This article highlights a common women’s health concern seen in my practice. Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, affects not only reproductive health and fertility, but also cardiovascular health.

Definition and Clinical Consequences

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a label referring to a complex and broad health picture. PCOS is diagnosed by presence of two of the following three things: (i) irregular ovulation or absence of ovulation, (ii) clinical and/or biochemical signs of high testosterone, and/or (iii) polycystic ovaries seen on ultrasound. While presentation varies, the most common clinical manifestations are infertility, male pattern hair growth, obesity, and absent or infrequent menses. However, these concerns represent only the tip of the iceberg with respect to the PCOS picture. Less obvious consequence of PCOS lie below the surface. Women and transgendered men who have PCOS are at risk for hypertension, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, type II diabetes, and abnormalities in blood lipids such as elevated triglycerides and oxidized cholesterol. Additional complications include increased risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer, an altered (increased) stress response, and difficulty maintaining or attaining desired body weight compared to people who do not have PCOS. Finally, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Linking Heart Disease and PCOS

Metabolic Syndrome, or Syndrome X, is defined by a constellation of factors including obesity (30-60% of women with PCOS are obese), insulin resistance, hypertension, and the blood lipid abnormalities mentioned above. Each of these items is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and each is commonly found in women and trans men with PCOS.

Treatment Approach

While biochemically complicated, and clinically variable, PCOS and associated risk factors are well-addressed via the individual, holistic, preventive approach to health care embodied by naturopathic medicine. According to one article published in the US journal Cardiology Review (2006), “the key elements involved in managing… metabolic syndrome are dietary and lifestyle modification”. Diet and lifestyle – the cornerstones naturopathic practice! Additionally, there are a variety of evidence-based naturopathic treatment options available to address an individual’s cardiac risk factors, along with their other presenting concerns.

Depending on the person, naturopathic treatment goals may include decreasing free testosterone, regulating blood sugar, decreasing insulin resistance, inducing regular ovulatory menstrual cycles, changing the profile of blood lipids, and reducing elevated blood pressure. In practice, I address individual risk factors via therapeutic diet plans, lifestyle modifications, and a range of specific herbs and supplements as indicated.

What can you do?

The 2 best things you can do for yourself, whether you have a diagnosis of PCOS or not:

• Exercise: 5 –7 days a week. With PCOS, ideally 30 minutes or more of aerobic exercise per day. Exercising (even 3 days a week) is a well-proven way of reducing your risk of everything from diabetes and heart disease to colon cancer and breast cancer. Exercise improves mood, making it part of the treatment for both PMS and depression. Find something fun, get out there and move your body!

• Eat well: dietary fibre (from whole grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, and ground flax seeds) and dietary antioxidants  & other nutrients (from vegetables, fruits, nuts & seeds) are irreplaceably important in regulating blood sugar, maintaining healthy blood vessels, and even in correcting hormone imbalances. Eat more whole foods, try to make a rainbow on your plate at every meal. Need inspiration? Ask for cookbook and recipe suggestions.

Need more individual advice?  Ready for a comprehensive preventive treatment plan? Consult with Mahalia Freed for a personalized assessment and treatment protocol.

Use natural medicines to boost effectiveness of chemotherapy & radiation, address side effects, speed recovery from surgery, enhance the immune system and improve energy. Incorporate dietary, supplement and lifestyle recommendations to prevent recurrence and optimize health.

In this two part talk we will start by examining the evolution of cancer care, and the role traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine in prevention, treatment & recovery. We will look in some detail at lifestyle factors including diet, stress, sleep, exercise, and laughter, exploring research findings and always bringing it back to what this means for people who are healing from cancer, or looking for active prevention strategies. We will also discuss environmental risk factors, and spend some time exploring supplements and herbs used in cancer prevention and treatment. Finally, we will end by highlighting the characteristics found in those who have “remarkable recoveries”. You will take home a handout with lifestyle and diet tips, resources for more information, and the list of remarkable recovery characteristics.

Please register via The Institute of Traditional Medicine:

info@instituteoftraditionalmedicine.com ; phone # above

Learn how to enhance and complement western medical treatments based on the most recent research findings. Use natural medicines to boost effectiveness of chemotherapy & radiation, address side effects, speed recovery from surgery, enhance the immune system and improve energy. Incorporate dietary, supplement and lifestyle recommendations to prevent recurrence and optimize health.

