Natural Awakenings Charlotte - May 2021 Issue

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

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INTEGRATIVE WOMEN'S WELLNESS

5 TOP HEALTH CONCERNS

Bodywork Therapy Improve Your Workouts and Recovery

SPECIAL EDITION

Women’s Wellness

May/Early June 2021 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

CHARLOTTE EDITION PUBLISHER Shannon McKenzie DESIGN & PRODUCTION Patrick Floresca AD DESIGN Helene Leininger

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letter from publisher

Past Perfect

T

his month presents a quandary for me. There are a number of issues about which I need to make a decision, but I find myself stuck in considering-theoptions mode, not making any decisions at all. Buying a new cell phone, for instance, should be a relatively simple task— but not when I should have bought a new phone a year ago, and now, with a cracked screen and an extremely limited battery life, the issue has come to a head.

The problem is that I want to buy the absolutely best cell phone for me. I don’t need the latest technology, but I do want something of quality that will last, that updates quickly and that lets me do the things I want to do without necessarily knowing in advance what those things are. For example, I now know that my current cell phone has a limited camera, but I only knew that after noticing my son could take better pictures with his phone.

At a higher level, I don’t want to make a mistake, have regrets and be angry with myself.

It’s a lot of pressure, thinking through every potential future scenario to lessen the likelihood of regret. It’s also quite perfectionistic and unrealistic thinking. The good news is I’ve seen that tendency in myself for a while now.

So I will buy a new cell phone this week, knowing I did my research. If issues arise, I will have compassion for myself by acknowledging I couldn’t possibly have anticipated everything that could go wrong. And finally I will be satisfied that I have a really great camera.

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert

Wishing you a perfection-free month of Mother’s Day,

Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs

Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy

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Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com © 2021 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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Contents

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 50 healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

14

14 INTEGRATIVE

17

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do

17 THE GUT FEELING ON MENTAL HEALTH

At Carolinas Natural Health Center

18 CAROLINAS WEIGHT

18

LOSS INSTITUTE

On Weight Loss and Female Hormones

20 STAY FIT WITH

BODYWORK THERAPY

Enhance Workout Performance and Recovery with Massage

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 704-499-3327 or email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com. Deadline for ads: the 9th of the month.

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Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

22 DEVAKI LINDSEY BERKSON

20

on Bioidentical Hormones for Long-Term Health

DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 10 health briefs 12 global briefs 20 fit body 22 wise words 24 resource guide 26 gaston county

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natural guide

May/Early June 2021

7

news briefs

Consider Readings to Attain Life’s Purpose

A

my Gray-Cunningham, both an Akashic Records Soul Realignment and Advanced Certified Soul practitioner, can provide Akashic Record readings to help clear away emotional and spiritual obstacles when moving through these challenging times. Along with providing free, 15-minute consultations, she is also offering women a 20 percent discount on Soul Realignment readings this month.

“Have you ever asked yourself, ‘What is my life purpose?’ or thought you were meant to do more with your life, but were at a loss as to what it could be—you’re not alone,” says Gray-Cunningham, also a reiki practitioner and integrative health coach. “Women especially experience these feelings during transitional life periods such as divorce, becoming empty nesters, or even job loss.”

She attests that by clearing blocks and other restrictions, one can gain awareness and understanding of who one is at the soul level and how God created us to manifest it and alleviate emotional burdens. It frees one to start taking action on soul-inspired dreams and to step into one’s divinity.

Other goals can include manifesting the man of one’s dreams, a career that enables one to be financially free and traveling to places one only dared to dream about. “If you can imagine it, you can manifest it,” she adds.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 704-236-1413, email Amy@AmyGrayCunningham.com or visit www.AmyGrayCunningham.com. See ad, page 22.

For the Love of Dutch Dog Food Special Offer

F

or the Love of Dutch, which provides ready-to-serve, wholesome, natural, handcrafted dog food made with fresh, seasonal produce and sustainably sourced meat from local Carolina farms, is making a special offer for readers to improve the diets of their four-legged family members. Readers can obtain a 15 percent discount on all orders of their small-batch stews made from nutrient-rich ingredients including organ meat that saves farmers’ food waste.

Weekly food orders, which need to be placed no later than noon on Mondays, are delivered to customers’ homes throughout the Charlotte area including in Mooresville, Gastonia, Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Waxhaw and Matthews between 1 and 5 p.m. on Wednesdays to ensure that all produce and meats are served in their optimal states.

Founder and owner Christi Busch, a certified reiki practitioner who has raised four Basset Hounds, is a fierce advocate for sustainably raised, locally sourced farms and farmers that make bringing her wholesome and healthy approach to families more possible. She also volunteers for Carolina Basset Hound Rescue, through which she adopted her latest pup, Ernie, and she earned a Canine Nutrition Certification from the Academy of Natural Health Science in 2019. Busch will be at the Bark at the Park event in Rock Hill, South Carolina on May 1 from 1-4 p.m. and encourages readers to stop by the For The Love Of Dutch tent.

To place an order, visit www.ForTheLoveOfDutch.com and use code NATURAL15. For more information, also email Hello@ForTheLoveOfDutch.com. See ad, page 19.

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Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

Special Offer for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Mooresville

H

yperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), a highly potent, anti-inflammatory medical treatment administered in a chamber in which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen under pressure, is provided by Nirvana Hyperbaric Institute, in Mooresville. Those who purchase 10 hyperbaric sessions of the extremely safe, non-invasive, painless modality through June can receive one session for free.

The method produces up to a 15-fold increase in blood oxygen concentration, causing oxygen to reach every cell in the body. This promotes healing in all tissue including the brain by stimulating the production of stem cells, the body’s immune system which is especially helpful to treat bone infections and new blood vessel production.

It acts as a signal inducer of DNA for 6,000-plus genes, turning on good genes and turning off bad genes, and can help reverse cognitive decline from aging by increasing telomere length.

HBOT is used to treat insurance-covered conditions such as non-healing diabetic wounds, osteomyelitis and radiation injury from cancer therapy. It is also used for noninsurance conditions such as concussion, traumatic brain injury, autism, stroke, irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, multiple sclerosis and healing from cosmetic surgery.

Location: 146 Medical Park Rd., Ste. 110.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 704-471-4100 or visit www.NirvanaHbo.com. See ad, page 19.

Special Offer by Healthy Solutions for All

Grow Peanuts at Home with The Patio Farmer

aturopathic Doctor Michelle Tonkin, of Healthy Solutions for All, is providing a special limited-time offer for readers to receive free initial 30-minute consults. Her educational and experiential knowledge can help those with gastro-intestinal disorders such as candida, leaky gut, IBS and Michelle Tonkin Crohn’s disease; autoimmune issues like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and Lyme disease; and weakened immune systems.

