HEALTH 2000 IN STORE NATUROPATH

Have you ever stood in the health aisle staring at a wall of vitamins, minerals, herbs and supplements and thought, “Where on earth do I start?” You’re certainly not alone! With so many products available today, choosing a supplement can sometimes feel like trying to find your way through a supermarket with a blindfold on. There are different brands, different strengths, different forms, a variety of prices and, of course, an impressive number of words that are difficult to pronounce. This is where a naturopath can be a very useful person to have in your corner. They want you to find the right product at the right price for your budget, so that your health improves. But what exactly is a naturopath, what do they study, and how can having one in your local health store benefit the community?

So, what is a naturopath?

A naturopath is a natural health practitioner who takes a holistic approach to wellbeing. Rather than looking at one symptom in isolation, naturopathy considers the person as a whole — including areas such as nutrition, lifestyle, your environment, sleep, stress, digestion and general wellbeing. A naturopath may use nutrition, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements and lifestyle advice as part of their approach, depending on their education, experience and professional scope of practice. And contrary to popular belief, being a naturopath isn’t simply a case of reading the back of a vitamin bottle and saying, “Yep, take two of those!” There is considerably more to it than that. A properly trained naturopath studies areas such as human biology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, herbal medicine, nutritional medicine and clinical practice. They learn how different systems of the body work and, importantly, when something is outside their scope and a person should be referred to another healthcare professional. In my case, I completed a Bachelor in Natural Medicine from the South Pacific College of Natural Medicine in Auckland, New Zealand, which was a three year degree. My training allows me to practice as a naturopath and/or medical herbalist. However, what does that mean exactly?

What qualifications does a naturopath need in New Zealand?

This is an interesting one — and something many people don’t know. In New Zealand, naturopathy is currently not a regulated profession under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act. This means there is no government registration system for

naturopaths in the same way there is for doctors, nurses or physiotherapists, and therefore there is no government funding allocated, nor are naturopaths recommended by allopathic medical practitioners. However, in New Zealand, there are two professional bodies for naturopaths and medical herbalists, one, the Naturopaths & Medical Herbalists of New Zealand (NMHNZ), points out that the title “naturopath” is not legally restricted. This makes it particularly important for consumers to ask about a practitioner’s education and professional membership. NMHNZ and the NZAMH (New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists) have their own professional standards for membership. Members must be degree qualified, and are required to maintain and prove ongoing professional development and a current first-aid certificate. So, when you’re choosing a naturopath, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask: “What and where did you study, and are you a member of a professional association?” A good practitioner should be happy and proud to tell you.

Why have a naturopath in a health store?

One of the biggest advantages of having a naturopath available in a health store, is personalised guidance from a trained and knowledgeable person. Walking into a health store and asking for “something for energy” could lead to dozens of possibilities. But why are you tired? Are you sleeping poorly? Is your diet lacking certain nutrients? Are you under a lot of stress? Are you simply doing too much? Could your current medications or health circumstances be relevant? These questions matter. A naturopath can have a conversation with you, ask appropriate questions and help narrow down the options. That doesn’t necessarily mean recommending the most expensive product on the shelf. In fact, sometimes the best advice may be that you don’t need a particular supplement at all. That’s an important part of responsible natural health practice.

Finding the right product — and the right dose

Another area where a naturopath can add real value is helping customers understand what they’re actually buying. Two bottles may appear to offer the same nutrient or herb, but the amount, form, concentration and other ingredients can be quite different. For example, a mineral may come in different forms, and herbal products can vary considerably in their extracts and strengths.

A naturopath can help explain the differences and consider what may be appropriate for an individual, rather than simply choosing whatever has the biggest, brightest label. Dose matters too. More isn’t always better. If one tablet is helpful, ten tablets aren’t automatically ten times as helpful! Unfortunately, the human body didn’t come with a “more is better” button. A naturopath can help customers understand appropriate product directions and consider factors such as age, diet, lifestyle, individual circumstances and other products or medicines they may already be taking.

Quality ingredients matter

Another thing many customers don’t realise is that quality can vary between products. A naturopath can help customers look beyond the front of the bottle and understand what is actually in the product. This might include considering:

• The form of the nutrient or ingredient.
• The amount of active ingredient.
• The quality and source of ingredients.
• Whether a herbal product contains a standardised extract.
• Unnecessary additives or fillers.
• How the product should be stored.
• Whether the product is appropriate for the individual. This knowledge can be especially valuable when someone is overwhelmed by the number of choices available.

 Naturopaths don’t replace your doctor

Perhaps one of the most important things a good naturopath knows is when not to treat something themselves. Naturopaths work within their own scope of practice and may refer customers to their GP, pharmacist, dietitian or another healthcare professional when appropriate. This is particularly important if someone has concerning symptoms, a diagnosed medical condition, is pregnant, is taking prescription medication, or is considering making significant changes to their health routine. Natural products can be powerful, and “natural” doesn’t automatically mean “risk-free”. Some herbs and supplements can interact with medicines or may not be suitable for everyone. That’s why professional advice matters.

A naturopath can be a great community resource

Having a qualified naturopath in a health store isn’t just about selling supplements.It’s about education. It’s about helping people understand their choices, asking better questions and making informed decisions about their wellbeing. Sometimes that might mean finding the right supplement. Sometimes it might mean changing a diet or lifestyle habit. Sometimes it might mean explaining why one product is different from another. And occasionally, it might mean saying, “Actually, I’d like you to have a chat with your doctor about that.” That’s good healthcare. So next time you walk past Health 2000 Northlands don’t be shy; come in and ask whether the naturopath is free for a chat. You don’t need to arrive with a list of Latin plant names or know exactly what supplement you need. That’s what we’re here for. Because when it comes to natural health, getting the right information can be just as important as getting the right product.

About the Author Erica Longstaff (BNatMed) is a qualified naturopath at Health 2000 Northlands with a passion for helping people improve their health through practical nutrition, lifestyle advice and evidence-informed natural medicine. She has a special interest in women’s health, metabolic issues, digestive health and healthy ageing. If you’d like personalised advice on navigating peri-menopause, pop into the store for a chat.