.www.onelifenaturopathic.org The largest gathering of naturopathic doctors is coming to the Coachella Valley this July 10-12 as the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) holds their 2025 annual convention in Indian Wells. Although the profession of naturopathic medicine has been around for 150 years and is well integrated on a global scale, the AANP is celebrating their 40th anniversary and stands as a leader in advancing the profession.1,2 Hundreds of naturopathic medical doctors (ND/NMD) and other health care professionals will be in the area for this event. This year’s theme, The Heart of Naturopathic Medicine, highlights foundational naturopathic philosophy and approaches alongside advances in modern medicine, a true representation of the unique expertise ND/NMDs embody. This year’s agenda does not disappoint with topics that span this unique spectrum of expertise presented by some of the most acclaimed practitioners in the industry. Highlights include nuances to the use of GLP-1’s at low doses to address pain, brain and heart health; the latest updates in low-dose naltrexone use in immunology; peptide therapy in women’s health; ethical considerations and best practices for global care; a critical assessment of commonly used pharmaceuticals over the last 40 years, and regenerative therapies (stem cells and exosomes). The comprehensive conference will also feature topics on naturopathic treatments for neuroinflammation, neuroplasticity, healing from surgery, gallstones and kidney stones, cervical dysplasia, generalized anxiety disorder, perimenopause/menopause, IBD, solutions to sexual interest/arousal concerns, microbiome restoration and perspectives on grave or life-ending illness to name a few.3 As illustrated above, ND/NMD’s expertise in both conventional and natural medicine positions them perfectly to provide holistic, sustainable health care and address the demand for medical professionals who can navigate the range of treatment approaches from pharmaceuticals to natural remedies to the latest biohacking trends. There hasn’t been a more critical time for incorporating ND/ NMD’s into our health care system. Accessibility to ND/NMD providers is a key issue for the profession and has been a main goal of AANP advocacy at both the state and federal levels. AANP is unwavering and leads the effort to integrate ND/NMD’s into veterans’ health care, Medicaid and Medicare. Recently, the AANP submitted a letter to the federal government summarizing over 2,000 peer reviewed research articles which demonstrated the benefits of naturopathic medicine including the reduction of overall health care expenditures by individuals, corporations and the government while increasing patient satisfaction. Currently, they await a response.4 In addition to providing these benefits to the health care system and consumers, such a move would also help to address the shortage of medical physicians that is expected to reach 86,000 by 2026.5 I interviewed the executive director of the AANP, Laura Farr, who notes that trends and movement towards nutrition and more natural approaches in both consumer choices and conventional medicine are the cornerstone of what naturopathic medicine has been doing for 150 years. The AANP is thrilled to celebrate naturopathic medicine at a time that Farr refers to as an “inflection point” for what is hoped to be a “shift in philosophy and approach for our national health care system.” This is not only an exciting time for the Coachella Valley as it hosts the 2025 AANP conference, but also for the naturopathic profession. If you are a community member, health care provider or media and would like to attend the AANP conference, email your inquiry to admin@naturopathic.org. Note that the continuing education credits (CEs) have been approved for California acupuncturists as well. If you would like to support the AANP advocacy, you can visit their website at naturopathic.org. Importantly, contact your congress representative and voice your support for the inclusion of ND/NMD’s into the health care system. Every voice counts! Dr. Jainuddin is a naturopathic primary care doctor at One Life Naturopathic and also offers biofeedback training and craniosacral therapy. For more information call (442) 256.5963 or visit www.onelifenaturopathic.org. References: 1) https://societyofnaturopaths.org/about-naturopathy/history-of-naturopathy/; 2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/ PMC7219465/; 3) https://naturopathic.org/page/ConventionSchedule2025; 4) https://worldnaturopathicfederation.org/project/healthtechnology-assessment-naturopathy/; 5) https://www.aamc.org/news/press-releases/new-aamc-report-shows-continuing-projectedphysician-shortage www.DesertHealthNews.com July/August 2025 Natural Options The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 11 MYOFASCIAL RELEASE The Missing Link To Authentic Healing For the Treatment of: • Headaches/Migraines • TMJ • Neck and Back Pain • Fibromyalgia • Carpal Tunnel • Plantar Fasciitis • Neurological