The older I get, the more difficulty I have with constipation. I know this is making me feel sluggish, gain weight from impaction. I have been using teas and laxitives for temporary relief. Is there a more natural way?

It is correct to realize that the less well your elimination channels flow, the more toxic your system will become. I recommend you find a high quality pro-biotic, that is prescribed by you by a trusted physician specializing in detoxification and holistic health, and I recommend that you ensure the quality of this and all other medicinal substances, both natural and chemical using whatever bio-dermal testing equipment they have available. Additionally, please ensure that you are consuming adequate water and high fiber foods that your body tolerates well. This can also be determined by simple evaluation and testing, by a physician who specializes in healthy bowel function. Healthy bowel activity is after each full meal or minimum of one time per day if you consume very small portions. Never less than that as the accumulated waste will attract parasites and bacteria in your gut and cause gas and bloating.

Do you suffer from constipation, sluggishness, weight gain, gas and bloating? Dr. Ostroff recognizes that your well-being depends on your elimination channels being optimally functional. In fact, for most health and energy conditions, this is the first line of defense attended to, to ensure toxic build up does not occur. We have found that by tending to digestive health, joint pain, achiness, irritability, hot flashes, PMS, gastric reflux and uncomfortable feelings in the gut vanish for good.

Dr. Ostroff, my daughter has been on asthma medicine, inhalers and steroids since she was an infant. Her condition has not cleared and her immune system seems to be struggling. Is there another way to treat her congestion?

Yes. It sounds like your granddaughter needs to have a comprehensive allergies test whereby we may determine possible causes to her breathing problems, rather than just treat the symptoms. The foods that are producing mucus will need to be eliminated, while her immune system is strengthened. There are a variety of immune system herbs and nutrients on the market, however, due to her compromised health, it would be to your advantage to have her tested for naturopathic medicinal and nutritional supplements rather than continue to risk giving her the imprecise remedies.

If you are struggling with asthma, chronic nasal or lung congestion, allergies or eczema, Dr. Ostroff at our Center for Natural Healing, will provide you with a comprehensive evaluation to assist you in identifying the most offending foods and substances, while addressing your immune system, and respiratory health, in order to assist you in breathing clearly, and feeling well, without the need for inhalers, steroids or OTC medicines.

The problem with treating symptoms like yours with OTC or prescription medicines is that you are chasing symptoms rather than finding the cause of the problem.

If we were to break it down and look for cause, often the answer could be found in relation to what was being consumed or in many cases what is lacking in the diet.The first consideration is in nutrition. Is the diet rich in alkaline based foods? Secondly, are you hydrating yourself sufficiently? The body, being 75% water and the brain 83%, requires that there is adequate replenishing of itself. Fresh, clean water must be consumed daily to hydrate the brain, otherwise being the master regulator, it will draw the water up from other organs if it becomes deficient. This pulling of the body fluid up to the brain, leaves the other organs lacking in vital body fluids. This alone can lead to heartburn, gastric ulcers and ulcerative colitis, and other threatening illnesses. So drink your water!

From what I have observed in my 25 years of practice, is that there are many conditions in which symptoms are being lump-summed and labeled; yet are nothing more than a list of imbalance that have occurred in a once healthy person because of lack of awareness, knowledge, understanding, and care to the delicate individual.

Whether treating fibromyalgia, CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, PMS, pre-menstrual syndrome or any other condition; care and attention must be placed on the whole individual rather than spot treating the symptoms of the disease entity. All individuals are the same in terms of structure and function, but each of us are so unique in our cellular and genetic makeup, out past conditioning, the environment in which we grew up, our life experiences, our nutritional status, lifestyle, etc and these circumstances must be taken into consideration when treating individuals; rather than treating a “disease” with a pill.

When treating an individual, I like to begin by establishing their willingness. Is the person ready and willing? Will he or she be an active player and teammate in the process of healing which must be embarked on? Deep healing on all levels is a project, not a quick fix. Many people want their doctor to ”fix” them. Healing is a journey to be under taken with intention, care, unconditional love, openness and willingness on many levels.