Tonkin, also a Certified Nutritional Consultant, Master Herbalist, Master Iridologist and Master Reflexologist, has 15-plus years of experience in treating health issues. A graduate of Trinity College of Natural Health and Acusage Academy, she previously experienced many health problems including Lyme disease, chronic fatigue and chronic Epstein-Barr. Tonkin’s business, Healthy Solutions for All, is part of the fulfillment of a vision to not only experience health and healing for herself, but to use her knowledge to assist others in achieving and maintaining abundant health.

Also, her online store, offering pharmaceutical grade supplements, health and wellness books and articles, includes discounts and free shipping on all orders greater than $50.

rin Hostetler, Owner/Farmer, The Patio Farmer, is offering an exciting new service called Plant Club. It is a monthly subscription where members grow a specialty, curated crop with the help of The Patio Farmer. In June, plant club members will grow heirloom peanuts in containers at home.

“Have you ever seen a peanut plant grow? Are you intrigued now? June is the perfect time to seed peanuts for a late summer or early fall harvest,” says Hostetler. “Take the guesswork out by joining a group of fellow peanut growers around the Charlotte area!”

Members of the plant club receive a grow kit for a carefully chosen specialty crop the first week of each month that includes a container, soil, plant or seed and a tool. Members also receive weekly newsletters with information on how to grow that month’s plant, plus guest content from Plant Club Partners: Nourish Charlotte (plant-based meal delivery), Ekologicall (zero-waste lifestyle products) and Verde Tribe (houseplants). Virtual, hour-long plant chats and a private Facebook group provides additional support and forums for discussion.

N

Email ContactHealthySolutionsForAll@yahoo.com and mention “Natural Awakenings” to schedule free initial 30-minute consult.

For more information, call 877-955-HEAL (4325) or visit www.HealthySolutionsForAll.com. See CRG, page 25.

E

Plant Club membership cost: $65/month. For more information or to signup, email ThePatioFarmer@gmail.com or visit www.ThePatioFarmer.com. See CRG, page 24.

HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTEST USING REPURPOSED MATERIALS WINNER:

Stephen and Lara Grotz, Charlotte Project: Close in upstairs loft for a formal bedroom while maintaining the natural light.

BEFORE

AFTER

Repurposed Materials: Antique windows from Facebook Marketplace, reused base of stair spindles as windowsill, parts of an antique bedframe for the window frame, secondhand interior paint and borrowed all tools and a truck from friends. The whole project cost less than $200.

SECOND PLACE: Jack and Diana Rouviere, Indian Trail Project: Update a dark closet with dated fixtures to a serene and welcoming space.

Repurposed Materials: Flooring and shelving from Habitat Restore, the chair from Good Steward Ministries and the painting from Finders Keepers thrift store.

THIRD PLACE: Tyler Ravenell, Ravenell Home Services, Cornelius Project: Cover a flawed hallway ceiling.

Repurposed Materials: Wood mosaic tiles from Habitat Restore. There wasn’t quite enough to cover the entire area, so I cut blocks and stained them to make up the difference.

Thank you to all participants and to Claudia Josephine Design and Sustain Charlotte for providing the prizes.

May/Early June 2021

9

health briefs

People in the “poorest of the poor” communities in which money is not a high value can feel as happy as people in high-income Scandinavian countries, concludes new research from Canada’s McGill University.

For the study published in PLOS One, interviewers studied 678 people living in Bangladesh and the Solomon Islands, both extremely low-income countries. People in remote fishing villages with subsistence-level incomes reported very high levels of “subjective well-being,” which they attributed to spending lots of time with family and being in nature. Villagers that had migrated to urban areas for work were more likely to gauge their well-being by economic and social factors, and reported lower feelings of well-being, leading researchers to speculate that monetization, especially in its early stages, may be detrimental to happiness. “When people are comfortable, safe and free to enjoy life within a strong community, they are happy—regardless of whether or not they are making any money,” says Chris Barrington-Leigh, a professor at McGill’s Bieler School of the Environment.

theodore gouta/Unsplash.com

Don’t Rely on Money for Happiness

As convenient as store-bought baby food is, it can pose hidden dangers for infant brains, say U.S. congressional investigators. A report issued by the House of Representatives on February 4 found “dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals,” including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, in baby foods made by major companies Hain Foods, Gerber, Beech-Nut and Happy Family Organics. Walmart, Campbell Soup Company and Sprout Organic Foods refused to cooperate with the investigation. On March 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pledged to enact new standards, increase inspections and testing, and support research to lower baby food contaminants.

Low levels of exposure to heavy metals can cause serious, irreversible damage to children’s brain development, studies show. Naturally present in the environment, they enter baby foods through soil, water and air; companies attempt to minimize this impact through processing. In one example, Hain Celestial, which makes Earth’s Best Organic, says it no longer uses brown rice, which can harbor arsenic.

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Nix Baby Foods that Harbor Toxic Metals

COUNT YOUR CARTONS May is CARTON Recycling Month

Only Recycle Me When Empty!

How many cartons can YOU recycle this month?

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Missing a Piece of Yourself?

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Your Business

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11

Ark Park

global briefs

World’s Largest Wildlife Highway Crossing Opens in San Antonio

Artificial Intelligence Joins Fight Against Marine Litter

aliaksandr marko/AdobeStock.com

MARLIT, an open-access web app based on a deep-learning artificial intelligence algorithm, will promote the detection and measurement of floating plastics in the sea with a reliability of over 80 percent, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Pollution conducted by experts at the Biodiversity Research Institute of the University of Barcelona.

Floating macro-litter is a threat to the conservation of marine ecosystems worldwide. The largest density of floating litter is in the great ocean gyres (systems of circular currents that spin and catch litter), but polluting waste is also abundant in coastal waters and semi-closed seas such as the Mediterranean. The analysis, using artificial intelligence techniques and more than 3,800 aerial images of the Mediterranean coast along Catalonia, will permit researchers to detect the presence, density and distribution of plastic pollutants in seas and oceans worldwide.

Historically, direct observation by boats and planes formed the basis for assessing the impact of floating marine macro-litter, but the massive area of the oceans and the amount of data required have made it hard in the past for researchers to progress with new monitoring studies.

