Dr. Emily Munn
401-14022 32nd Ave V4P 2J2 Surrey, BC, Canada

Could it be male factor infertility? There are lots of natural treatment options that can help improve sperm parameters! Talk to your local ND who specializes in fertility <3 http://globalnews.ca//docs-find-very-steep-decline-in-spe/

Please don’t forgo potatoes with dinner only to binge on Paleo ice cream for dessert. Summer time brings sun, sand, and sweets...here's a gentle reminder to watch your sugar and what is meant by sugar. http://www.larabriden.com/quit-sugar-and-what-i-mean-by-su/

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to phytoestrogens. The research is clear, phytoestrogens (ie. found in soy) do not contain estrogen, do not increase estrogen, nor do they cause hormonal cancers. Check out the numerous soy blog posts by Dr. Tori Hudson who has done her research! http://drtorihudson.com//soy-for-women-with-pcos-its-a-go/

New guidelines suggest giving peanuts to babies early to avoid peanut allergies later. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38518185

New Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines advises women suffering from pregnancy-related digestive upset ("morning sickness") to start with non-drug treatments such as ginger, vitamin B6 and acupressure/acupuncture to ease their symptoms. Talk to your local naturopathic doctor for more details on natural treatment options for nausea in pregnancy. http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/morning-sickness-1.3899917

Ideas to help clear your space. 2017 is here!!! http://www.mindbodygreen.com//10-ways-to-clear-your-home-o

If you are cooking a turkey this Christmas... http://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and//turkey-which-is-best/

How is the state of your heart today? Worth the read. And if you feel too busy to read this...even more important to take 5 minutes to read it ;) http://www.onbeing.org/blog/the-disease-of-being-busy/7023

Simple natural home remedy to ease cold and flu symptoms! Note: do NOT give honey to babies under 1 year old.

Exercise improves mood and research suggests that it helps both prevent and treat depression. Among millions of people, the link between fitness and mental health is considerable! Tip: Shovelling snow is a form of exercise ;) http://www.nytimes.com//how-exercise-might-keep-depression

Great reminder from Dr. Low Dog, MD! "As we age our bodies and brains sometimes need a little outside help to keep us functioning at our best. Research shows that women and men over 50 are often at risk of developing a B12 deficiency, even if we are eating plenty of protein-rich (and therefore B12-rich) foods like meat, fish, milk, cheese and eggs. It turns out our stomach acids change as we age and the older we get the less efficient our bodies are at drawing all the necessa...ry nutrients out of our food. When this leads to a deficiency in B12, big problems can follow such as fatigue, muscle weakness, reflex issues, depression, and cognitive decline. Be sure to get that B12 daily to keep your brain and body strong..." B12 supplementation either orally or quick and virtually painless shots help combat fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive decline and depressed mood. Ask your naturopathic doctor about B12 supplementation. See more

Insulin resistance is very common. It causes weight gain, inflammation, anovulatory cycles, and fertility issues to name a few. Good thing = it is treatable! Proper diet, natural supplements like magnesium, good sleep, and balanced hormones like enough active thyroid hormone (T3), can restore insulin sensitivity. Talk to your local naturopathic physician for more information :) http://www.larabriden.com/reverse-insulin-resistance-in-4-/

A 2016 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition used the DII to study whether an inflammatory diet had an effect on depression risk in middle-aged women. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) is a tool developed to evaluate the inflammatory potential of different diets. The paper looked at data from 6,438 women in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, and found that women who had the most anti-inflammatory diets had a 20 percent reduced risk of developing depression than women eating the most pro-inflammatory diets. If you would like to learn more about what makes an anti-inflammatory diet, talk to your local naturopathic doctor!

Check out the clinic's new website! I love where I work and the brilliant, kind-hearted practitioners I have the privilege to collaborate with :) https://livingwellness.ca/

Happy International Day of the Girl.

Are you on the pill? You are more likely to be depressed based on a large prospective cohort study... More than 1 million women aged 15 to 34, with no prior history of depression, were included in this Danish study. MORE THAN ONE MILLION. Researchers found that women on the pill were 23% more likely to use antidepressants. Adolescents using combined oral contraceptives had an 80% increased risk of antidepressant use and those using progesterone-only pills a 120% higher risk. ...Because it is a prospective cohort study, the research can only offer possible links between the pill and depression... Anyone who treats women knows that hormonal contraception affects mood. http://khn.org//large-danish-study-links-contraceptive-us/

Did you know taking anti-inflammatory drugs for those menstrual cramps or other pain conditions can affect your fertility by inhibiting ovulation? This study found that after just ten days of non-sterodial anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), there was a significant decrease in progesterone, a hormone essential for ovulation, as well as functional cysts in one third of patients. Talk to your naturopathic doctor about natural alternatives to NSAIDs and how to enhance your fertility. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releas/2015//150611082124.htm

