Dr. Aggie Matusik - Naturopathic Physician

05/27/2020

🌿It is Naturopathic Medicine Week !⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
🌿As an ND my goal is to help others improve their health by using safe and effective natural therapies, through lifestyle education and use of medication when necessary. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
🌿What I love about practicing naturopathic medicine is that it truly looks at each patient as an individual and each plan can look different for each person, even if the health concern is similar. ⁣
⁣
🌿It is a privilege to be able to do what I love and to be able to work with so many patients over the years. ⁣Some of my patients and their families have been a part of my practice for +10 years! 💚⁣⁣
⁣
🌿Do you know someone who would benefit from seeing a Naturopathic Physician to improve their health? Tag them below! ⁣⁣
⁣
🌿BC Naturopathic Association is giving away a gift card for $175.00 to be put towards an initial or return visit with an ND in BC. Only BC residents are eligible. You can enter the contest on their website and I have provided a link in my bio. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣

⁣⁣

05/17/2020

“I’m so tired”⁣
⁣
One of these sentences that I hear too often from my patients. ⁣
⁣
🌟Who wouldn’t want to have abundant energy? 🌟How do we figure out why there is so much fatigue going around? ⁣
⁣
I spend time investigating root causes of fatigue in my patients. Some considerations include:⁣
🌟SLEEP - one of the most important factors is QUALITY sleep. Whether there is inability to stay asleep or frequent waking- these can be addressed differently. ⁣
🌟NUTRITION - iron is likely most important here and I often see it low in women, teens and kids. Other important nutrients are B12 and vitamin D. ⁣
🌟DIET - too much sugar, too much coffee... you get my drift. These are energy robbers. Food sensitivities can also cause fatigue especially if it occurs after a meal. Certain diets and food restrictions can also result in various deficiencies that result in low energy. ⁣
🌟MEDICATION - certain medication, such as metformin or long term use of antacid meds can cause B12 deficiency and hence low energy.⁣
⁣
There are other reasons for fatigue such as: undiagnosed or untreated medical conditions (hypothyroid, autoimmune, chronic infections etc.), chronic stress or . ⁣
⁣
The point is investigating and asking detailed questions will often determine which area is in need of most support. Correcting the underlying issues will help bring the energy into your day! 💫
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣

05/13/2020

Good news, Health Canada has approved a test that looks for COVID-19 antibodies which will help to determine how many people have been exposed to the virus in Canada. There are many questions that remain in regards to this infection. For example - Does mild illness produce enough antibodies for protection? How long after illness does one have antibody protection (does immunity wade over time and how quickly does this happen) etc. If you are interested in getting tested, it is likely that guidelines will soon come out as to who gets tested first. In my prior post it looks like BCCDC is looking for volunteers through an online survey.

Health Canada says it has authorized the first COVID-19 serological test for use in the country to detect antibodies specific to the virus.

05/13/2020

Do you live in BC? BCCDC is currently conducting a survey until the end of May as to how COVID-19 has impacted your day to day life in BC. At the end of the survey you get to check a box if you would be willing to have your blood collected to look for antibodies to COVID-19 to determine if you have already been infected but may have had a mild or asymptomatic illness. You will need your PHN to complete the survey. Thank you to my colleague Loreen Dawson, ND for alerting me about this.

B.C. has flattened the curve and we are  preparing to carefully re-start services, the economy and our lives. Your input is important as we develop our action plans.

05/06/2020

⚡️S T R E S S⚡️ ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Current times have most of us adapting to a new way of life, at least for now. For some this may be an easy transition, for others - a daily struggle balancing work, family life, financial instability or other challenges. ⁣
⁣⁣
How do we keep calm and carry on? ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
For me I have found the little things are the most valuable in helping me feel balanced. ⁣
⁣
✨a walk outside with just me and baby ⁣
✨keeping my windows wide open on sunny days⁣
✨keeping our schedules simple, yes there was an all day(s) Netflix marathon at one point⁣
✨eating a healthy breakfast - starting my day this way as there is a chance later meals may be less than perfect⁣
✨turning on my diffuser- orange scent helps to keep my energy and mood lifted⁣
✨taking it one day at a time, feeling gratitude I am able to stay home with my 3 babies at this time even though they drive me nuts most days ⁣
⁣
Also how amazing does this flower bath look? I mean just looking at it gives me a sense of peace and calm. 🌸🌼🛁🌼🌸⁣
⁣
I would love to hear about your strategies that are helping you de-stress at this time. ⁣
⁣
📷⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⁣
⁣

05/03/2020

💫How to make tea more tasty and boost its health benefits 💫⁣
⁣
Feel free to use one or all in your cup! ⁣
- fresh ginger - grated or sliced ⁣
- fresh lemon - squeezed⁣
- fresh turmeric - grated⁣
- local honey - stirred in⁣
- apple cider vinegar - 1/2 tsp
- favourite tea bag or loose tea blend⁣
⁣
Currently I like to make this with immune and calming herb tea blends.
⁣
What’s your favourite evening ritual?⁣
⁣
#⁣tea
⁣

