Discover how Dr. Saam can meet the needs of alternative medical care for your family.
Alternative medicine refers to treatments or therapies that are gaining greater mainstream acceptance as a means of encouraging whole-body healing and wellness.
- From vitamin supplements to dietary changes, there are many treatments that fall under the category of alternative medicine
- Each approach is meant to supplement, not replace, standard medical treatments
Bioidentical Hormones/Hormone Therapy
Involving the use of natural hormones or compounds that have the same molecular and chemical makeup as hormones occurring naturally within your body, bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) is sometimes recommended to correct hormone imbalances associated with age. BHT may also be used to address imbalances created by stress and poor lifestyle choices. Some of the potential benefits of BHT include:
- Improved mood
- Increased muscle mass
- Better sleep patterns
- Higher bone density
Vitamin Therapy
The use of certain vitamins to correct nutritional imbalances and improve overall health is referred to as vitamin therapy. This approach to wellness has many potential benefits depending on the combination of vitamins recommended. For instance, vitamin B1, or thiamine, may improve digestion and increase circulation; vitamin B12 may reduce symptoms associated with pregnancy; and vitamin D may reduce inflammation associated with arthritis. Vitamin therapy typically involves the use of supplements to compensate for nutrients you can’t get from diet alone, which often becomes a problem for older patients due to age-related changes in metabolism and digestion.
Dietary Programs
From reducing the risk of heart disease to naturally controlling blood sugar levels, there are many health benefits associated with maintaining a healthy diet. Dietary programs can be easily tailored to specific needs, with such programs often involving healthy portion sizes and nutritious substitutions that are low in unhealthy fats and sugars. According to the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Agricultural, a healthy diet includes a mix of:
- Fruits and leafy, green vegetables
- Lean meats, such as poultry and pork
- Whole grains
- Proteins, such as those found in nuts, fish, and beans
- Nutrient-rich dairy products
- Legumes
Lifestyle Changes
Excess weight, added stress, and a lack of regular exercise are just some of the lifestyle factors that have an ongoing impact on your health. In addition to traditional treatments, Dr. Saam may recommend lifestyle changes to help manage certain conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. It generally takes about two to three months for new behaviors to become automatic, although lifestyle changes can be incorporated over time to increase the likelihood that you’ll stick with the suggested adjustments, which typically include:
- Getting at least 20-30 minutes of daily exercise
- Making an effort to eat healthy throughout the day
- Developing effective ways to cope with stress
- Adopting a personalized exercise or fitness routine
The purpose of recommendations such as these is to treat the entire patient rather than simply relieving a set of symptoms or focusing on the treatment of a specific condition. Many of these alternative approaches to medicine often have long-term health benefits in terms of the management of existing conditions, the prevention of future health problems, and overall physical and mental wellness.