The new Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge connects people with nature in the heart of San Antonio across a sixlane highway at Phil Hardberger Park. Private donations and a five-year bond program approved by voters helped fund the $23 million bridge, the largest wildlife crossing of its kind in the U.S. Wildlife and vehicle collisions are a big problem across the country, increasing by 50 percent in 15 years, with an estimated 1 to 2 million large animals killed by motorists every year, according to National Geographic sources.

In the U.S., 21 threatened and endangered species face extinction partly because of traffic accidents. Wildlife crossings are seen as an effective solution to the problem, with fatality reductions of up to 95 percent, depending on the location. The San Antonio bridge is notable for its size—150 feet wide and 150 feet long—and that it accommodates people, too. Animals in the 330-acre park that benefit from the bridge include ringtails, squirrels, coyotes, lizards, raccoons and deer. They are using it as intended, and it also serves as a habitat for native plants. photo courtesy of phil hardberger park conservancy

Great Minds

Ah-Choo!

A new study by the University of Utah published in the journal PNAS found that pollen seasons have been getting longer and more intense in North America over the last 30 years, aggravating asthma and weakening defenses against respiratory viruses, resulting in more emergency room visits that disrupt lives. Researchers comparing pollen metrics between 1990 and 2018 from 60 monitoring stations indicate that seasons are starting up to 20 days earlier and lasting up to eight days longer, affecting millions of allergy sufferers. The study looked at variable factors such as temperature, rainfall, frost days and carbon dioxide concentrations, and found that an increase in mean annual temperatures was the strongest driver. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 19 million adults have been diagnosed with hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen, a fine powder from plants that can come into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth and throat.

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Climate Change Makes Pollen Season Worse for Allergy Sufferers

Are You Looking For A HEALTHY NATURAL Smile?

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INTEGRATIVE

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do

by Ronica O’Hara

A

nyone walking into a U.S. hospital today will notice something that was inconceivable 50 years ago—one in three practicing physicians is a woman, and among physicians under age 35, it’s three in five. That compares to one in 14 in 1970. For women needing health care, that fact can change everything. “Research says that female physicians provide better care to female patients than male physicians do,” says Harvard Medical School Associate Professor Alice Domar, Ph.D., a pioneer in women’s mind-body medicine. “They are more likely to listen carefully and take complaints seriously.”

That’s just one factor in how health care is improving for women. Only three decades ago, women were simply considered “small men” in medical research and rarely included as subjects in clinical studies. Today, after a 1993 federal mandate ensured their inclusion, it’s been well established that women metabolize drugs differently than men, respond to health threats with a more robust immune system and are more likely to experience side effects. These findings have helped spur major changes for women in standards, dosages, medications and procedures—resulting in fewer cancer deaths, better treatment of autoimmune disorders and more nuanced cardiac care strategies. Although much has improved about women’s health, much more remains to be done.

anna shvets/Pexels.com

Cancer

14

Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

About one in three women is diagnosed with cancer in the course of a lifetime, and they have better survival rates than men, of which one in two receives that diagnosis. Between 2001 and 2017, the overall cancer death rate for women declined by 1.4 percent each year as diagnoses and treatments became more refined and targeted. The number one cancer killer for women is lung cancer, although 19 percent diagnosed have never smoked.

The next most deadly are cancers of the breast, colon/rectum, pancreas and ovaries.

Breast cancer deaths have dropped by 40 percent since 1989, thanks to greater awareness, early detection and better treatments. “Women learned from the AIDS crisis that making noise gets results,” says Domar. “Look at how far breast cancer research and treatment has come in the past 10 to 20 years, how powerful Breast Cancer Awareness Month is, and that everyone recognizes that pink ribbon.”

Common symptoms: Bowel changes, lingering sores, fatigue, lumps, unusual discharge, difficulty digesting or swallowing, nagging cough or hoarseness, belly or back pain.

New research: An international research team has identified a direct molecular link between meat and dairy diets and the development of antibodies in the blood that increases the chances of developing cancer.

Medical advances: Painful, invasive biopsies may become a thing of the past. Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a simple blood test that detects more than 50 types of cancer, as well as their location within the body, with a high degree of accuracy, and the City of Hope Cancer Center, in Los Angeles, has developed a urine test that analyzes cell-free fragments of DNA to detect cancer.

Preventive strategies: Vitamin D supplementation lowers the risk of mortality across all cancers, German researchers found, estimating that if all Germans older than 50 took such supplements, up to 30,000 cancer deaths per year might be avoided. A 10-year study found that people between 55 and 74 that took a low-dose aspirin at least three times each week lowered their risk of all types of cancer by 15 percent and overall mortality by 19 percent.

Heart Disease

One in three American women die from heart disease, more than all cancers combined. “Unfortunately, awareness that heart disease can and does happen to women remains low, and this results in delay of care,” says cardiologist Nicole Harkin of Whole Heart Cardiology, in San Francisco. “Women tend to seek medical care later in the course of their heart attack and with more risk factors, resulting in poorer outcomes, and they are more likely than men to die of their first heart attack.”

Women have different symptoms of heart disease than men, are often misdiagnosed and have a 20 percent greater risk of dying within five years of a heart attack. Pregnant women that develop hypertension are two to five times more likely to later develop cardiovascular disease.

Common symptoms: Heart pressure, fatigue, breathlessness and pain between the shoulder blades.

New research: Eating more than seven servings per day of refined grains like croissants and white bread increased the risk of heart disease by 33 percent and stroke by 47 percent, concluded a study in The British Medical Journal. In a Stanford study, participants that ate plant-based meat for eight weeks had improved markers

of heart health, lower LDL levels and lost two pounds compared to those eating meat.

Medical advance: To successfully fix a floppy mitral valve that’s hampering blood flow in the heart, doctors can guide a catheter up a patient’s leg vein and staple the troubled parts of the valve with a tiny clip, a safer and less invasive procedure than openheart surgery.

Preventive strategies: Eating nuts several times a week lowers by 30 to 50 percent the risk of heart attacks, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease, four large cohort studies have shown.

Older women with high fitness levels have one quarter the risk of dying from heart disease as women that are out of shape, report Spanish researchers.

Autoimmune Diseases The prevalence of autoimmune diseases has grown by one half in two decades, even as medications and targeted therapies have kept more patients active and out of wheelchairs. “Where it used to be the norm for many physicians to consider women with some autoimmune illnesses to be neurotic, that approach is now being recognized as being abusive and unacceptable. This is a critical step towards recovery,” says chronic fatigue expert Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic!

About 80 percent of the 23 million Americans that suffer from debilitating autoimmune diseases are women, and those conditions tend to develop during childbearing years. The eighth-leading cause of death among women, these illnesses shorten lifespan by an average of eight years. The 80-plus diseases, including fibromyalgia, lupus, celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to genetics, environmental triggers, some medications, obesity, injuries and stress.

