Electrolyte balance is essential for optimal function of all of our systems. This episode covers the electrolytes you should pay close attention to during and after treatment.  We're not talking designer drinks or influencer hacks to your biology,  just practical knowledge and tips to help you balance your electrolytes.  Join Tina and Leah as they talk about how to know if you have imbalanced electrolytes and what you can do to monitor and optimize them. 

Prior episodes related to this episode:
Calcium: The Low Down and the High Points
Magnesium: The Goldilocks Nutrient?

Relevant medical papers:
A brief review of electrolytes [Stat Pearls]
Electrolytes during platinum-based chemotherapies

Products we mention: (If you purchase, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.)
Pedialyte products
Oral Rehydration Salts by TriOral

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Ginger "root" has been used for thousands of years. Technically a rhizome, not a root, ginger's modern-day claim to fame is its ability to prevent the onset of nausea. Ginger is so reliable and safe that it's been studied to prevent nausea during pregnancy as well as chemo-induced nausea.  But that is just the beginning of the benefits of ginger. It can be used to support immune function and lower cardiovascular risk, among its many uses. Join Tina & Leah as they explore the most reliable ways to use ginger from a culinary and medicinal perspective.

A review of 109 randomized controlled trials on the use of ginger
The history of gingerbread (from The Spruce)

Some products mentioned in this episode: (If you decide to purchase, we may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you.)
Ginger People products
Reeds Ginger Ale
Tummy drops (Pineapple and Spicy Ginger are Leah’s favorites!) - Mild or Strong

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Joint pain is common, but that doesn't mean you have to suffer! There are so many natural remedies to control and relieve the discomfort. Whether you are preventing joint pain during treatment or you have ongoing arthritis-type pain, Tina & Leah talk about ways to find relief. We even tackle the tough-to-treat joint pain from aromatase inhibitors (yes, there are things you can do!). Sometimes, the answer is already in your kitchen!

Links to prior episodes we mention:
Turmeric
Brain Fog
Sammy Peterson, RD, CSO

Rebecca Katz- nutrition, recipes, etc.- her website and her cookbooks.

Aromatase Inhibitors and Vitamin D in your blood.
Exercise to reduce the joint pain from aromatase inhibitors.
Community acupuncture can keep your cost for acupuncture way down.

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We've all heard that "the dose makes the poison." Nowhere is this a more apt saying than with nutmeg.  Hey, don't get us wrong, just a wee bit of nutmeg can help you tolerate some of those holiday food indulgences! Nutmeg is warming, has anti-parasite and pain-relieving properties, and can be used topically for pain relief.  Join us as we touch on some history and give you our takes on nutmeg: the spice, the medicine, the poison.  Oh, and go ahead and share this episode with someone who would enjoy it! Maybe a friend who's a chef or a baker?

Did you know that nutmeg was a commodity so precious it was traded for Manhattan? From serving as a sleep aid (insomniacs chickens?) to its pain-relieving effects, nutmeg has lots of potential as a medicinal spice. Just remember, while nutmeg may enhance your holiday season, moderation is key, and it's always advisable to consult a professional before using higher doses of nutmeg as medicine.

Books we mention: (If you purchase, we make a small commission at no cost to you.)
Jill Stansbury's Botanical Medicine for Herbalists (formulas and how to)
A Modern Herbal, the Maude Grieves Herbal Book (originally printed in ....

Recipes:
Medieval Cookies from Atlas Obscura
Golden Milk Recipe from our blog

MEDICINAL USE:
Anti-diarrheal and Sleep inducing effects
Reduction of colon cancer (in rats)
Traditional Users: A Modern Herbal by Maude Grieves - botanical.com (FREE!)
Ayurvedic perspective of nutmeg

TOXICITY:

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'Tis the season! Pine trees are everywhere! From vitamin C to turpentine (yes, the paint thinner!), pine trees give us a lot to talk about. Listen in as Tina & Leah chat about the uses and cautions of the ubiquitous pine tree in this holiday minisode. And don't forget... hit those 5 stars and send this episode to someone you think would enjoy it! Thanks for listening!!

Memorial Sloan-Kettering's summary of pine bark
A lovely read on the medicinal uses of pine (and a recipe)
The science behind Forest Bathing- what it does, how it does it
Pine essential oil components induce sleep (technical paper)
Pycnogenol: WebMD's take on it
Turpentine's history in medicine

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It's that time of year! Cranberries are in season! There's a good chance you'll sit down to some cranberry dishes or drinks during the holidays. Maybe this episode can be fodder for conversation? ("Yes, Uncle Frank, those pics are... something. That chicken nugget really does look like Elvis. A-hem, how about this cranberry sauce? Did you know... ") 

In this holiday minisode, Tina & Leah chat about the history, the culinary, and the medicinal uses of cranberries. So, what are you waiting for? Hit that play button! And remember to give us a 5-star review.  :)   (We appreciate it!)

26 ways to use a bag of cranberries (warning: not all of them are naturopath-approved)
The Cranberry Blitzen Mocktail Recipe (by Leah!)
The Festive Cranberry Shrub Leah mentions in the episode
Orange-cranberry, gluten-free biscotti recipe (by our former guest, Amy Rothenberg, ND)

More technical info on cranberries and their effects:
Sloan-Kettering review of cranberries as medicine
Review of phytochemicals in cranberries (proanthocyanidins and such)
Cranberries for Urinary Tract Infections(UTIs)- the latest Cochran Review (2023)
The mechanism  of UTI prevention

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Everyone has heard a myth or two about cancer (hello, sugar!) The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published eight "Myths and Facts About Cancer." Some of the myths they brought up were ones we've heard from patients, others...kind of cringey. We thought we should tackle them one by one. Not surprisingly, there is often a vein of truth that keeps these so-called myths alive.

Tina and Leah have decades of experience as naturopathic physicians and have sifted through the data, so you don't have to! Just hit "play" and enjoy the show! We promise it's entertaining,  at the very least.

ASCO's 8 Myths and Facts About Cancer
Spider Legs in Bubble Gum?
Oh, that's a myth, alright.  Link to the truth re: spider legs in bubble gum.
Link to our previous episode on sugar--  E58: Does Sugar Feed Cancer?

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Herbal medicine is part of our daily lives. Coffee, tea, soup, salads... we are already consuming plants, and many are medicinal. Walking in nature and gardening, these are also aspects of plant medicine.

Listen to the latest episode of The Cancer Pod, where Tina and Leah chat with Chanchal Cabrera, MSc, FNMIH, RHT, (RH) AHG , whose career as a medical herbalist with a specialty in holistic oncology stretches over 35 years. You’re in for a treat when you tune in to hear the inspiring conversation about the power of plant medicine.

Order a copy of Chanchal Cabrera’s book!  Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach (2023)
The book that inspired Tina and Leah: The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra
Learn how to integrate herbs into your life from Chanchal - Shift Network

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We talked with Dr. Lise Alschuler about the three most important things to reduce cancer risk and its recurrence. With almost 30 years as a clinician, as well as a cancer survivor herself, Dr. Alschuler is an authority on the topic. Join Tina & Leah in this not-to-be-missed episode. Where else will you find three naturopathic physicians giving out reliable advice on cancer risk reduction?

More about Dr. Lise Alschuler

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Does a higher BMI sometimes lead to better outcomes? Is BMI  what we should be using to measure obesity? Whether you are considered obese, overweight, normal weight, or underweight... your BMI can be misleading. Tina & Leah delve into the details and give you some advice to achieve the ultimate goal: living your best life as long as you possibly can!

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Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today!

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