Jill Turner, ND

08/03/2025

I’m so glad we are not having big wild fires close to us right now, but sharing this again so you have the information handy if we need it later this summer.

From a colleague. She is an environmental doctor, ND and researcher.

Here are some of her suggestions.

(Please always check with your doc first, since she is not your doc, just ‘a’ doc.)

“This week I literally finished my 100+ slides for a presentation I am giving at the end of October on smoke & the health effects seen in firefighters.

Here’s my summary:
Smoke is not just particles - it is all the substances that are burning. It is gases & plastics & pesticides & toxic metals & flame retardants. These get attached to the particles & we breathe them in. And we absorb them through our skin (even firefighters on oxygen have elevated levels of benzenes). And we ingest them.

The particles they are measuring as part of air pollution is PM 2.5 - which is just the size (2.5 micrometers). The smaller particles - PM 0.1 are much more toxic. They aren’t being measured & often the PM 2.5 is made up of 0.1 glommed together.

In any case these small particles are dangerous because they don’t stay in your lungs - they go straight into your blood stream & straight into organs like your brain & your heart.

So what you can do:
•Try to reduce your exposure to smoke!
•Don’t go outside.
•Don’t exercise.
•Close your windows & doors.
•Wear as much of a mask as you have - N100 or N95 or your homemade ones - maybe doubled or tripled (??).
•If you have air filters & you forgot to turn them on - do so.
•If you have a way to circulate air in your house through a filter - like an HVAC system - do that.
•If you can - double up on your filter in the unit or change it frequently.
•And if you do have a way to circulate & filter - then seal your house up - use tape on windows or doors that are leaky.
•Close your chimney flue.
•Reduce the dust inside - wipe down surfaces, vacuum.

The particles that have come in are carrying all the toxic things - try not to have them move around every time you move around & rebreathe them.

Supplements:
1) B complex vitamins.
- they did a study where they stuck people into a pollution chamber (literally) for 2 hours after they had been on placebo or B vitamin for a month - and the B vitamins protected & reversed the DNA damage from the pollution!!

2) Fish oil
- heart attacks go up after smoke exposures. Your entire body is getting inflamed from this - especially your brain. Take your fish oil

3) N-Acetyl Cysteine
- 500 mg 3-4X per day. Major support for detox pathways in your body

4) Glutathione:
- you probably don’t have this - but if you do & you forgot to take it - do it now. And then take some Vitamin C to help you recycle your glutathione.

5) Green Tea!
- start drinking it. Super anti-oxidant - helps so many chemicals get cleared

6) Brassica Veggies:
- broccoli cabbage cauliflower. . . . . . all super important helpers for you to clear the toxicants you are being exposed to.

Any other anti-inflammatory supplements you happen to have around - turmeric, vitamin C, vitamin D, elderberry. . . . . . your body is working really really hard to clear the smoke - give it a little help.

Stay safe friends! These are indeed very interesting times we are living through.”

- Louise Tolzmann, ND, Portland, OR 9/2020

05/02/2025

Taking time for rejuvenation is very important! Thanks for the sunshine, New Orleans. I enjoyed exploring the city on foot and paddling through the swamp on a kayak. How do you like to rejuvenate?
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03/11/2025

Wondering if you or a family member need a measles booster or about your immune status? This is a good explanation about the MMR vaccine and how it offers protection against measles and the timing of vaccines during an outbreak. Please reach out to schedule an appointment if you still have questions!

02/21/2025

National Condom Week is February 14-21.

DYK? Oregon residents can receive a free envelope of condoms and l**e delivered discreetly to their door, up to twice per month: onecondoms.com/oregon

Correctly using a condom every time you have s*x can reduce the risk of s*xually transmitted infections (STIs).

(Adapted from OHA's Oregon Reproductive Health Program)

02/19/2025

Your help is greatly appreciated!

02/17/2025

Magnesium for the win!

Research shows a high-magnesium diet could slow brain aging and lower dementia risk.

A study from the Australian National University shows that increased magnesium intake may help protect against age-related brain decline, particularly benefiting women.

Researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 participants aged 40–73, tracking their dietary magnesium consumption and its effects on brain volume and white matter lesions. Those consuming more than 550 mg of magnesium daily had brains appearing nearly a year younger by age 55 compared to those with lower intake.

The study also found that postmenopausal women experienced the greatest neuroprotective benefits, possibly due to magnesium’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Magnesium, found in foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains, has long been known for its health benefits, but this research highlights its potential role in dementia prevention. With no cure for dementia, experts stress the importance of dietary strategies for brain health.

Study co-author Dr. Erin Walsh emphasizes the need for further research to confirm these findings and inform public health recommendations. Given the rising global prevalence of dementia, this study underscores the importance of modifiable lifestyle factors in reducing cognitive decline and promoting long-term brain health.

Learn more: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/can-a-magnesium-rich-diet-reduce-dementia-risk

02/12/2025

Please support this bill!

Hello practitioners and advocates of Naturopathic Medicine!

OANP has introduced HB3439, requiring insurance companies to pay NDs equitably, and that bill has its first hearing, in the House committee, this Thursday, February 13th at 3pm. It's time to let the committee know that this bill is hugely supported and desired by Oregonians!

Please complete 3 quick and easy steps to show your support! https://www.oanp.org/news/693468/ACTION-ALERT---Its-TIME-to-support-ND-PAY-PARITY.htm

(And don't miss STEP 3 - PLEASE SHARE THIS ALERT!)

11/16/2024

Whooping cough (pertussis) is on the rise in the PNW and Oregon has had more than 800 cases this year as opposed to 35 in 2023. This is a disease that can be prevented or reduced in severity by the DTaP or TDaP vaccine. Are you and your family up to date on vaccines?

“In its early stages, which may last one to two weeks, pertussis causes cold-like symptoms including a runny or stuffed-up nose, low-grade fever and occasional coughing…After about two weeks, it usually becomes really aggressive, and at that point, it’s no longer treatable with antibiotics…. Later stages of pertussis can include severe coughing fits, a “whoop” sound caused by the person gasping for air between coughs, and vomiting and exhaustion after coughing fits. This stage typically lasts one to six weeks, but may extend as long as 10 weeks.” Whooping cough is highly contagious and, “Pertussis usually takes five to 10 days for symptoms to appear following exposure.”
-quoted from the OPB article in the comments.

10/07/2024

Here’s this year’s gluten-free candy list!

Gluten Free Halloween Candy List

Some no-no’s are obvious, like Twix or Kit Kat, but wouldn’t it be nice just to have a list? Here you go!

Link to Candy List here - updated 2024.
https://meaningfuleats.com/gluten-free-candy/

07/06/2024

Enrollment for this plan is up to 200% of the federal poverty line. Check to see if you are eligible.

Health Share of Oregon serves Oregon Health Plan members to bring together health plans, providers, and community health resources so our members can access the care they need to be well.

05/27/2024

A short clip about naturopathic specialties.