NEW blog post! http://www.dremilymunn.ca/male-factor-infertility-improve-/

I just got back from a nice long walk to the beach in the sun with my puppy :) During my hour or so walk, I listened to this podcast of Dr. Aviva Romm chatting with Dr. Tieraona Low Dog about whether or not to take supplements. As Aviva points out, if you can, listen to the very end as the most valuable piece of advice for women's health is given then. http://avivaromm.com/tieraona-low-dog

Wow, these look good! Beans add fiber, calcium, and protein. I would change the canola oil for unrefined coconut oil and decrease the amount of sugar and use another form like 100% maple syrup. https://health.clevelandclinic.org//fudgy-black-bean-bro/

A step forward. For anyone who hasn't heard... http://www.wellandgood.com//fda-says-antibacterial-soaps-/

ACV! Who knew it had so many uses! I often recommend apple cider vinegar for its helpful insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation properties. https://authoritynutrition.com/apple-cider-vinegar-uses/

A patient asked me the other day what I thought about depo-provera shots. Short answer, "I wouldn't recommend it to anyone." http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org//i-wouldnt-recommend-it/

Alternatives to tylenol for headaches in pregnancy -a common question I get asked in my practice. Here is a good resource from Aviva recently updated to include more research cautioning its use in pregnancy. I would add acupuncture to the list of safe and effective alternatives! http://avivaromm.com/headaches-in-pregnancy

The dog days of summer is my favourite time of year to get into a good book. A recent Yale study suggests reading a chapter a day may keep the Grim Reaper away: book lovers lived almost 2 years longer than people who kept their novels closed! http://www.ridgecrestca.com//best-reason-for-reading-book-

Soy has been controversial for years, but a new study finds it beneficial for PCOS. "There is growing interest in how adding soy to the diet can help address metabolic syndrome and related health conditions," Asemi said. "Our findings indicate consuming soy isoflavone regularly may help women with PCOS improve their metabolic and cardiovascular health."

Engaging in about an hour of brisk walking or other moderate-intensity activity EVERYDAY can negate the increased mortality risk associated with sitting for prolonged periods, suggests a meta-analysis in Lancet medical journal. Also to note, watching TV for more than 3 hours daily was associated with increased mortality in all BUT the most active group. http://www.jwatch.org//one-hour-exercise-daily-can-offset-

"Hot flashes, sleep problems, mood swings, and crazy heavy periods. Is this menopause already? And you’re only 42? No, menopause may still be a decade away. This is perimenopause, which is defined as the 2-10 years of hormonal changes that precede menopause." I treat many women experiencing perimenopausal symptoms and do exactly what Lara Briden outlines here in her latest blog post with fantastic results! http://www.larabriden.com/what-estrogen-does-perimenopaus/

This looks promising and pretty cool! Take care of your gut microbiome and it will take care of you. http://www.greenmedinfo.com//germs-beat-vaccines-their-own

Stress kills. We've heard it before. But how? Stress increases inflammatory chemicals in the body known as cytokines. Good news! Exercise, meditation, sleep, good wholesome nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle can ameliorate the long term damaging effects of stress. I hope you have slowed down this July and taken a much needed and deserved break. Is it time we look at stress as a disease in and of itself? https://www.psychologytoday.com//201211/stress-the-killer-

Summery Ginger Lemonade !!! Easy peasy with a lovely spiced kick.

This looks refreshing for a hot day! Organic strawberries or raspberries, lime, cucumber, icy cold still or sparkling water and blend. Fresh spearmint or basil would be good additions. Honey is optional. http://www.alive.com/recipe/very-berry-mexican-limeade/

These 5 things go for most women's health concerns when coming to see a naturopathic doctor. We are here to help :) http://naturopathicpediatrics.com//5-things-know-seeing-/

New blog post! Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder affecting millions of women. Do you have PCOS or know someone who does? Read more to learn about possible causes, signs and symptoms, and holistic treatment options for PCOS. http://www.dremilymunn.ca/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-101/

An informative infographic discussing some of the most common underlying causes of unexplained infertility, along with appropriate testing and assessment <3 http://ndnr.com/naturo/unexplained-infertility-infographic/

"Would you like a side of phthalates with that?" Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are known for being added to plastics, but may also be found in cosmetics, personal care produces, and fast food. Research has found a dose-dependent correlation between fast food intake and phthalate concentration in urine. When it comes to fertility, increased urinary phthalate concentration is not a good thing for healthy semen parameters, implantation success, and live birth rates. So just remember to "hold the phthalates, please." http://thenatpath.com/asplin/8445/

Do you suffer from premenstrual migraines? A sudden drop in estrogen before menstruation can be a trigger. Working with a naturopathic doctor to balance your hormones can help treat and prevent migraine headaches, naturally. http://www.webmd.com//exploring-the-link-between-estrogen-