Common symptoms: These vary widely, but may include achy muscles, fatigue, recurring low-grade fever, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abdominal pain and swelling, hair loss, swollen glands and tingling in hands and feet.

New research: Eating significantly fewer foods containing the amino acid methionine, found at high levels in meat, fish, dairy and eggs, could slow the onset and progression of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis in high-risk individuals, reports a study in Cell Metabolism.

Medical advance: Evidence is mounting that low doses of naltrexone, a substance-abuse treatment drug, can treat conditions like lupus, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis by normalizing the immune system and relieving pain with few side effects. “It costs only about 70 cents a day, is made by compounding pharmacists and is remarkably beneficial for a host of autoimmune conditions,” says Teitelbaum.

Preventive strategy: To fight inflammation, take a daily turmeric or curcumin supplement that includes piperine (black pepper) for better absorption. A University of Houston metaMay/Early June 2021

15

study in Nutrients found that curcumin supplements improved symptoms in 14 osteoarthritis, two ulcerative colitis and eight Type 2 diabetes studies.

Common symptoms: Because hormones regulate all of the body’s processes, symptoms of imbalance run the gamut and may include fatigue, weakness, erratic menstrual cycles and weight gain or loss.

Hormonal Imbalances

New research: Early menstruation increases the likelihood of hot flashes and night sweats decades later at menopause, according to a University of Queensland study. Eating five teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil daily reduced women’s moderate to severe menstrual cramps by 83 percent in two months, Iranian researchers found.

Medical advance: A major study of 9,000 postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer showed 94 percent that received hormonal therapy, but not chemotherapy, did not have recurrences.

Preventive strategies: To avoid toxic chemicals, buy organics; replace plastic kitchen containers with glass; replace Teflon pans with ceramic or cast-iron; use chemical-free cosmetics and shampoos; nix air fresheners and chemical cleaners; and check out food and care products at the Environmental Working Group (ewg. org). To help detox the body, consider working with a naturopathic doctor to develop a program that may include cleansing foods, herbs, saunas, elimination diets and chelators such as activated charcoal and algae.

Depression Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression, with one in four having a major episode at some point in life, yet fewer than

anna shvets/Pexels.com

The past 20 years has seen significant improvements in the studies and treatments of female hormonal issues. “There are now treatment options that allow women to transition into menopause, options for prevention of osteoporosis and momentous changes in fertility,” says Stephanie Seitz, a naturopathic family physician in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the same time, she adds, “I have seen environmental toxins rising in my female population. I see young girls coming in with polycystic ovary syndrome, early menarche and painful menstrual cramping; women having trouble getting pregnant for unknown reasons; the rise of fibroids, premature ovarian insufficiency and endometriosis.”

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers, regulating processes ranging from hunger to blood pressure to mood and playing a key role in reproduction. They have come under assault from endocrine disrupters, thousands of largely unregulated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS. These “forever chemicals” are found in everything from plastics to cushions to canned foods, and are in the blood of 98 percent of Americans. Studies have linked them to girls experiencing puberty one year earlier than 40 years ago; to rising cases of infertility, miscarriages and low birth weight; to menopause occurring two to four years earlier; and to obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and breast cancer.

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half seek treatment. “Many women are too busy caring for others and feel guilty about their depression, fearing it could get in the way of their caregiving goals,” says New York psychoanalyst Claudia Luiz. “Many have the fantasy that if they open that door and allow themselves to focus on their feelings, they won’t be able to keep going.”

Depression occurs most frequently in women ages 25 to 44, and one in five teenage girls reports having had a major depressive episode, a number that has exploded due to social media use. Psychotherapy is effective for 62 percent of adults with depression, antidepressants work for 54 percent and combining the two is helpful for 72 percent.

Common symptoms: Sadness, anxiety, flat feeling, loss of motivation or feelings of pleasure, change of eating or sleeping patterns, low energy, difficulty concentrating or headaches.

New research: Sleeping irregular hours, doing night shifts and working for more than nine hours a day have been shown to put women at higher risk of depression, while eating more dietary fiber in produce, grains and legumes significantly lowers this risk.

anna shvets/Pexels.com

Medical advances: For the estimated one in four people with depression that doesn’t respond to medication or therapy, emerging approaches offer fresh hope. Low doses of the anesthetic drug ketamine lifted the depression of 70 percent of hard-to-treat subjects by targeting specific serotonin receptors, Swedish researchers report.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the prefrontal cortex, lifts symptoms for 50 to 60 percent of subjects, studies show.

Preventive strategies: Eating at least two servings a week of wild-caught, oily fish or a daily 1,000-to-2,000-milligram fish oil supplement with a 60-to-40 EPA to DHA ratio has been shown to be effective for symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and postpartum depression. Taking a brisk daily walk in nature with a friend or dog lowers four factors linked to depression: a “nature deficit”, physical inactivity, low vitamin-D levels and isolation.

Natural health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

The Gut Feeling on

MENTAL HEALTH

W

hile traditional medicine often looks to the brain as the source of mental health disorders, the true origin may be in the gut. Dr. Mike Smith, owner of Carolinas Natural Health Center, located at 1114 Sam Newell Road., Suite. A, in Matthews, says, “There’s a growing amount of research that links gut health to mental health.”

Smith, a naturopathic physician, notes: “The gut is often referred to as the ‘second brain’. Our digestive tract has the highest number of neurons outside of the brain.

It is where most of the neurotransmitters are produced that directly affect our mood and mental function. The production of these neurotransmitters are affected by bacteria, viruses and yeast that live in the gut, as well as our diet, stressors, and chemicals in our environment.”

The organisms that live in the gut make up the microbiome. A flourishing microbiome has good bacteria that assist in this gut/brain connection and improves the mental health and overall feeling of wellness. “The overuse of antibiotics and eating the wrong types of foods can knock the microbiome off balance, creating an environment where bad bacteria flourish.

We see this all of the time in our practice,” says Smith.

Recent research shows that gut nerve cells make 95 percent of serotonin, the “happiness hormone.” “There’s this idea that you can ‘heal’ anxiety and depression with prescription drugs, but if your gut nerve cells aren’t making serotonin the way that they should be, you’re simply covering up the problem without healing it. Unless you’re on these prescriptions for life, you’ll be right back to where you started if you don’t address the root cause of the issues,” advises Smith.

