Endocrinology and The Naturopathic Endocrinologist:

It is well known that every biological process that happens in the human body depends upon the various hormones that are produced and then secreted by the body’s endocrine glands. These hormones are known as the body’s chemical messengers, which are the main network of communication and regulates specific bodily functions and maintains homeostasis.

An endocrinologist is a medical doctor that specializes in the study of the various glands and organs and the hormones they produce as well as the biochemical process that makes the body function and this includes the process of how the body converts food into energy and more. This specialty can focus on children as well as adults. An endocrinologist that focuses on children’s endocrine system is called a Paediatric Endocrinologist. The scope of practice of the endocrinologist is vast in diagnosing and treating many conditions associated with hormonal imbalance within the human body.

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Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology:

The fundamental approach to the treatment of any endocrine disorder should be to restore functionality of the gland and or organ. There are two approaches a physician can take towards the balancing of hormones, namely replacement and functional. The replacement approach would be by prescribing synthetic hormones as a means of therapy. The functional approach repairs a more converse approach to restoring proper function and at all costs avoid synthetic hormone replacement therapy by analysing the patients’ diet and lifestyle as well as taking into account the patients’ full previous medical history. This section falls well into the category of Naturopathy for the 21st Century.

The endocrine system is directly responsible for the regulation of appetite as well as nutrient absorption, storage, usage and even the reproductive system. Proper and adequate nutrition is vital for the functioning of all the glands in the endocrine system.

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The Evolution of Endocrinology and Naturopathic Endocrinology:

The history of endocrinology stems as far back as the eighteenth century. The development over the centuries can be clearly distinguished into these periods, first being the description of endocrinology, the second being analytical endocrinology, and the third being the contemporary period or synthetic endocrinology.

Naturopathic Endocrinology will also show how people from simplistic walks of life will have far less disorders and diseases of the endocrine system due to mainly relying on natural foods as their main source of nutrition. The reason is that the foods are free from various chemicals such as pesticides herbicides, GMO’S and preservatives. As Hippocrates said, “Let food by thy medicine, and medicine thy food”.

The history of endocrinology and the study of hormones and their functions date as far back as 400 BC, when Hippocrates, “known as the Father of medicine”, discovered and announced his “humoral hypothesis”.8 Naturopathic Endocrinology and specifically Naturopathic Medicine is far from any new field of medicine, and as we glance back at some of the teachings of the “father of medicine,” Hippocrates (460-370 BC), we can clearly identify and relate to the modern naturopathic doctor. The ‘Hippocratic Oath’ is recited by all physicians, of all the various types of medical specialties once they have completed their training and awarded the title of “Doctor”. One of the most profound principles Hippocrates practiced was based on the very same naturopathic philosophy practiced today which is “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food” This allows us to remember the importance of proper nutrition and having the correct balance in order to maintain healthy bodies as well as to heal itself and remain disease-free. The term “physician” was founded but Hippocrates himself. It signifies one who respects nature and one who applies her principles of healing through the use of baths, obtaining enough rest and proper nutrition Naturopathic Endocrinology has become increasingly more popular due to the Interrelationship between food and hormones. Restorative medicine is part of the Naturopathic Endocrinology’s primary focus as well as diet related healing and ultimately restoring the functionality of the affected glands or organs. The use of herbs and nutrition to counteract the disorders and diseases of the endocrine system is therefore one of the most important fields and specialties in medicine today. Naturopathic medicine differs from conventional medicine by utilizing the healing power of nature to treat and prevent disease as well as maintain a healthy body. The greatest advantage a patient receives by using a naturopathic physician is a variety of treatment options that is far more comprehensive than what is available in conventional medicine.

Naturopathy approaches the patient from a holistic perspective supporting the body’s inherent ability to self-heal with the support of nature and our creator Almighty God. A Naturopathic Physician undergoes comprehensive education and training and is able to offer a wide variety of treatment options and approach or a combination of approaches in order to find the most effective solution for the patient.

Extensively skilled in many effective natural approaches from around the world, a naturopathic doctor will carefully assess the patient’s condition, then develop a treatment plan that best meets the patient’s needs. The use of supplements, nutrients, detoxification, bio-identical hormone treatment therapy enables the ND to implement a customized treatment plan which can reach far beyond the confines of conventional medicine.18 “Homeostasis” is a term used in the medical field to describe the body when in a state of equilibrium or a “steady-state.”19 This is the ideal physiological goal for all and achieving this enables the body to function optimally and disease free. The term “Homeostasis” was coined by Walter Bradford Cannon in 1926, who studied the effects of stress and emotional stimuli on the digestive process as well as emergency function of the adrenal glands in counteracting vital threats to the Organ.

The principles of Naturopathic Endocrinology are based upon the avoidance of chemicals or exogenous hormones and rather to attempt to understand the root cause and treat the cause naturally and or with the use of herbs and God’s 8 laws of health, ultimately to restore functionality to the affected gland or organ, therefore enabling the body to produce and secrete hormones naturally and allow the endocrine system to regulate and function optimally According to an article published by Theresa Dale in September 2012, (Dale, 2012) new research and development is continuously emerging in all spheres of medicine today along 10 with new diseases and disorders or variations of them. It is estimated in 2012 that more than two million women are currently making use of synthetic, natural (plant-derived), and synthesized (bio-identical) hormone replacement therapy.

The most important first step to take both as a patient and the physician is to test the base line hormone levels before any treatment plan can commence.21 A Naturopathic approach to the various hormone deficiencies or excess is to incorporate diet, nutrition, lifestyle and stress levels. According to ancient beliefs, the key to good health was based on what Hippocrates described as “the four humors” or “fluids”. This being: yellow bile, black bile, blood and phlegm. According to an article By Traci Pedersen May 09, 201822

The four humors were related to the following:

• Yellow bile is related to the choleric disposition and the qualities of hot and dry. It is associated with fire, summer, the gallbladder, and childhood.

• Black bile is related to the melancholic disposition and the qualities of cold and dry. It is associated with earth, winter, the spleen, and old age.

• Blood is connected to the sanguine disposition and the qualities of hot and moist. It is linked to air, spring, the heart, and adolescence.

• Phlegm is related to the phlegmatic disposition and the qualities of cold and moist. It is connected to water, the brain and maturity. Although these ancient theories may be strange in modern medicine, they paved the way toward the concept that disease is directly related to both the internal environment of the body as well as lifestyle and nutrition and well as a whole. In an interview by Dr. Alan Christianson, ND, he confirmed that today more patients are turning to natural medicinal solutions specifically in the field of endocrinology and more specific emphasis placed on metabolic disorders which once again refers back to nutrition and the philosophy of Hippocrates of food being our medicine and medicine being our food. According to Dr. Guy Citrin, ND, he had found that there is a distinct correlation between the gut microbiome and the endocrine system.

Some of the most common symptoms that are presented by patients are as follows:

• Heartburn

• Bloating

• Indigestion

• Constipation / diarrhea

• Irregular and or painful menses

• Low libido

• Anxiety

• Stress

• Fatigue

• Joint pain

Since discovering the distinct correlation between the gut microbiome and the endocrine system, the treating of symptoms associated with one another has had much success and is now safe to say that the endocrine system and the microbiome can be considered one and the same. We can now refer to this as the “microbial endocrine system.” Studies have shown that the gut microbiome imbalance has a direct effect on the endocrine system by affecting levels of dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.23 It is clear to see how the practise of medicine has evolved over the centuries, the teachings of Hippocrates have echoed through time. Hence the Hippocratic Oath (see below) that every physician takes still today and practices under “Primum non noncere”, “First do no harm”