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Dr. Jaclyn Smith, ND

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Dr. Jaclyn Smith, ND

Naturopathic Medicine plays an important role in integrative health care, and treatments can be used on their own or together with conventional medicine.

For those with autoimmunity seeking healthcare in Ottawa and the surrounding area, Dr. Jaclyn Smith, ND offers custom protocols applying evidence-based natural medicine that can be delivered in conjunction with, or independent of Western medicine. Naturopathic Medicine is a system of primary health care that promotes wellness and prevention through the integration of standard medical diagnostics and a broad range of natural therapies. As a Naturopathic Doctor with over a decade of experience treating autoimmune diseases, Dr. Jaclyn Smith is focused on evidence-based natural treatments and prevention. Having autoimmune conditions of her own, Dr. Smith has a unique perspective on the autoimmune experience. She understands the fear, helplessness and hopelessness that are delivered alongside a diagnosis. She also understands that those feelings stem from a lack of control. This is why Dr. Smith dedicates herself to educating patients on the underlying causes of various autoimmune conditions and offering tangible solutions that support the body’s innate ability to heal. When armed with knowledge, you can communicate with your immune system, minimizing the need to suppress it.

10/29/2025

World Psoriasis Day

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing them to grow too quickly and form thick, scaly patches known as plaques. Psoriasis is not contagious, it often runs in families, and can develop at any age.

Flares can be triggered by stress, infections, hormonal changes, specific medications, or even skin injuries. These flare-ups not only effect physical health, but can also contribute to emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation due to public misunderstanding and stigma surrounding the disease.

Psoriatic skin lesions do not fully encompass the breadth of this condition. Approximately 30% of individuals with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, a painful and potentially disabling inflammatory joint disease. Research has also linked psoriasis to other systemic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and even certain cancers. In my experience, all these conditions have similars triggers, so if we treat the underlying cause, overarching wellness is possible.

On World Psoriasis Day, we recognize the reality of living with psoriasis, raise awareness of its systemic impact, and work toward greater understanding, support, and improved care for those affected.

10/23/2025

Supplements & Autoimmunity: What You Should Know

Research suggests that certain supplements, like Vitamin D, may help reduce flares in autoimmunity. Did you know, however, that supplementation of vitamin D greater than 2,500IU per day is considered a drug that requires a prescription. When supplementing, knowledge translates to safety--not all people are created equal, and a supplement regime should reflect one's needs in the context of their medical history, medications, and sensitivities. Not seeking guidance before combining products or taking high doses of supplements may actually be harmful.

The key takeaway: Supplements are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your health plan should be as unique as you are. Before adding supplements to your routine, always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Read more in this recent review on supplements and autoimmune disease: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11663920/

Want personalized guidance? Book your free 15-minute Meet & Greet today: drjaclynsmithnd.com/your-first-visit/

10/18/2025

Change of Season Soup

Fall and winter make up the “yin” portion of the year, which is the ideal time for nourishing the body. Unfortunately, during the fall the lungs are particularly vulnerable to illnesses such as colds and flus, so a concerted effort should be made to support that organ system.

Change of Season Soup is an immune tonic. It is a Chinese herbal blend that bolsters the immune system during the changing of seasons from fall to winter, and winter to spring. This herbal formula helps to balance the body during times of stress, and improves the body’s resistance to viral infections.

Ingredients (55g-85g of each):

1. Codonopsis root (Dang Shen): Tonifies and strengthens “qi”, helps to build and nourish body fluids
2. Astragalus root (Huang Qi): Strengthens the protective defences and “qi”, nourishes the spleen, and tonifies the blood and the lungs
3. Dioscorea root (Chinese Yam – Shan Yao): Tonifies and balances the lungs and kidneys
4. Chinese lychii/wolf berries (Gou Qi Zi): Strengthens the liver and kidneys

NOTE: Many Chinese herbal shops sell the combination of herbs pre-packaged

Instructions:

1. Fill a large pot with 1L of water
2. Add the herbs and cover with a lid
3. Bring the liquid to a boil and allow it to simmer for 2 to 4 hours, topping up with water as necessary

Dose:

Drink 1 cup of the decoction 1-2 times per day for 1 week (1/2 cup for children between 2-10 years old)

The soup has a slightly bitter taste, so consider adding 1 tsp of unpasteurized honey, or use it as the base for chicken soup. To make the soup, just add sea salt, pepper, a couple bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, rotisserie chicken and vegetables -- consider those that tonify the lungs and enhance the immune system ex. shiitake mushrooms, garlic, onions, carrots, and/or potatoes.

