This study evaluated the effects of bright light therapy in 24 healthy adult men with early-morning awakening insomnia. Participants received either the bright light condition (2500-lux white light) or the control (dim red light) condition. The investigators measured rectal temperature and urinary melatonin rhythms before and after the 2 evenings of light therapy. Subjects receiving the light intervention were presented with light while they watched television from 8:00 pm to midnight on the first day, and from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am on the second night of the study. The investigators monitored sleep and daytime functioning with sleep diaries, activity monitors, and mood scales before light therapy and for 4 weeks during the follow-up period. From Medscape

A woman's hormonal balance can also affect her sleep, among other things. In past newsletters I've written about estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance, which increases in frequency as women approach menopause and ovulation slows down and eventually ceases, means by definition, a decrease in progesterone since ovulation stimulates progesterone secretion. Among some of the many things a proper balance of progesterone does for a woman's body, is to increase the ease and depth of her sleep. Many women around the age of 35-40 notice their PMS , acne, anxiety, and menstrual flow increasing while the quality of their sleep decreases. Progesterone, as well as being a byproduct of ovulation, acts as a natural sedative for those who are deficient. Naturopathic physicians are the only healthcare practitioners who are fully and properly trained in the use of natural botanical sources of progesterone. For more information, please call our office at (303)443-2206.

My patients often wonder how I choose the proper homeopathic remedy for them. Homeopathy, as many of you know is a main area of expertise of mine. I enjoyed learning about the mind/body connection and I became intrigued when I saw how deeply patients healed when they were prescribed the proper remedy. Often what leads me to the remedy in addition to the patient's story is how they present to me. One of my mentors used to say that the whole case can be seen in the first 5 minutes that they walk in the door. Even in very complicated cases when I finally crack the case, I look back and see that often it was all there from the beginning but I just wasn't able to see it yet.

For example, does the patient arrive early or late? How are they dressed? Are they organized? What kind of simple language do they use? Do they speak in a flood of random words or am I coaxing monosyllables? Later, do they need to constantly reschedule their appointments? Do their checks bounce? And in children especially are they exploring everything in my office or are they clinging to their mother? All of this gives me information that I may use in my decisions when choosing a remedy. A good homeopath is a bit like Sherlock Holmes.

Even then sometimes the case is hard to see initially. We all have our compensations that we unconsciously use in the outside world to fit in and be socialized. But eventually we all decompensate at some point, sometimes not until the 3rd visit or so and that is where a keen observer or homeopath can finally crack the case!

Just a reminder! Purchase Vita Kids (chewable) vitamins or Vita Big Kids (small capsules) from my website and 100% of net proceeds goes to Free A Child (www.freeachild.org)!