Hello Kathleen. There are three main ways to test heavy metals. They are serum, urine and hair. Serum is good for acute exposure, urine is good for both acute and chronic, meaning that body store level (with chelating agent), and hair analysis is good for methylmercury but not dental mercury overload. Urine analysis is a gold standard test for heavy metal toxicity. Please note that no test can show TOTAL body burden of heavy metals. Good agents to take to chelate mercury is either DMSA or DMPS. EDTA will give very poor dumping of mercury. For chelation (treatment uses an agent to remove heavy metals from your body), you need to work with licensed practitionars who understands the treatment protocol. I wouldn't recommend to do by yourself since you can have adverse reactions or side effects if you do incorrectly. I usually add other nutrients and herbs that enhance detoxification process and minimize side effects of detoxification. Thank you very much for the question. In health. Dr. Takashima.    « less

Hello Heidi Psoriasis is a hyperproliferative disease of the skin. Normally, skin cells (primarily keratinocytes) take about a month for new cells to move from the lower layers of skin up to the surface. In psoriasis, this process takes only a few days, resulting in build-up of dead skin cells and formation of thick scale. It is very common and can appear suddenly or gradually. It appears to be related to the immune or inflammatory response and it is a treatable condition naturally. I do complehensive history taking including review of systems, diet, lifestyle, stress, emotion, spritual etc, then find out the cause of psoriasis and treat accordingly. I usually introduce (of course depends on the person): RE-ESTABLISH THE BASIS OF HEALTH: Determine Food allergies, Eat a well-balanced diet high in carotenes which decreases cGMP activity, Decrease or avoid: Alcohol, sugar, lithium, Increase fiber consumption, Obtain adequate rest and exercise; treat respiratory and other infections promptly. Flare-ups decrease with maintaining good general health, Maintain good skin hygiene to prevent secondary infections. Avoid harsh scrubbing, which can irritate the skin and cause new outbreaks.Increase Hydration, Sunlight, Ocean air, and Stress reduction- meditation, yoga, Tai Qi. STIMULATE HEALING POWER OF THE BODY: constitutional hydrotherapy and homeopathy. CORRECT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY:UVA, UVB light, Oatmeal baths may be soothing and may help to loosen scales. Commercial preparations may be used, or mix one cup of oatmeal into a tub of warm water. TONIFY SYSTEMS: Nutrients and herbs that support systems. TOPICAL: natural topical treatemts. If you have more questions, please contact 920-2211. Thank you for posting the question.    « less

Hello Anna. Yes I can treat rheumatoid arthritis natually and successfully. Finding a cause of the condition is a key. Many people have a connection to digestive issues. In that case, of course, I will treat the gut and add anti-inflammatory natural treatments such as diet, herb, homeopath and vitamins. Naturopathic constitutional hydrotherapy and balneotherapy will be also helpful. Those treatments are offered in my clinc. For more information, please contact at 920-2211. Thank you very much. In health.    « less

Hi Kevin Using homeopathic for cold and flu is very helpful. There are a lot of homeopathic remedies for cold and flu. Unfortunately, I cannot list all of them and list each description of the remedies in details, but I will try my best. Please note that this is for acute remedies, not constitutional. Allium - profuse, acrid watery discharge from nose, bland from eyes. Antimoniaum - wet and rattling cough, but unproductive. Very weak. Belladonna - high fevers, thirstless, sudden onset. Baptisia - rapid onset of flu, malodorous and offensive secretions. Euphrasia - acrid teas with bland nasal discharge. Ferrum - high fever, early stage of a fever without other symptoms. Kali bichromium - sinusitis with thick sticky nasal discharge. Antimonium - rattling mucous in chest on respiration, cannot expectrate. Cuprum - spasmodic cough, droscera - paroxysmal cough, cough triggered by lying down. Rumex - cough worse in the morning, 11pm, change of temperature. Oscillococcinum - onset of flu. I will also add treatments that help to fight cold and flu such as herbs and vitamins. There is a homeopathic vaccination that is helpful to prevent flu at my office. For more information. please contact 920-2211. Thank you for asking.    « less

Hello Laila I don't bill insurance at my clinic, however, I will give my patients something called "superbill" to get reimbursed of your visit. It is up to your insurance company if your visit will be covered or not, but usually PPO covers naturalpathic docotor's visit, blood work or imaging. In addition, health saving account can cover naturopathic doctors. If you would like, I can send you the list of questions you may want to ask them. Thank you very much for your interest. In health.    « less

Hello Mary Yes, I can prescribe bioidentical hormones. Since I am a naturopathic doctor, not only I look at estrogen and progesterone, but also I look at other hormones such as testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, thyroid etc because they work togehter to balance your hormones. For example, people who are very stressed, the cortisol level will go up first and down eventually. Cortisol can influence the level of other hormones like estrogens and thyroid. I also spend a lot of time with my patients (first vist is 90 minutes) asking about diets, emotions, enviroments and other health concerns since those things can affect hormone balances. I use compound pharmacies to prescribe the best dosage for your body. I can also give suggestions for diet/nutritions to support women's transition. If you have any further questions, please call 831-920-2211. Thank you.    « less