Warning: If you have a cold or flu do NOT drink the soup -- wait until after you have recovered

10/08/2025

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Is Complex—Your Care Should Be Too!

Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world, and women are diagnosed 2–3 times more often than men, most often between the ages of 15 and 40.

Conventional medicine plays a vital role in managing MS by controlling the immune system, delaying disease progression, and easing symptoms. Naturopathic Medicine works alongside these treatments, supporting the body holistically by eliminating toxins, minimizing stress, and balancing nutrition, hormones, gut health, and immune function.

My Naturopathic approach empowers patients with personalized protocols that help reduce flares, manage symptoms, and build long-term wellness.

Treatments may include:
· Acupuncture for energy and pain relief
· Nutrition and lifestyle counselling to reduce inflammation and balance the immune system
· Hormone balance with botanical medicine or bioidentical hormones
· Hydrotherapy or low-level laser therapy to modulate the immune system, increase circulation and expedite cellular repair
· Nutraceuticals to address deficiencies influencing outcomes and symptoms
· Detoxification to strengthen overall health

Because MS is a progressive condition, ongoing care is important. With continued Naturopathic support, it is possible to further slow progression, ease symptoms, and extend periods of remission so that you can live life with more vitality.

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09/30/2025

Struggling with a fall flare? You’re not imagining it.

As the seasons shift, many people with autoimmune conditions experience a noticeable increase in symptoms. Cooler temperatures, reduced daylight, increased viral exposure, and routine changes all contribute to what’s known as a fall flare - and for many, it can be one of the most challenging times of the year.

Here’s how fall can affect common autoimmune conditions:
· Lupus: Cold weather can worsen joint pain, Raynaud’s phenomenon, headaches, and fatigue due to decreased circulation.
· Psoriasis: Dry air and less UV exposure often cause worsening of skin plaques.
· Psoriatic and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Barometric pressure changes and damp air often lead to increased stiffness and inflammation.
· Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Fatigue, mood changes, and cold intolerance can intensify as temperatures drop and vitamin D levels decline.
· Multiple Sclerosis: Fall viruses and reduced sunlight can trigger symptom flare-ups or relapses.
· Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis): In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the season associated with the large intestine is autumn, making the colon the most vulnerable this time of year.

If you’ve noticed your symptoms intensifying, now is the time to take action. A targeted plan that supports immune regulation, reduces inflammation, and restores balance can help you feel more stable and resilient through the fall season.

09/17/2025

What if your sleepless nights were quietly working against your immune system?

New research shows that sleep deficiency and insomnia may do more than just wear you down - they could actively disrupt your immune function. Growing evidence links chronic sleep disturbances to increased inflammation, reduced vaccine efficiency, and higher risk of autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s, and inflammatory bowel disease.
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Sleep-deprived individuals often show abnormal levels of inflammatory markers, pointing to low-grade, chronic inflammation that may quietly fuel disease over time.
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Although terms like “sleep disturbance” are often loosely defined in studies, one thing is clear: consistent, restorative sleep plays a vital role in immune regulation.

Here are some goals for healthy sleep:
- Target 6-9 hours of sleep per night
- Sleep before midnight counts as double
- Create healthy sleep hygiene to prevent waking at night -- the longer you stay asleep, the longer the restorative REM phase becomes with each sleep cycle
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If you're struggling with sleep and chronic illness, consider exploring naturopathic care to help bring these systems back into balance.⠀

Book your consultation today: https://drjaclynsmithnd.com/your-first-visit/

To learn more, read the following article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9496201/

09/12/2025

Your hormones and your immune system are more connected than you think.

Hormonal imbalances, especially involving estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol, can play a major role in the development and progression of autoimmune conditions. These hormones influence how the immune system responds, and when they’re out of balance, the immune system of susceptible individuals can become confused and start attacking the body’s own tissues.

This helps explain why nearly 80% of autoimmune diseases occur in women, and why symptoms often flare during key hormonal transitions like:

· Puberty
· Pregnancy or postpartum
· Starting or stopping birth control
· Perimenopause and menopause
· Periods of acute or chronic stress (which elevate cortisol)

Though the emphasis is often on women, news flash, men have hormones too! As such, they are not exempt from hormone-mediated autoimmune activity. It is recommended that any individual with a suspected or diagnosed autoimmune condition have their hormones assessed.