In this two part talk we will start by examining the evolution of cancer care, and the role traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine in prevention, treatment & recovery. We will look in some detail at lifestyle factors including diet, stress, sleep, exercise, and laughter, exploring research findings and always bringing it back to what this means for people who are healing from cancer, or looking for active prevention strategies. We will also discuss environmental risk factors, and spend some time exploring supplements and herbs used in cancer prevention and treatment. Finally, we will end by highlighting the characteristics found in those who have “remarkable recoveries”. You will take home a handout with lifestyle and diet tips, resources for more information, and the list of remarkable recovery characteristics.

Please register via The Institute of Traditional Medicine:

info@instituteoftraditionalmedicine.com ; phone # above

Are you tired of dealing with sneezing, runny nose, congestion and watery eyes every spring and fall? Are you looking for an alternative to over the counter drugs?

There are natural and highly effective ways to resolve your seasonal allergy symptoms. Join Drs Angela Warburton TCM and Mahalia Freed ND for insights into allergy treatment from the perspectives of Chinese and naturopathic medicine. In this talk you will learn about natural remedies for allergies as well as the underlying conditions that set the stage for them to occur. From digestive health, household cleaning products and lifestyle modifications, you will leave with concrete strategies to eradicate your sniffles, sneezes, and sinus pain.

Please Preregister via Whole Foods to Reserve your Spot: 416-944-0500

Feeling sluggish or tired? Sick of being sick? Ready to be proactive about your health?

Spring into optimal health as the seasons change! In this presentation, Drs Angela Warburton TCM and Mahalia Freed, ND, will share tips for undertaking a safe and successful cleanse that is manageable for you. Learn the what, why, who and how of detoxification and cleansing. Explore the role of the liver in eastern and western medical traditions as a central organ of detoxification. Nourish yourself with a liver loving cleanse for spring!

Please Preregister via Whole Foods to Reserve your Spot: 416-944-0500

High cholesterol? Heart disease? High blood pressure? There is much you can do to stay heart healthy, beyond taking prescription medications. Discover how natural medicine can you help to manage and prevent cardiovascular concerns. Complement the effect of your medications, bring your blood pressure down, strengthen your heart, and keep cholesterol levels normal with simple, effective treatments from acupuncture to herbs. Join Drs Mahalia Freed, ND, and Angela Warburton TCM to learn easy to implement diet, lifestyle, and supplement strategies for attaining and maintaining cardiovascular health.

Please Preregister via Whole Foods to Reserve your Spot: 416-944-0500

Living a typical, overscheduled urban life can wreak havoc on your digestive health. Join Drs Mahalia Freed, ND and Angela Warburton TCM to explore the connections between stress and digestion.

You will learn about:

• Treatment of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Preventing bloating, gas, and stomach pain
• What happens in your body biochemically and physiologically when you are “stressed out”
• Stress coping mechanisms; and
• Nutritional, herbal and supplement tips for a healthy and happy gut

Please Preregister via Whole Foods to Reserve your Spot: 416-944-0500

Join Drs Tanya Smith, TCM, and Mahalia Freed, ND to learn how to address the following concerns, naturally:

• optimal pregnancy nutrition & supplementation
• nausea
• fatigue
• high blood pressure
• high blood sugar
• low thyroid function
• heartburn, constipation
• hemorrhoid prevention
• breech position
• pain: back, pubic, gastrointestinal

Please Preregister via Whole Foods to Reserve your Spot: 416-944-0500

Join Drs Angela Warburton, TCM and Mahalia Freed, ND to learn how to increase your immunity and maintain high energy to coast through cold and ‘flu season unscathed. Workplaces may be a prime environment for the spread of colds and ‘flus, but by utilizing simple strategies when you feel something coming on, you can beat the bugs. Apply dietary, lifestyle and supplement tips to decrease duration and severity of symptoms and prevent illnesses for you and your loved ones. Stay healthy all season long with natural medicine on your side.

Please Preregister via Whole Foods to Reserve your Spot: 416-944-0500

Don’t let your bone health get you out of joint! You can maintain the vibrant, active life you desire. Join Drs Angela Warburton TCM and Mahalia Freed ND to learn how to manage & minimize arthritis, osteoporosis, and other structural concerns. Get the facts on foods and nutrients to support healthy joints and strong bones. Learn about posture, exercise and diet to build strong bones, and decrease inflammation and pain. Leave with a handout packed with nutrition and lifestyle tips you can implement every day, for healthier bones and joints.