Smith’s patients often come to him with complaints that stem from the use of these prescription medications. “I hear complaints like no sex drive, weight gain, lack of energy and more, which are all side effects of anxiety and depression medications. I know there are cases where these medications may be necessary and helpful, but for many people, addressing nutrition, healing the gut, getting adequate sleep and developing a self care routine that includes regular exercise and nutrition can have a quick, lasting impact without side effects.”

To schedule a free discovery call and for more information, call 704-486-2448 or visit www.CarolinasNaturalHealth.com.

May/Early June 2021

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Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area.

Weight Loss and Female Hormones

by Lidia Adkins and Suzanne Doad

W

omen go through several hormone shifts throughout their lives, including puberty, pregnancy and menopause. The shifts in Pick up magazines hormones, such as estrogen deficiency that monthly at: occur after menopause, affect metabolism Natural Awakenings and are potentially related to weight gain. ppreciates the generosity Estrogen deficiency can lead to a decrease in of its distributors resting metabolic rate, which means that the body burns less calories at rest than it used to. throughout the area.

It can also increase insulin resistance, causing the body to use more insulin after a meal. lease consider supporting Insulin is a hormone which helps the hese major distributors by body to be able to use food for energy. hopping there and picking Among its other actions, it causes the body Natural Awakenings p the magazine each month to store energy, including in the form of fat, for use at a later time. In case of insulin from one ofappreciates the racks. the generosity Natural Awakenings of its distributors resistance, certain cells cannot use carbs for Thank you! appreciates the generosity energy production, but instead cause the throughout the area. body to turn carbs into fat molecules which of its distributors get deposited inside adipose tissue, resultPlease consider supporting throughout the area. ing in fat these major distributors bygain.

Natural Awakenings Another issue particular to the loss of Please consider supporting shopping there and picking appreciates the generosity estrogen is the redistribution of fat stores major distributors byshape to an apple shape, in upthese the magazine eachfrom month of its distributors a pear and picking which fat is more concentrated around the from onethere of the racks. throughoutshopping the area. abdomen and interferes with the workup the magazine each month Thank you!

Please consider supporting ing of the internal organs and hormone from one of the racks. these major distributors by systems. Abdominal obesity has been linked Thank you! to a variety of health issues, including type shopping there and picking 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and up the magazine each month some forms of cancer, including those of from one of the racks. the breast and colon. The decrease in lean Thank you! muscle mass which occurs after menopause also causes metabolism to slow. Weight loss and maintenance can be difficult and frustrating in this setting.

There are dietary measures that women can take to help prevent weight gain after menopause. Increasing the amount of dietary fiber, such as non-starchy vegetables that help to keep the stomach full, is one way to accomplish this. Not only are these foods fiber-rich, but they also possess a variety of vitamins and minerals that help our metabolism to function effectively.

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Aiming to get adequate protein—healthy meats such as chicken and fish— as well as healthy fat—olive oil and avocados—with each meal can help to reduce hunger and curb between-meal cravings.

Lifestyle measures such as physical activity help maintain metabolic function following menopause. Resistance training can help increase muscle tissue, which improves calorie burn, as well as improving balance and bone density. Aerobic activity can improve heart health, improve insulin sensitivity and increase metabolism.

In some cases, a detailed hormone panel gives an accurate insight into a specific hormone deficiency, so the physician can suggest specific supplementation to restore production. In addition, bioidentical hormone therapies have shown promising results because they help balance hormonal levels.

An in-depth understanding regarding the cause of the imbalance, as well as addressing the cause, is necessary prior to committing to hormonal replacement therapies.

Dr. Lidia Adkins, PKT, DC, CFMP is founder and owner of Carolinas Weight Loss Institute located at 216 S. New Hope Rd. in Gastonia.

For more information, call 704-271-9757, email infog@cwli.net or visit www.cwli.net. Suzanne Doad, MS, RD, LDN, previously worked at Carolinas Weight Loss Institute.

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fit body

Stay Fit with Bodywork Therapy Enhance Workout Performance and Recovery with Massage

by Marlaina Donato

Tailored Tools “In the context of exercise, someone who trains three to five times per week at a high intensity will likely have a higher level of fitness. However, the demand placed on the soft tissue structures will equally be high, and may require more treatment to offset this. This may vary from once a week to once a month,” says Andy Stanbury, head of soft tissue therapy at Pure Sports Medicine, a London clinic for sports injuries.

After working with high performance athletes for 15 years, he always asks, “What do I need to add to improve a patient’s fitness or performance?” For a patient that wants to improve fitness by running, “I would want to optimize their range of movement and stimulate the nervous system in readiness to exercise. I may look to use some myofascial release techniques, active release therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization or muscle energy techniques. This would of course take place before the run.” For post-run recovery, Stanbury suggests more relaxing modalities, such as gentle massage, combined with breathwork.

The Fascia Factor Fascia, a network of connective tissue, wraps the body in protective layers from the most superficial muscle to the deepest organs and plays a central role in flexibility.

This complex netting can become stuck due to inactivity, injury or surgery. Keeping it supple is vital for everyone.

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minervastudio/AdobeStock.com

T

herapeutic massage and other bodywork modalities are well-known stress-busters, but they can also hasten recovery after a workout or injury. A little restorative TLC with a bodywork practitioner before or after exercise can combat post-workout soreness and stiffness, maximizing our fitness investments in and out of the gym.

Approaches such as Swedish, deep tissue and sports massages, and myofascial trigger point release therapy can boost both blood and lymphatic circulation, giving soft tissues a vital shot of cellular nutrition. Massage modalities affect biochemical processes and on the deepest level, mitochondria—the cell’s energy-producing engines. Research from 2015 published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that massage immediately following injury due to resistance training encourages tissue regeneration.

Bodywork like myofascial release that targets trigger points—knots of tension—can help to ramp up postoperative and overall injury recovery. “Myofascial release is a technique used to reduce the tension in the fascial membrane. Slowly stretching the fascia will unwind and reduce the pressure on the muscles and nerves, reducing pain and creating range of motion and flexibility,” explains Anthony Hansen, a myofascial release therapist at Therapy on the Gulf, in Naples, Florida.

Hansen, who specializes in a “fast release” technique, emphasizes the importance of a gentle approach. “Trigger points are caused by cellular debris encapsulated by the fascia, so it’s much better to stretch it loose than it is to force it. Normally, it takes about three to five sessions, depending on the condition of the patient, for the fascial system to unwind before the patient will feel relief.”

Active trigger points refer, or radiate, pain elsewhere in the body while latent

points tend to be more localized and are sore when compressed.