04/26/2020

Call it a snack, lunch or dinner - I made these today and they were AMAZING. Seriously good and I am making another batch for later as we speak. ⁣
⁣
I love the textures and colours of this dish - full of antioxidants and fiber. ⁣ Yams are a good source of vitamin c.
⁣
- Peel and quarter yams + add olive oil, salt, pepper and my fave little turmeric powder. Put tin to oven to roast for about 20 min at 380. ⁣
- In the meantime chop up green onion, cilantro, parsley. ⁣
- About 3/4 of way through open the oven and sprinkle the chopped greens + add about 1/2 can of drained and rinsed black beans on top, a tbsp of sesame seeds and 1-2 tbsp of pumpkin seeds or chopped walnuts (I used walnuts)⁣
- another 10 min and take out of the oven and add a sprinkle more of parsley, cilantro, green onion and I also added arugula at this stage⁣
- top with a sauce - for mine I used hurricane sriracha (🌶) you can tone it down with plain yogurt, mayo or sour cream (vegan if you prefer no dairy)⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣

04/16/2020

Today on my blog some more tips and resources for staying calm and grounded.⁣
⁣
Emotions can run high, day to day or even hour to hour. We are all being asked to be stretched beyond our comfort zone without many answers of what’s to come. Allow yourself to feel the emotions then do one or two things that help you feel centered again. ⁣

Here are the highlights:⁣
- keep a routine of your sleep 🌜and wake cycle 🌞⁣
- move your body daily, take advantage of free online classes⁣
- focus on nutrition to support adrenal health⁣
- use herbs like ashwaghandha, holy basil and lavender 🌿⁣
- consider l-Theanine, magnesium, melatonin as needed⁣
*consult your ND⁣
- has online supports including a counselling ⁣program
⁣
What have you found to be most helpful for your mental health during this time?
Feel free to share below ⬇️⁣

Poetry and image from ⁣

⁣ ⁣
⁣

As we continue to navigate the changes that have occurred in our lives over the last few weeks, it is...

04/14/2020

It’s a guac kind of day 🌞🥑🥑🥑🌞⁣
⁣
Just want to show you a before picture with the most simple yet satisfying guac I make.⁣
⁣
Basically scoop 1-2 avocados into a bowl.⁣
Add a little extra virgin olive oil.⁣
Add some chopped onion (typically I use red BUT we’re staying home so haven’t been to grocery store and all I had was cooking onion)⁣
Add a dash of salt and pepper⁣
Add a squeeze of 🍋⁣
And my secret ingredient: a bit of cumin⁣
⁣
Serve with tortilla chips or chopped veg. ⁣
⁣
Avocados are an awesome source of fiber (4.5 grams per half avocado!), vitamin E and B vitamins. ⁣
Do you have a guacamole secret ingredient?⁣
⁣

04/10/2020

Since vitamin C seems to be a hot topic when it comes to "immune boosting", I wrote a post on my blog about the use of vitamin C in general infections such as the common cold.

I talk about which populations might benefit the most from supplementing and how much.

I also give a small update on the current use of intravenous vitamin C in hospital settings for patients with COVID-19.

I think I covered it all, but if you have any questions, I will try and answer them below.

Vitamin C has become a hot commodity these days. The sales of Vitamin C products increased dramatically in the first...

04/07/2020

Of course we don't know yet any specific vitamins that may prevent COVID 19 infection, but we do have evidence for the usefulness of Vitamin D in reducing the risk of other types of chest infections. Vitamin D is easily available from the SUN! But..lets face it, you need 20 minutes of good sun exposure (as in bathing suit) daily to meet needs. People who are older don't produce as much as younger people in same conditions. People who wear sunscreen also will block production. How much to supplement depends on each person, I would not recommend over 2000 IU per day if you can't double check dosage recommendation with your ND.

“We have evidence to support a role for Vitamin D in the prevention of chest infections, particularly in older adults who have low levels. In one study Vitamin D reduced the risk of chest infections to half in people who took supplements. Though we do not know specifically of the role of Vitamin D in COVID infections, given its wider implications for improving immune responses and clear evidence for bone and muscle health, those cocooning and other at-risk cohorts should ensure they have an adequate intake of Vitamin D."

Study reveals vitamin D could help to boost the immune system response and has been shown to help prevent other respiratory infections.

04/02/2020

Scratching your head as to what to make for lunch? 🤔 Now that we are all home all the time, coming up with healthy meal ideas that everyone will love can be a bit tricky. Here is one of my favourite quick meals full of fiber and vitamin c. ⁣
⁣
✨chop a medium sized onion and add to pan with olive oil, as its simmering throw a tsp of turmeric powder in 🧅⁣
✨chop up 1-2 heads/peeled stems of broccoli🥦🥦🥦⁣
✨add a bit more olive oil and turmeric (why not)⁣
✨let it cook on medium stirring frequently⁣
✨5 minutes in stir in 3 tbsp of coconut cream 🥥🥥🥥(love ) keep stirring and keep cooking ⁣
✨drain and rinse a can of chickpeas and throw it in, add MORE coconut cream 🥥🥥🥥 ⁣
✨cook a few more minutes so that broccoli is not overcooked, salt and pepper to taste⁣
✨serve over rice or lettuce for lower carb option⁣
⁣
Enjoy!⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