Here’s the good news:
Naturopathic treatment can support both hormone balance and immune regulation, allowing more opportunity for the body to calm inflammation, reduce flares, and restore function.

If you suspect your hormones may be impacting your autoimmune condition, it’s time to dig deeper!

09/10/2025

Rethinking Hashimoto’s Care: A Naturopathic Perspective

For indivduals with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, levothyroxine (synthetic T4 thyroid hormone) is a first line medical therapy. However, normal lab results may not always translate to symptom relief. Many still experience fatigue, pain, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin and hair.

A recent review highlights Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a promising adjunct therapy - especially in the earlier stages of Hash*tmoto's. The indicated TCM herbs are rich in antioxidants and selenium, which help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and assist in the conversion of T4 into its active form (T3) in cell membranes.

When it comes to optimizing outcomes, this research underscores the value of exploring integrative options rooted both in tradition and modern medicine.

Read the full article “Traditional Chinese Medicine for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Focus on Selenium and Antioxidant Phytochemicals” here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11274136/

08/28/2025

Naturopathic medicine goes beyond treating symptoms. Relying on evidence-based modalities including (but not limited to) personalized nutrition, herbal therapies, and mind-body approaches, it addresses the root cause of illness to promote lasting wellness.

Whether you’re unsure if you have an autoimmune condition, have been recently diagnosed, or are managing a chronic autoimmune disease, naturopathic medicine offers tailored support to address your unique health needs.

Begin your customized treatment with me today, and experience a supportive and collaborative approach that empowers you to achieve optimal health naturally and sustainably.

Book your consultation today: https://drjaclynsmithnd.com/your-first-visit/

08/19/2025

Will You Ask Me To Stop My Medication If I Pursue Naturoapthic Medicine?

No. I will never advise you to discontinue your medication. Prescribing and adjusting most medications is outside the scope of practice for Naturopathic Doctors (NDs).

Only if an ND has their prescribing rights, an additional designation, can they prescribe a few drugs. In Ontario, that designation allows for prescribing of the following: bioidentical estrogen and progesterone (as transdermal applications or vaginal suppositories), desiccated thyroid, vitamin A greater than 10,000IU per day, vitamin D greater than 2,500IU per day, vitamins K1 and K2 greather than 120mcg per day, folic acid greater than 1mg per day, some intravenous medications, and a few others.

My objective is always to optimize your wellness. By working on the foundations of health, often the reliance on medication decreases, at which point I would refer you back to your MD to discuss possibile amendments to your prescription.

08/13/2025

Can fibre really help suppress autoimmune disease?

Emerging research from Yale, supported by organizations like the Lupus Foundation of America, suggests it might. In an animal study, a high-fibre diet reduced levels of harmful gut bacteria, and prevented them from escaping the gut barrier into the bloodstream through a process called intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”), a condition often associated with autoimmune activity. These findings add to growing evidence that lifestyle factors, especially nutrition, play a critical role in immune health.

Not all autoimmune conditions, however, benefit from a high fibre diet. In some conditions, or during some stages of recovery, fibre may exacerbate disease activity. Let me teach you how and when food can be your medicine: https://drjaclynsmithnd.com/contact/

To read the full article: https://www.lupus.org/news/highfiber-diet-suppresses-autoimmune-disease-development

08/08/2025

Ignoring these Symptoms can Put Your Health at Risk!

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can come on suddenly, or have an insidious onset. Here are 5 symptoms you should NEVER ignore:

1) Re**al bleeding
2) Unexplained weight loss
3) Unrelenting fatigue
4) Ongoing abdominal pain, bloating and/or cramping
5) Persistent diarrhea (especially if it presents with blood and/or mucus)

If you experience any of these symptoms don’t wait! Speak to your doctor about getting blood work and a colonoscopy, and reach out to a Naturopathic Doctor to help restore balance to your gut health.

Want to explore naturopathic medicine for IBD? Book your consultation today:
https://drjaclynsmithnd.com/your-first-visit/

Address

904 Lady Ellen Place
Ottawa, ON
K1Z5L5

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Website

https://drjaclynsmithnd.com/

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