“From a whole-body perspective and when we put this in the context of fascial planes, restoration of efficient movement is key, particularly post-surgery and when progressing training load,” says Stanbury. “However, this is not just movement of the body (muscles), but movement of blood, lymph and energy.”

A supple, tension-free body helps deter and bounce back from injuries. Regular bodywork, especially Swedish and deep tissue massage, fosters muscle recovery and helps prevent future issues. Self-massage using foam rollers and massage balls or canes can also be very helpful.

Bodywork offers full-spectrum perks, points out Stanbury, including “improved tissue mobility and elasticity, more efficient blood circulation and reduced anxiety and stress. This will, in turn, help promote better sleep, which is, of course, where we recover best.”

minervastudio/AdobeStock.com

Marlaina Donato is a body-mind-spirit author and composer/ recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

MODALITIES TO HELP EASE PAIN AND STRAIN

A MASSAGE FOR EVERY BODY IN CHARLOTTE

Swedish Massage: Gentle, gliding strokes to stimulate circulation, lower blood pressure and reduce muscle tension.

Deep Tissue Massage: Specific, focused massage to break up muscle congestion and reduce restrictions.

Sports Massage: Offered at many gyms, physical therapy facilities and recreational sports events for recovery and prevention.

Muscle Energy Techniques: Stretching and hands-on techniques that enable gentle muscle contraction to improve joint function and lengthen muscles.

Myofascial Release: Modalities that specifically target trigger points in the muscles and fascia to release adhesions, increase oxygen and reduce pain and tightness include the following: Active Release Therapy: May be beneficial for chronic pain due to repetitive movements, especially where muscle weakness, numbness or tingling/burning is experienced in the soft tissues.

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization: Also known as the Graston technique, practitioners use an array of hand-held instruments for deep trigger points in the fascia and muscles—beneficial after injuries and conditions such as piriformis, muscle-induced sciatica and back pain.

Myofascial Cupping: A technique that employs cups to create suction on the muscle tissue to move lymph and blood through the area of deep trigger points.

A

t Okra Charlotte, each and every client session is treated as a customized approach for that individual. Each body is unique, and Okra has designed several customized sessions ranging from 45 minutes to 3.5 hours. The offering includes full-body resets; mind-body reboots; therapeutic Thai bodywork; energy center resets; foot treatments; advanced custom bodywork; hot stone, compress and bamboo treatments; three-hour soul alignments; 3.5-hour triple resets (body, mind and energy centers); bodywork for runners; and all traditional styles of massage and bodywork including Swedish, deep tissue, lymphatic and pre-natal.

Their approach to levels of pressure is customized to the client’s comfort as well as their level of tonicity (tension in the tissues) of each body area. Okra customizes its use of oils to help support pain relief along with freedom of movement and range of motion. Okra also targets any areas of soreness and inflammation that have resulted from workouts and physical activity, plus the toxic residue from the stresses of everyday living. Each client confidentially reviews their personal situation with their therapist both before and post-treatment.

The therapist may also recommend selected yoga classes and workshops at Okra that may benefit the client’s needs.

Location: 1912 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte. For more information or to make an appointment, call 704-266-1443 or visit www.OkraCharlotte.com.

May/Early June 2021

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wise words

Devaki Lindsey Berkson on Bioidentical Hormones for Long-Term Health

by Linda Sechrist

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Wednesday-Friday noon-6pm Saturday noon-4pm Sunday-Tuesday closed Face Coverings and Social Distancing required Spiritual, Religious, Metaphysical, New Age Supplies, Gifts & Books, Candles, Incense, Smudge Sticks & Accessories, Gemstones & Crystals, Tarot & Oracle Cards, Pendulums, Herbs, Gemstone Jewelry, Talismans, Egyptian, Hindu, Catholic Statuary 3010 Monroe Road • Suite 104 Charlotte 704-632-9911

MamaBessiesPlace.net

H

ormone scholar Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson, a nutrition and gut expert as well as a continuing education professor for medical doctors and pharmacists, frequently lectures at conferences to clarify misinformation about hormones, such as the difference between synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and plant-based bio-identical hormone therapy (BHT).

This peer-reviewed, published researcher is the bestselling author of Safe Hormones Smart Women and Sexy Brain: How Sizzling Intimacy & Balanced Hormones Prevent Alzheimer’s, Cancer, Depression & Divorce and a breast cancer survivor of 26 years.

Why do you refer to hormones as nature’s physiologic internet system?

Hormones send invaluable “email” signals to cells throughout the entire body and brain.

What is the difference between HRT and BHT? Synthetic hormones are altered by pharmaceutical companies to make them profitable. Bioidentical hormones are like those made by the body and designed by Mother Nature. I advise tracking hormone levels every decade throughout life to determine which levels help an individual feel their best. Unfortunately, doctors are still being 22

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taught that hormones are mainly important for reproductive or sexy things, addressing issues like peri- or post-menopause, andropause, erectile dysfunction or disease.

How did the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) affect the use of hormones?

Up until 2002, when WHI prematurely stopped one of its hormone study groups which was prescribed a combination of Premarin plus synthetic progesterone, estrogen therapies were the recommended standard of care for menopausal women and the biggest-selling pharmaceuticals in history. Medical journals, research institutions and expert cancer doctors accepted that estrogen was safe and did not increase the risk of breast cancer.

Carried out by the U.S. National Institutes of Health from 2002 to 2008, WHI conducted a series of 40 group studies following the health of 161,809 postmenopausal women. Studies covered various aspects of aging women’s health from diet, bone health and nutrients to heart health and the risk of hormonedriven cancers, as well as two randomized trials on hormone therapies. The resulting claims that the HRT combo of Premarin plus synthetic progestin significantly increased the risks of breast cancer, cardiac events, Alzheimer’s dis-

ease and stroke alarmed the public and huge numbers of U.S. doctors stopped prescribing hormones.

What has changed?

By 2004, re-analysis of the combo study demonstrated opposite findings, and a 19-year follow-up WHI analysis revealed that estrogen protects against breast cancer while on it and even 10 years after, while progestins do the opposite. Dr. Leon Speroff, professor at the University of Oregon and the physician who authored Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, twice concluded after reviewing every statistical nuance of the WHI, “There continues to be good reason to believe that there are benefits associated with treatment, including improvement of quality of life beyond the relief of hot flushes, maximal protection against osteoporotic fractures, a reduction in colorectal cancers, maintenance of skin elasticity and the possibility of primary prevention of coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s.”

