Why Naturopathic Medicine?

I have been obsessed (which might be an understatement) with the trillions of microbes living in or on our bodies – our unique microbiomes -  since I was in high school, particularly in the microbiome’s massive potential to transform human health and medicine in a holistic, integrative approach. This passion started when a simple dietary change, daily probiotics, and fish oil alleviated my painful eczema and nagging stomach issues, all symptoms of a lurking autoimmune issue that no doctor was able to remedy or even diagnose. I became a subject in my own experiments- trying different diets, vitamins, and protocols; focusing on my long-neglected hormonal issues; and reading up on paleolithic theories of health. My interest in the microbiome gradually extended into a wide variety of modalities within the field of natural health and medicine. My most recent niche of interest is longevity and cold exposure, spurred by a recent research study I read. I even got my dad heavily involved in sirtuin activation through fasting and a higher ratio of NAD+/NADH, based on learnings in a geriatric class that I am taking currently in school.

This original interest in the microbiome has morphed into the set of values I live by today. I believe in the body’s innate desire to heal, as well as the power of gentle and natural remedies from the Earth to assist this process. I believe organic food is medicine and that protecting the ecosystems of the Earth is critical to protecting human health and the diverse collection of bacteria that live in us. This intersection in environmentalism and evolutionary perspective of health inspired me to go on a semester-long NOLS trip to Patagonia, where we spent 3 months in the field, mountaineering and sea kayaking. This experience radically altered my beliefs (primarily my desire to form altruistic communities and help others) and my health (such as circadian rhythm correction and dopamine regulation), while also amplifying my desire to become a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

My time studying human biology at the University of Southern California has further strengthened my desire to become an ND. I have taken classes ranging from general biology and anatomy courses to specific classes, like the pharmacology of performance-enhancing drugs, ethics of geriatric care, and physiology of aging, all of which have rendered the conclusion that there is an increasing need for natural solutions to chronic, noncommunicable diseases (i.e autoimmune diseases, obesity, diabetes, etc.). I want to help people harness these natural solutions to live better lives without the negative side effects of Western medications, while also practicing beneficence and nonmaleficence and honoring patients as unique individuals with complex and interconnected physiological pathways. My dream is to one day have my own clinic where I design personalized topical, oral, and vaginal probiotics for a variety of symptoms and diseases. I want to combine naturopathic modalities with comprehensive research to offer highly personalized, precision medicine in a patient-focused, compassionate-centered, integrative, and functional clinical setting.

The field of naturopathic medicine prioritizes many healing principles that the traditional medical system has lost sight of, which is why I believe it is on the cusp of transforming healthcare. Despite its amazing and essential life-saving technologies, the current medical system often fails to address the root cause of diseases, making naturopathy and its focus on treating the cause such a powerful complementary approach. Preventative medicine has taken a backseat in the current medical system, when it needs to be a priority in a society riddled with increasingly complex presentations of immune-mediated, inflammatory diseases. As the field continues to gain credibility through its successful implementation of efficacious, but gentle solutions and methods that are backed by research, naturopathic medicine holds the potential to become the cornerstone for primary care and personalized/precision medicine. Naturopathic doctors can revolutionize the healthcare system, by taking more time with patients, promoting lifestyle changes and self-healing, and teaching others to live a life more aligned with our evolutionary adaptations.