The Art & Practice Blog
A Naturopathic Approach to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common hormonal imbalance in women of reproductive age and can result in weight gain, infertility, acne, irregular cycles and unwanted hair growth. I talk about a naturopathic and functional approach to managing...
A Morning Smoothie Recipe for Mental Health
I often recommend smoothies as an easy way to manage mental health symptoms, balance blood sugar, reduce inflammation and increase energy. I discuss the types of foods I put into my morning smoothie and their benefits on the body and mind....
The 6-2-6 Breath for Stress and Overwhelm
The 6-2-6 breath is a yogic breathing technique that can help calm the mind, benefitting feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGV4QDf74kY&t=73s Hello. My name is Dr. Talia Marcheggiani. I'm a naturopathic doctor and mental health...
Alternate Nostril Breathing
Alternate nostril breathing is a yogic breathing practice that can help boost mental clarity and calm the mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfgTIZNCZEo&t=173s Hello, everyone. My name is Dr. Talia Marcheggiani and I'm a naturopathic doctor with a special focus in...
A Naturopathic Doctor Prepares 7+ Meals in Three Hours or Less
The key to having healthy, delicious meals on the go is organization. I explain how I overcome a busy schedule by doing a focused grocery-shop, heating up the oven and batch-cooking seven or more whole-food, healthy meals in under three hours. You know the feeling:...
7 Ways a Naturopathic Doctor Can Help You Rethink Breakfast
As a naturopathic doctor, one of the first things I recommend to my patients is a breakfast overhaul. Adding healthy fats, protein and vegetables to the first morning meal can change your hormonal signalling and improve your energy and mood. When it comes to writing...
Gluten Sensitivity and Mental Health
Current research suggest that gluten can increase systemic inflammation, contributing to a worsening of mental health symptoms, as well as other inflammatory conditions, such as pain and autoimmune disease. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc8CH4KpW8I Transcript:...
Shinrin-Yoku: The Art of Forest Bathing
In this video I talk about the Japanese art of Shinrin-Yoku, or "forest bathing" and how incorporating this practice into your routine can set you up for improved mental health and stress management. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHs1P1zEx7s Hello, everybody, my...
Amino Acid Therapy for Mental Health
Certain amino acids, when taken therapeutically, can affect our body's ability to produce neurotransmitters that can greatly impact our mental and emotional health. These therapies can help treat depression, food addictions, alcoholism, psychosis and anxiety, among...
On Emotions and Eating
My mother tells a story about my childhood where she is standing in the kitchen, preparing dinner. I stand below her, tugging at her shirt, and begging for food. "I'm hungry", I say, according to her recollection of that moment and many others like it; she says that...
Estrogen Dominance, Hormone Balance and the Mirena IUD
In response to my very popular article about the Mirena IUD and how that can upset hormone balance, or further an existing imbalance, I talk about a condition called "estrogen dominance" can result in hormonal symptoms, such as PMS, infertility, weight gain and...
All About Naturopathic Medicine, An Educational Talk
In this video I give an education talk to a group of seniors at the Bernard Betel Centre about naturopathic medicine. I discuss our philosophy, education, what kinds of conditions we treat and answer some questions along the way....
Stress + Resilience: Building Your Wheel of Balance
I talk about how to manage stress and promote mental health and emotional wellness through assessing balance in the key areas of your life that promote a healthy mind and body. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxBlgwEMCs4&t=2s Hello, everybody, my name is Dr. Talia...
On Healing Regret
Someone, I think it was Eckhart Tolle, once said that when it comes to mental illness, anxiety is about worry for the future, while depression is concerned with regret for the past. While, I'm not entirely (or even nearly) convinced that this is true, there is little...
Where There Is Mental Illness, There Is Poor Digestion
I'm tired of hearing mental health conditions blamed on a "chemical imbalance". Patients everywhere are being told that their mental health conditions are, literally, "all in their heads". With this diagnosis—often distributed insensitively, and without much attention...
The Gut-Brain Connection
The gut-brain connection has gotten the attention of researchers and functional medical practitioners. I discuss, briefly, what research has shown us in regards to the complex realm of the microbiome and how depression may be a result of inflammation in the brain,...
The Stress-Depression Connection
When our minds are stressed, how do our bodies react? We experience something called "adrenal fatigue" that can closely mimic the symptoms of depression. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgl8PtcbAsk Hi, naturopathic doctor, Talia Marcheggiani, here. I'm a mental health...
Should I Go On Anti-Depressant Medication?
"I was born with an imbalance in my brain," my patient explains to me, "The medication corrects it—Since I started taking Cipralex, I wake up feeling like a normal person again." It is estimated that about 10% of adults in North America are taking a medication to help...
Healing the Healers, Activists and Artists
It seems like the world is falling apart. These days more than ever. Race wars, weapons, war, wealth concentrated into the hands of a few, and violence, Facebook is filled with videos that fill our heads and hearts with a complicated mixture of sadness, anger,...
Tired, Fat, Cold and Depressed: Treating Hypothyroidism Naturally
I have some amazing news—my patient is better. Whereas only a few short months ago, he was plagued by inexplicable weight gain, debilitating fatigue, depressed mood—convincing him he must be suffering from clinical depression—a sore throat and an inability to regulate...