Although new science clearly showed that hormones rule body and brain

health and are critical for staying healthy, fighting illness long-term rather than short-term and lowering mortality timing by preventing heart attacks and strokes, CEOs of Big Pharma companies that provided the synthetic hormones used in the WHI trials continued to fight hard against BHT formulated by compounding pharmacists. Now these very same CEOs have released a BHT combination of estradiol and progesterone and are writing in peer review studies about how much better and safer it is. Big Pharma intends to be the sole source of supply. They plan to do that by eliminating their competition: compounding pharmacies.

What is your experience with compounding pharmacists?

The FDA purports that compounding pharmacies are dangerous, unregulated and use items that are too complicated to compound. Not true. Compounding pharmacists are skilled professionals at mixing bioidentical hormones to a doctor’s prescription. I’ve successfully been using com-

pounding pharmacies for more than 30 years. A compounding pharmacist should be part of the health team when natural, bioidentical hormones are prescribed.

Their knowledge can provide a wealth of experience for doctor and the patient.

Furthermore, they provide an invaluable service at manufacturing a safe product that is unique for a particular patient.

Hormones are so critical that even if you’re prescribed HRT, it’s better than losing out for decades on the hormone signals that keep your body younger and less inflamed. To be without healthy hormone signals is an aging and pro-inflammatory process to the body. In other words, get hormones any way you can.

While synthetic is better than nothing, bioidentical trumps synthetic.

DrLindseyBerkson.com offers a podcast archive, blog, newsletter and membership opportunities that include live, monthly, Zoom conversations.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

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community resource guide

ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com to request our media kit.

COLONICS

ACUPUNCTURE EMPOWER LIFE CENTER

Camilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM 704-542-8088 EmpowerLifeCenter.com

HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA

1308 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia 704-823-1577 HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com

Our principle service is Colon Hydrotherapy, but we also offer a wide variety of other services. We o ff e r b o t h t r a d i t i o n a l a n d alternative therapies to assist clients in achieving optimal health, wellness and balance.

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P ain c onditions, digestive disorders, stress, women’s health and chronic disorders. Classes in authentic Qigong, Tai Chi and Taoist yoga.

COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

ALLERGY

STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY

AAIR OF CHARLOTTE

Elizabeth, Blakeney, Steele Creek 704-910-1402 AAIRofCharlotte.com Dedicated to the progressive treatment of allergy, asthma and i m m u n o l o g y p a t i e n t s . D r.

O’Connor is one of only three specialists nationwide to complete the University of Arizona Fellowship of Integrative Medicine. See ad, page 2.

3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.com

Charlotte’s most experienced & trusted compounding pharmacy. Skilled pharmacist can prepare custom medications to meet needs of the individual patient. Specializing in women’s & men’s health as well as veterinary medications.

DENTISTRY

STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY

3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.com/CBD

3111 Springbank Ln, Ste F1 1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 160, Concord 704-782-0797 KempterDentistry.com

Charlotte’s CBD experts.

CBD consultations available with a licensed Pharmacist ($50 per ½ hour). Consultation fee applied to any CBD purchase. Professional grade CBD products available in store and online.

Biologically minded family dental office offering 3D digital dentistry, preventative dentistry, safe mercury removal and sleep apnea screenings. In a relaxed and caring environment, all patients are given devoted time. Call the office today to request a new patient consultation.

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CHRONIC & DIFFICULT CASES

DIRECT PRIMARY CARE

HAAS WELLNESS CENTER

3315 Springbank Ln, Ste 102 704-837-2420 HaasWellnessCenters.com

Specializing in chronic and difficult cases and holistic and wellness care. We identify and treat the root cause of your health issues. Call today for a free 15-minute consultation. See ad, page 4.

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RECYCLED COMPOST & MULCH

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Mecklenburg County upcycles your yard waste to create highquality STA approved compost and beautiful mulch at a very affordable price. See ad, page 11.

SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN

Claudia Josephine Design 860-796-3415 ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com

Proving that sustainable, ecofriendly design can still be stylish, Claudia creates classic, functional and beautiful interiors. Certified Green Accredited Professional.

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A GREENER CLEAN LLC

704-765-2035 Info@AGreenerClean.net AGreenerClean.net

BLUE SKIES FAMILY MEDICINE

Katherine Weeks, MD, FAAFP 363 Williamson Rd, Ste 103, Mooresville • 704-663-7819 BlueSkiesFamilyMedicine.com

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Monthly fee model supports timely/higher quality appointments at lower overall costs as well as transparency and clear expectations. Ideal for small businesses and individuals with co-op or catastrophic plan coverage. Call for meet-thedoctor appointment.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE BENTON INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & MEDICAL SPA

421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte 16415 Northcross Dr, Ste C, Huntersville 704-775-6029 • BentonIntegrative.com

Charlotte’s only Integrative MD offering membership based direct primary care. Also safe and natural therapies and skincare as well as healing for mind, body and spirit at MedSpa. See ad, page 19.

GARDENING THE PATIO FARMER

Charlotte, NC • ThePatioFarmer.com ThePatioFarmer@gmail.com @thepatiofarmer on IG and FB Confidently grow food at home with Consultations, Installation and Maintenance Plans. Also, check out Plant Club for in-depth gardening know-how. Contact us today and start enjoying food from your own plants.

HEALTHY PET FOR THE LOVE OF DUTCH

Charlotte • 704-576-7916 Hello@ForTheLoveofDutch.com ForTheLoveofDutch.com Nourish your pet the natural way. Ready-to-serve, handcrafted food for your dog made with fresh, seasonal produce and sustainably sourced meat from local Carolinas farms. See ad, page 19.

HOMEOPATHY CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 1114 Sam Newell Rd, Ste A 704-486-2448 CarolinasNaturalHealth.com C h a r l o t t e ’s o n l y d o c t o r specializing in homeopathy—a power system of natural medicine that stimulates your body’s natural ability to heal, without side effects. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral issues, eczema, auto-immune disease, hormonal imbalance, and much more. See ad, page 2.

HYPERBARIC THERAPY NIRVANA HYPERBARIC INSTITUTE

146 Medical Park Rd, Ste 110 Mooresville • 704-471-4100 NirvanaHBO.com

Dedicated to healing, forwarding the science of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and providing patients a tranquil place to heal. Highly effective in treating many conditions, some covered by insurance. See ad, page 19.

INTEGRATIVE HEALER KATIE SUTTON

Intuitive Channel, Guided Meditation Coach 828-246-3335 ZenWithinAcademy.com Katie synthesizes a unique blend of healing modalities with selfactivation techniques–from sound & vibrational therapy, to intuitive channeling, to guided meditation– in order to deliver healings tailored to each person's needs.

