Toxic metals, sometimes called heavy metals, include mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other metals that are naturally occurring in the earth’s crust. They’ve been used by humans for thousands of years and are the oldest toxins known. Metal toxicity—especially from heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead–affects all organ systems and can result in wide-ranging and nonspecific symptoms; however, the central nervous system (CNS) is especially susceptible to damage from metals. But they don’t just affect your central nervous system. Toxic metals are systemic toxins that in high enough amounts damage your kidneys, blood, brain, bones, and other organs.

Relationships are determined by our preconceived notions, our prejudices, and the words we use to communicate. Often the difference between excellent and horrible care, and even whether it’s safe, comes down to how doctors and patients view and talk to each other. As is often the case, challenges in communication are greatest when the two people come from different backgrounds or when their life experiences are so different that it’s challenging for the healthcare provider to empathize. This is the case in the LGBTQ community, which is not well represented in medicine or medical education. Carey Candrian, PhD discusses how this plays out in the clinic, especially when it comes to the LGBTQ community and end of life care, and what you can do to make sure you’re getting the best possible care no matter the community with which you identify.

This past year people’s stress has been off the charts, with devastating consequences: insomnia, decreased immunity, infertility, irritability, emotional eating, weight gain, and depression. Dr. Doni Wilson is a naturopathic doctor, certified professional midwife, and certified nutrition specialist believes it is possible to be healthy, even when we’re stressed. In the process of solving her own problem of suffering from migraines for 25 years, Dr. Doni developed her Stress Recovery Protocol™ which identifies how stress uniquely affects each individual and then uses epigenetics to reoptimize health. Her unique approach helps patients reverse challenging health conditions including fatigue, anxiety, autoimmunity, fertility and recurrent miscarriages, insomnia, as well as HPV infections, and abnormal pap smears.