Conditions Benefits Include: • Decreased Pain • Decreased Inflammation • Increased Range of Motion • Increased Mobility • Increased Circulation • Improved Posture • Improved Mood & Cognition 760.895.5145 online scheduling at: https://gina-malloy.clientsecure.me Gina M. Malloy, PT, MS Licensed Physical Therapist Offering Specialized Treatment for Women’s Health Issues Including, but not limited to: Endometriosis • Bladder Incontinence Mastectomy Pain and Scars www.takotaalchemy.com Discover Reiki Sessions • Readings • Retreats Intuitive Life Coaching Call or Text (619) 726-0408 TakotaAlchemy.com Practice located at Live Well Clinic 78900 Ave. 47, #102 • La Quinta Your Inner Power CINDY DOUGLAS Certified Reiki Master/ Life Coach Holistic Treatment Personalized Care Complex Case Review Preventative Medicine Naturopathic Primary Care Biofeedback Training Craniosacral Therapy Dr. Shari Jainuddin, NMD, BCB Licensed Naturopathic Doctor | Board Certified in Biofeedback 442.256.5963 onelifenaturopathic.org Scan me! Naturopathic Doctors in the Spotlight AANP convention comes to Indian Wells By Shari Jainuddin, NMD, BCB of smell, disrupted sleep (especially REM behavior disorder), and cognitive changes such as memory and comprehension loss are common. These symptoms often precede motor symptoms and are just as essential to treat. Patients should be routinely screened and monitored for these experiences, and tools like PROPD.org can help track symptoms over time in a meaningful way. Restoring balance from the inside out. No single supplement or medication can replace the power of a well-supported terrain. A mineral repletion program focused on lithium, magnesium,26 and zinc27 can offer subtle but powerful shifts in mood, energy and sleep.28,29 Smoothies, broths, stews and juices can deliver these nutrients in easily digestible forms. Spices, herbs, seeds and berries add not only nutritional density but also color and flavor. Mindful eating—taking time to smell, chew and truly enjoy meals— helps stimulate digestion and retrain senses, including the sense of smell, which is often diminished in PD. Parkinson’s is complex, and no two patients are alike. But with thorough testing, targeted nutrient support, and nourishing daily practices, this approach can help patients with PD live a fuller life. Working in tandem with a patient’s medical team, naturopathic care offers a compassionate, individualized approach to managing the disease, and more importantly, supporting the person navigating it. Dr. Salcido is a primary care naturopathic doctor at Live Well Clinic. Her focus is functional psychiatry utilizing naturopathic principles to work on root causes of mental health imbalance. She can be reached at (760) 771.5970 or www.livewellclinic.org. References: 1) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11217404; 2) https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/3/453; 3) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/782965; 4) https://clinicalmovementdisorders.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40734020-00085-8; 5) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6563911; 6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24847960; 7) https://pmc.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9221008; 8) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31454800; 9) https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/11/1852; 10) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37181629; 11) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0946672X17309732; 12) https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1439325; 13) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25618568; 14) https://pmc. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2838628; 15) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16437566; 16) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S2667268524000214; 17) https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mds.29009; 18) https://www. sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128000939000119; 19) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26230671; 20) https://www. mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/11/1364; 21) https://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/vol13nospl-issue-phytonutrients-2025/phytonutrients-inneuroprotection-and-neurodegenerative-disorders; 22) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780443237638000622; 23) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8770674; 24) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4828559; 25) https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mds.23566; 26) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11312984; 27) https://www.mdpi. com/2072-6643/15/9/2140; 28) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590142724000193; 29) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ articles/PMC10227915 Integrative Approach to Parkinson’s Continued from page 9
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