Minnesota Registers Naturopathic Doctors at Last!
11/3/09

Recent legislation in Minnesota allows Dr. Oppitz, Dr. Aberle, and about 25 of their colleagues to register with the state their intent to practice as naturopathic doctors.  It is a long-awaited first step toward full licensure.  Friend and colleague Dr. Helen Healy in St. Paul has been working for this for over twenty years!
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Cold & Flu Season Immune Support
(printer-friendly pdf document here)
10/4/09

With all the media coverage of the swine flu epidemic, many patients have asked what supplements they can take to support their immune system during cold & flu season.  This protocol may be used by anyone whether they have chosen to take the vaccination(s) or not as a way to help your body defend itself.  Click above for a printer-friendly pdf of this document to use as a shopping list or take a look at our October eDeal which is 30% off a six month supply of everything listed plus free shipping.  Don't forget to read the articles, information, and links we've provided on our homepage under the H1N1 Swine Flu heading.
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See Past Featured Articles
Itasca Naturopathic Clinic serves northwestern Minnesota and is the only clinic in the region with practitioners who are registered as Naturopathic Doctors by the state of Minnesota under the naturopathic registration bill which took affect the early part of this year.  Details on the significance of this landmark bill can be found here.

Naturopathic Medicine emphasizes and utilizes the body's inherent ability to protect and repair itself.  At Itasca Naturopathic Clinic, we help you support these mechanisms using the latest in diagnostic testing supported by time-tested non-invasive treatment methods.  Nutrition and lifestyle changes are emphasized to treat the whole person not just the symptoms of an underlying illness or disease.

Naturopathy is not "alternative" medicine, but truly integrative medicine providing a comprehensive approach to the best of traditional and conventional medicine. NDs welcome and encourage people to become educated and involved in their healthcare decisions because knowledgeable patients are more successful in attaining their health goals.

These Articles explain naturopathy in much greater detail:
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathic Medicine:  What it Is-What it Can Do for You
How Do Homeopathy and Naturopathy Compare?

To Learn More about naturopathic medicine and find out if it is right for you, schedule a fifteen minute complementary visit at either of our offices.
Welcome New Visitors!
Dr. Rachel Oppitz, ND

This page was last updated: August 27, 2010
Featured Articles
Upcoming Classes


See the Park Rapids Community Education website for upcoming classes.

What's New?
03/23Dr. Oppitz received her certificate of registration from the state of Minnesota!  More to come on what this means to our patients.
03/05INC Park Rapids has moved to what was the Edward Jones building near the intersection of Hwy 71 and Hwy 34!
10/16A local chapter of The Weston A. Price Foundation has been organized in Park Rapids.  Information here.
10/03New brief article with specific supplement recommendations for cold & flu season immune support.
09/08Fall newsletter How Well Are You Sleeping? now available in the library and in-home this week.
08/08Online exclusive article "Juicing For Optimal Health" just added.  A printer-friendly pdf doc can be found here.
07/31What is Omega-3 fatty acid and what can it do for me?  Find out in our latest online exclusive article.
06/19Looking for ways to keep your healthcare expenses down?  Check out the "Budget Conscious?" section of our Services page.  In
particular, The Itasca Plan is an excellent way to save money and meet your health goals.
06/03Patients, Emerson Ecologics is offering $5 flat-rate shipping for all supplement orders.  They also have an auto-delivery option so
you can set up a reoccurring shipment of your supplements on a 15, 30, 60 or 90-day cycle.  We have a link to their website from
our Market Place.  Drop us an email to get your passcode.
05/21Insurance billing for certain labwork through three of our lab companies, Genova Diagnostics, Spectracell Laboratories, and Alcat
Worldwide is now available with some insurance companies. 
Park Rapids
218.237.2312

Bemidji
218.444.5868
Media Links
09/10Dr. Mercola's 33 Secrets to a Good Night's Sleep will give everyone at least a few new techniques to try.
08/07BottomLineSecrets.com reported in their Daily Health News of an upcoming PBS series called Discoveries in Alternative Medicine
which "aims to show modern-day viewers the kind of practical and functional care that naturopathic physicians provide".  See a
sneak peak here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZMZlWjspFg.
07/23Ever questioned whether fluoride is beneficial or even safe to use?  This article may make you think twice.
06/17Team Itasca takes third in the Business Division of the 3rd Annual Red Bridge Run! canoe race.  OK, so there were only three
entries.  The important thing is that we didn't get lapped by the pros:)
06/09Drtenpenny.com includes an immense amount of information about vaccines, swine flu, and avian flu.
05/28Here's a great website with recipes arranged by the foods to avoid for common medical conditions.  We're just starting to explore
it, but it looks very promising!
04/09"Cod Liver Oil:  The Number One Superfood" is a great introduction to the benefits of CLO supplementation.
03/30UK study finds 1 in 60 kids show symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (autism, ADD, ADHD, Asperger's)

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H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Debate
We do not advocate any one opinion offered here, nor can we attest to the accuracy of any information provided.  We list these sources for and against H1N1 vaccination to help you make an informed decision for yourself and for your family just as we would suggest you do for any medical advice.

In support of H1N1 vaccination:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations page and H1N1 overview page.
A statement on the safety of the vaccination from World Health Organization (WHO) and overview page.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) overview page covering news, FAQs, and consumer information.
Flu.gov on the safety of thimerosal (a mercury-based preservative) used in most H1N1 vaccine preparations and overview.

Against H1N1 vaccination:
Dr. Tenpenny's Swine Flu Hype Center with information on swine, avian, and seasonal flu vaccination.
Dr. Mercola's response to a report citing fewer than half of poled healthcare workers plan to use the vaccine themselves.
The original Reuters article can be found here.
Dr. Lipsitch compares severity of H1N1 to a moderate year of seasonal flu, and says it is particularly mild in children.

Helping your body fend off and fight any flu illness:
The basics from WebMD:  Wash your hands  Cover your mouth  Keep hands away from face  Healthy lifestyle/eating habits
Dr. Catherine Clinton, ND:  Preparing Yourself for the Flu Season Naturally
Our own Eight Guidelines for Flu Prevention
Dr. Mercola makes the case for Vitamin D supplementation in this video.
Our supplement recommendations for children and adults during cold & flu season can be found in this short article.