Secondly, care is given to address nutritional issues, the digestive system, the immune system, circulatory system, respiratory, hormonal, as well the emotional and structural aspects of the individual. Physical medicine, acupuncture, vitamin/mineral/enzyme, herbal and homeopathic medicine, or any other substance found in nature might be used on a case specific basis depending upon what is necessary to bring balance and homeostasis back to the individual, who somewhere along the line, fell off the track.

As healing begins to occur from the inside on so many levels, symptoms rapidly fall away and true health begins to emerge. It is a team effort between the patient and the doctor, and the journey is most magical and magnificent once the commitment to healing is made.

There are many causes of gas formation in the G.I. (gastrointestinal tract), and usually there is a combination of predisposing factors. Common causes include digestive insufficiency, or lack of one or more digestive enzymes, namely hydrochloric acid, pepsin, amylase, or lipase. Without adequate digestive enzymes there will be incomplete digestion, which may lead to fermentation or rotting - which is the opposite of good digestion.

Healthy digestion requires not only healthy choices but also eating in a way that supports proper digestion. Eating fruit after meals may also lead to bloating because when heavier foods are in the stomach and fruit enters the system, the heavier food blocks the passage of fruit, which is designed to digest rapidly. Once trapped, the fermentation begins. The gases represent fermentation of undigested food in combination with the waste products of the microbes (or “bad bugs” and parasites) that live in the gut. Consuming allergenic foods may also produce faulty bi-products of digestion and lead to a toxic gut.

Part of your comprehensive naturopathic evaluation and treatment will include assessment of your diet as well as the way in which you combine your foods, the sufficiency of enzymes and pro-biotics; and appropriate cleansing and detoxification to restore gastro-intestinal health and optimal, balanced energy.

 By Diana Joy Ostroff

For both men and women, there is a marked shift that occurs to the body and mind as we transition from childbearing years into and through the golden years. Though I had my children in my 40’s and managed to take exceptional care of myself throughout most of my adult life, I noticed a radical change in how my body performed once I reached 50.

I will share with you what I have found to be most useful for maintaining healthy physiologic, neurologic, structural, and cellular health.

It may be of interest for you to know that up until we are 35 years old, there is an ongoing regeneration of bone and other tissues. At age 35, the reverse occurs.. From age 35, bones slowly begin to degenerate losing their strength and placing elderly at risk of osteoporosis.

This bone decline also occurs as the result of decreases in hormone production. Estrogen production is significantly diminished in women and testosterone for men. Other hormones that diminish are progesterone, cortisol, DHEA, and thyroid. The diminution of hormones also predisposes us to forgetfulness, irritability, the inability to regulate our body temperature, depression, anxiety and low energy.

If we wish to keep up with these changes which reduce the overall quality of our lives as we age, we must check our individual hormone profiles in addition to furnishing our bodies with the highest quality of nutrients and natural remedies for a healthy mind, strong heart, clear vessels, a healthy gut flora, good digestion, and balanced energy.

Please bear in mind that the protocols for graceful aging and longevity will vary among individuals and will differ greatly from the standard recommendations given by your MD. Though naturopathic medicine can restore health and balance, there will never be any negative side effects or interferences with other substances if provided by me. The only side effect is excellent health if recommendations are followed.

Parents want the best for their children in all aspects of their life – but especially their health – from pregnancy to birth and each day as they watch and help them grow. Naturopathic pediatric care helps parents to give their children the healthiest possible start in life. In the February/March issue of Hawaii Parent magazine, Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff, N.D., L.Ac. helps Hawaii parents understand naturopathic medicine and how it can play a vital role in the health of their children.

Dr. Ostroff explains one of the guiding principles of Naturopathic Medicine to Hawaii parents: to identify and treat the underlying cause of an illness. For example, a naturopathic physician will identify the cause of a child’s recurring ear infections, discuss with the parents what may be causing the infections, and what steps may be taken to correct the cause, rather than simply treating each infection as it occurs.