INTEGRATIVE PEDIATRICIAN INFINITE HEALTH, PLLC

Sheila Kilbane, MD 2201 Park Rd, Ste B 704-626-6771 • SheilaKilbane.com Dr. Kilbane is a board-certified integrative pediatrician who specializes in finding the root cause of illness including reflux, eczema, allergies, recurrent ear and sinus infections, asthma, constipation, abdominal pain and more.

NATURAL DOCTOR DARRYL ROBERTS, ND

Haas Wellness Center 3315 Springbank Ln, Ste 102 704-837-2420 • DoctorDarrylND.com DrDarryl@HaasWellnessCenters.com Heal. Recover. Thrive. Modern wellness for a modern world.

Specializing in emotional and digestive disorders with children and adults using non-toxic treatments. Call today for a free consultation.

UNITY OF CHARLOTTE

Marty Bacher, Spiritual Leader UnityofCharlotte.org 704-523-0062 Unity features a vibrant, joyous Sunday Celebration Service at 10:30am with terrific music, inspiring messages and a warm, welcoming spiritual community. Offering classes and workshops throughout the week with activities that support your health, wellness and spiritual journey.

SPIRITUAL INTUITIVE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 1114 Sam Newell Rd, Ste A 704-486-2448 CarolinasNaturalHealth.com Diabetes, Depression, Digestive Disorders, ​A llergies, Autoimmune disease, A ​ nxiety,​ ​ ADHD. C h a r l o t t e ’s o n l y d o c t o r specializing in homeopathy. We focus on treating YOU to uncover the cause of your health condition and empower you to better health!​ See ad, page 2.

NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH CONSULTING HEALTHY SOLUTIONS FOR ALL

Michelle Tonkin, ND 877-955-HEAL HealthySolutionsForAll.com

15+ years’ experience with Lyme disease, autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

Online health store with discounts and free shipping on all orders $50+. Call today for a free 10-minute consultation.

SPIRITUAL CENTERS HEARTLIGHT SPIRITUAL CENTER

Rev. David Hulse, Spiritual Leader 7300 Mallard Creek Rd 704-599-1180 HeartLightCharlotte.org

We are a Spirit-Guided, HeartCentered, Christ-Conscious, Loving Family providing an empowering, universal, Christ-centered message grounded in the teachings of metaphysics. Sunday Service 11:15 am. Email Shine@HeartLightCharlotte.org.

See ad, page 13.

AKASHIC RECORD READINGS

Charlotte, NC • 704-236-1413 AmyGrayCunningham.com Amy@AmyGrayCunningham.com

The Akashic Records are like a Google search for your soul. Call today and rediscover who you are at soul level, clear negative karmic patterns and begin living the life you truly desire. See ad, page 22.

SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAIN CHARLOTTE

SustainCharlotte.org

A nonprofit organization working to inspire choices that lead to healthy, equitable and vibrant communities across the Charlotte metro region for generations to come.

Become a member today.

VETERINARIAN ATRIUM ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Kim Hombs, DVM, CVA, CVCH, CTui-Na 6520 McMahon Dr 704-542-2000 AtriumAnimalHospital.com Comprehensive holistic/ integrative animal medicine practice in the Charlotte region.

Alternative vaccine approaches, double certified acupuncturist and herbalist, cold and class 4 laser, TCM food therapy, Tuina, animal rehabilitation with underwater treadmill.

WEIGHT LOSS CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE

Gastonia • 704-271-9757 Matthews/Ballantyne • 704-243-8560 CWLI.net Developer of the "40 Day Transformation" system, a physician designed and administered functional approach with programming tailored to the unique metabolism needs of each individual, to provide safe and sustained weight loss. Call for a free consultation.

May/Early June 2021

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gaston county natural guide Connecting Gaston County to leaders in natural health, wellness and green living. To find out how you can be included in the Gaston County Natural Guide, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com.

SPA

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE HEALING PLATFORM

Amber Pederson, DC, CFMP 29 E Woodrow Ave, Belmont 704-755-4088 • HealingPlatform.com Info@HealingPlatform.com

HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA

1308 E. Garrison Blvd, Gastonia 704-823-1577 HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com

Offering traditional and alternative therapies seven days a week to help you achieve optimal health, wellness and balance. Colon hydrotherapy, massage, far-infrared sauna therapy, energizing foot spa and yoni or v-steam.

We empower people to take control of their health by educating and providing tools that enable clients to implement simple nutrition and lifestyle strategies. In person and virtual visits.

ORGANIC MARKET & SUPPLEMENTS ORGANIC MARKETPLACE

1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-864-0605 OrganicMarketplaceNC.com 9am -7pm M/F, 9am-6pm Sat. Reliable community partner, local source for education, organic foods, personal care, products, supplements, aromatherapy, organic wine/beer and pet products. See ad, page 2.

To place a listing call 704-499-3327 or email

Ads@Awakening Charlotte.com

WEIGHT LOSS CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE

Lidia Adkins, CFMP, DC, PKT 216 S. New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-271-9757 • CWLI.net

Developer of the “40 Day Transformation” system, a physician designed and administered functional approach with programming tailored to the unique metabolism needs of each individual, to provide safe and sustained weight loss. Call for a free consultation.

CELEBRATING 27 years in THE business of

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Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

KnoWEwell.com

YOUR ONE-STOP SOLUTION TO HEALTH CARE A REGENERATIVE WHOLE HEALTH COMMUNITY & MARKETPLACE THERE IS NO SIMPLE WAY TO DESCRIBE KNOWEWELL BUT THINK BIG! “WebMD meets Match.com, HomeAdvisor, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Indeed for Regenerative Whole Health, all in one place for the benefit for everyone.”

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AwakeningCharlotte.com

Healthcare with a holistic approach NorthEast Internal & Integrative Medicine combines traditional primary care with evidence-based, alternative medicine therapies to promote wellness.

We offer: • Acupuncture

• Yoga

• Aromatherapy

• Preventive

• Massage

• Treatment

therapy • Nutritional therapy • Osteopathy • Therapeutic touch

annual physicals of chronic disease • Non-narcotic treatment of chronic pain • Healthy lifestyle changes

Schedule an appointment today at 704-403-7050 704-403-7050.

Our services are covered by most insurance plans.

NorthEast Internal & Integrative Medicine 707 Memorial Blvd., Concord, NC 28025 AtriumHealth.org/NorthEastInternal 28

Publication: Natural Awakenings Specs:7.5” x 4.75”

Client: Atrium Health NE Internal & Integrative Med Job#: ATRP-06847