A case study by Princess Burnett, ND, a recent naturopathic medicine graduate and a current student in the NUHS Oriental Medicine program, was recently awarded third place as part of a scholarship competition hosted by Naturopathic Doctor News and Review (NDNR).

Co-authored with NUHS faculty member Jennifer Green, ND, Dr. Burnett’s case study, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: The Impact of Nutrition, focused on using nutrition to help combat symptoms associated with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, a common autoimmune disorder involving chronic inflammation of the thyroid.

For the case study, Dr. Burnett selected a patient with the condition, who was assigned to her while working as an intern at the NUHS Whole Health Center under Dr. Green. According to Dr. Burnett, the patient greatly benefited from making dietary changes.

“By eating healthy, one is also decreasing other factors involved in causing aggravation of the thyroid function,” Dr. Burnett said. “Dietary management can help to reduce further effects linked to autoimmunity and in addition to diet, it also highlights the importance of making other lifestyle changes to increase vitality and improve thyroid function.”

Burnett added that the study presents evidence-based research that emphasizes the naturopathic philosophy of treating the root cause of disease in order to create the conditions that optimize overall health.

“I think naturopathic medicine was so pivotal in helping to improve her symptoms and getting her onto a path of healing,” Dr. Burnett said.

To read the full case study in NDNR click here.