Naturopathic doctor finds the root of the problem

Amy Bader has been practicing naturopathic medicine, a medicine that focuses on diet and lifestyle to treat diseases, for eight years. (Courtesy photograph)

Naturopathic doctor finds the root of the problem

By Pam Bauserman
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Monday, September 22, 2008 6:38 AM PDT

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Amy Bader feels diseases are better treated by getting to the root of the problem. This can be done, she said, by changing a person's lifestyle.

"About 80 percent of diseases are related to lifestyle," she said. "If people start early on, they don't have to go down the road to get that diagnosis."

Bader, 39, is a naturopathic doctor, a doctor who uses diet and lifestyle to get to the cause of a medical problem.

She became interested in naturopathic medicine after volunteering at St. Joseph's Medical Center. She kept seeing the same patients come back with lifestyle diseases. After hearing a lecture by a naturopathic doctor about how emotions effect the immune system, she decided it was what she wanted to do.

Bader has practiced naturopathic medicine for the last eight years, one of them in Lodi.

What are some common conditions you see?

We treat anything and everything, because you're treating the whole body. But the most common are hypertension, diabetes, digestion issues, neurological problems and children with autism.

Do you see a trend toward more naturopathic medicine?

Absolutely. I was talking to one of my old professors who has been in it since the 1970s. He said that back in those days people would come in for colds, but now it's flip-flopped and they are coming in for more serious problems. There is more awareness that our bodies don't want to be sick.

Amy Bader at a glance

Age: 39.
Education: Bachelor of Science in business from University of California, Berkeley; doctor of naturopathic medicine degree from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Ore.
Occupation: Naturophathic doctor since 2000.
Family: Married with one daughter.
Hobbies: Art, reading, movies and yoga.

Source: Amy Bader

What are some techniques you use when diagnosing?

When I diagnose, it is a lot like the conventional doctors as far as lab work. I also look at the nutritional perspective such as metabolism, food allergies and nutrition deficiencies. I can sit down with someone and can tell even before they open their mouth by their nails, hair or the way they carry themselves.

What has been your greatest success story?

Almost all patients get better, but I don't take the credit. The body does the work. There was one patient who was diagnosed with cancer. It was a tumor-type cancer. He did a good job changing his lifestyle. His tumor was gone in four months. I can't say it helps with all, but it sure was fun looking at all his MRIs. He walked in and said, "We beat it, doc."

How did you get started doing this?

I actually had an interest in science and biology. I was a business major at University of California, Berkeley, and then I got a job in San Francisco doing accounting. What I'd do for fun is study nutrition and study herbs and vitamins. People could come up to me and say they didn't feel good, and I would tell them what they could do. One day my boss said to me, "You could be an excellent doctor." I quit my job and did my pre-med.

What do you enjoy about it?

I will be the first one to admit that I like to succeed. I'm kind of a Type A (personality). I would feel frustrated if I was seeing patients over and over again and not getting anywhere. I feel like this whole person starts to emerge after working with these people. It's a great way to make a living. I feel like it's my calling.

How do you feel about cleansers such as juice drinks?

People do cleanse and they do feel better. Nine times out of 10 they will feel better, but the reality is in four months they will feel like their old self. It's a quick fix.

There's the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Are there preventative measures a person should take?

I think that there are standards within the world of dietetics that doesn't work for everyone. There should be vegetables and a little bit of fruit, and depending on the body, more meat or whole grains. You should avoid sugar, wheat, dairy and caffeine. Most people who cut out sugar more often feel better. Most don't do well with milk products or wheat. The food pyramid isn't right for everyone because people have come from different genetic heritages.

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