – Antibiotics, insulin, antihypertensives, and many others are indispensable when used correctly.
Smart de‑prescribing – With a prescriber’s guidance, tapering or stopping unnecessary medications can improve quality of life.
Evidence‑based supplements – Many botanicals and nutrients can complement conventional therapy, but they aren’t risk‑free and should be used under the guidance of a professional for the best results.
I recently received a headline from Yale New Haven Health: “Turmeric and 10 Other Popular Supplements That Can Damage Your Liver.” A quick Google search will surface dozens of alarmist articles about natural agents. At the same time, some practitioners claim that any prescription drug is a poison.
Key Factors for Safe Use
Appropriate Dosage – “Megadosing” (taking far more than recommended) is repeatedly linked to liver toxicity. “Natural” does not automatically mean safe; even modest amounts can pose risks for sensitive people. Follow my recommended dosing and if you are going rogue, please do not take more than the label suggests. Because my practice is focused on highly sensitive patients, I often use very low doses, homeopathic doses in many cases, to address sensitivities that contribute to chronic symptoms. It is possible a very low dose is the most appropriate for many of my patients.
Quality and Manufacturing Standards – Choose brands that follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Look for third‑party certifications such as USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab, and verify that the label cites GMP compliance. All of the brands that I recommend have these standards in place, despite the fact they are not legally required–which is a problem!
Health Monitoring & Sourcing – Regular blood work helps detect early signs of organ stress or nutrient imbalance, allowing timely adjustments. This is why follow ups are important on at least a semi-regular basis. Where you buy also matters: large marketplaces like Amazon carry higher risks of near‑expired, mislabeled, or counterfeit products. Purchase directly from reputable manufacturers or trusted specialty stores that prioritize transparent sourcing and proper storage.
Practical Tips for Safer Supplement Use
Start Low, Go Slow – Especially for highly sensitive patients, I often prescribe homeopathic‑level doses.
Check Certifications – GMP, USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab marks are a good sign.
Buy Directly – Marketplace sellers (e.g., Amazon) sometimes ship near‑expired or mislabeled products. They sometimes don’t even contain what they purport to!
Monitor – Routine blood work lets us adjust dosages before problems arise.
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