There is no need to worry about what to expect from naturopathic pediatric care. Dr. Ostroff explains what to expect in the comprehensive first visit – discussion of the child’s health history, answering any and all questions the parent may have, a physical exam, and, if the child is ill, consideration of what factors may be contributing to the illness. A first visit with a sick child will be focused on immediate relief for the child, with longer-term treatment plans scheduled for an upcoming visit.

Naturopathic pediatric care includes treatment of a variety of conditions, disorders, injuries, illnesses and infections. Contact the Center for Natural Healing to make an appointment for yourself or your child by calling 808-373-9966. Be sure to pick up a free copy of the February/March edition of Hawaii Parent magazine to read Dr. Ostroff’s column, or view the digital edition and turn to page 122.

It is important to maintain the correct hormone levels to achieve optimal health. With the assistance of an expert naturopathic doctor that specializes in the field of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, you can easily achieve balance in your life again.

Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff in Honolulu, Hawaii offer full hormone screening to test your sex hormones; estrogen, progesterone, testosterone; stress hormones, DHEA, cortisol; metabolic hormones like thyroid, T3, T4 and TSH; melatonin, prolactin and pregnenolone. Dr. Ostroff can also prescribe a natural hormone replacement protocol and supplements.

Dr. Ostroff will prescribe a protocol based on your individual situation so that you can retain your well being, energy levels, libido, sex drive and the ability to enjoy your life as your body changes during the natural aging process.

Therapy ranges from bio-identical, herbal, glandular or homeopathic and nutritional; or a combination.

Understanding metabolism, as well as the breakdown and detoxification of estrogens, can help in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, heart disease and cancer; and the healthy prevention of weight gain during menopause.

Call Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff directly at 808-373-9966 to schedule your initial appointment, discuss your symptoms and decide on a course of treatment for your specific needs.

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, December 15, 2011 -- Ostroff Diana J has been selected for the 2011 Best of Honolulu Award in the Physicians & Surgeons category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

READY TO LOSE INCHES OF FAT ...
NO PAIN, NO RISK,
NO SURGERY, NO DOWNTIME

NON-INVASIVE ZERONA BODY CONTOURING LASER NOW AVAILABLE AT CENTER FOR NATURAL HEALING IN AINA HAINA

Looking for the easiest, safest way to lose several inches of ugly fat?

Need a jumpstart to help make the lifestyle changes you know you need to achieve and maintain long-term fitness and good health?

The Center for Natural Healing in Aina Haina now offers treatments using the FDA-approved Erchonia Zerona laser, which non-invasively removes 3 to 6 inches of fat combined off an overweight person’s waist, hips and thighs in 6 sessions over two weeks. More sessions will take off more inches. Call 373-9966 to schedule your FREE consultation to discuss how the Zerona laser can help you look better and feel better.

DETOX FOOTBATHS AVAILABLE

The Center for Natural Healing now also offers detoxifying footbaths. The Erchonia EB-Pro non-invasively removes toxins from the cells that may be part of the cause of debilitating conditions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, severe allergies and chronic pain. A single footbath costs $50. As our End of Year special for this wonderful modality, the Center is offering a series of 12 footbaths for $420.

Please call 373-9966 to reserve your space at our FREE Laser Seminar at the Center for Natural Wellness. At this seminar, you will learn how the Zerona laser removes fat from the body without any surgery, pain, drugs or risk.

You will also learn how Zerona differs from other body contouring procedures, including liposuction, SmartLipo, SlimLipo, Zeltiq, mesotherapy and Lipolyte.

FREE DETOX FOOTBATH

The first 5 people who sign up for and attend the Laser Seminar will receive a free ionic detoxifying footbath. Please call 373-9966 to sign up for the seminar or to schedule a series of footbaths.


END OF YEAR ZERONA SPECIALS

Attend the seminar or come in for a FREE consult and learn about our End of Year Very Special Offers. What a great Christmas present for you or someone you love.