Naturopathic medicine

Andrew Litchy, ND
Andrew Litchy, ND

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)

Registered Naturopathic Doctor in Minnesota

Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Oregon

 Education
Doctor 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

Prevention
Wellness
 Therapeutic order
1. Identify the conditions for health
ID and remove disturbing factors
This is about diet, lifestyle, stressors, food allergens, sleep,
infections, and toxins of all kinds.
Institute a more healthful regimen
Diet, 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 veggies

Simple.

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.