Dr. Korene Varano, a board-certified Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Registered Nurse (RN) at Roots Medical Center in Connecticut, specializes in oncology and alternative cancer therapeutics. Her approach emphasizes patient advocacy, transparency, and empowering patients to direct their care. Dr. Varano focuses on root cause medicine, aiming to understand and solve the underlying causes of disease. She embodies the principle of “Docere,” or doctor as teacher, educating patients to improve treatment and prevent future illness. With a commitment to prevention, Dr. Varano promotes health optimization and longevity. She embraces integrative medicine, collaborating with other providers and modalities to deliver comprehensive care and achieve the best outcomes for her patients. MysticMag finds out more.
Patient advocacy is a central focus of your practice. How do you ensure that patients are actively involved in directing their care, and how does this approach contribute to better health outcomes?
I am deeply committed to education and empowering patients with information about their treatment options, both conventional and naturopathic. My work primarily focuses on oncology, but I also work extensively with pediatric and non-oncology patients dealing with chronic autoimmune dysregulation and immune system issues. Educating patients and providing them with comprehensive information about their treatment options is a priority for me.
I have a reputation for providing extensive information in my treatment plans because I include research data in them. However, I firmly believe that patients should understand the rationale behind my recommendations. I do not want to simply provide a list of suggestions, including nutraceuticals, treatments, therapies, and nutrition, without explaining why I am suggesting them. I want patients to comprehend the reasoning behind my recommendations so they can decide whether or not to incorporate them into their treatment plan.
By providing patients with research data, clinical trial information, and research references, they can make informed decisions about their treatment plan. This approach, in my view, leads to better health outcomes because patients are basing their decisions on what has been proven in clinical research rather than simply following trends or anecdotal evidence. My practice is guided by research evidence, and I believe that education and providing research data are crucial in helping patients make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Root cause medicine is a key principle of yours. Can you explain how you determine the root causes of diseases or illnesses, and how this differs from traditional symptom-focused treatments?
In traditional symptom-focused treatments, individuals typically receive medication to alleviate their specific symptoms. For example, if someone has pain, they might be prescribed pain medication. Similarly, if someone has a cough, they might receive an inhaler, cough medicine, or steroids. These treatments address the symptoms themselves without necessarily addressing the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Root cause medicine, on the other hand, takes a different approach. It seeks to understand why a person is experiencing a particular symptom. For instance, if someone is experiencing pain, root cause medicine aims to determine if the pain is due to inflammation, a sprain or strain, a food allergy, or environmental exposure. By identifying and addressing the underlying cause of the symptom, root cause medicine aims to provide more comprehensive and effective treatment.
Diagnosing the root cause of a symptom can be done through various means. Sometimes, healthcare providers can identify the cause based on their experience and discussions with the patient. In other cases, diagnostic tests may be necessary to pinpoint the exact cause. For example, if a patient is experiencing chronic infections in their gastrointestinal tract, traditional healthcare may simply treat the symptoms as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) without investigating further. In contrast, a root cause approach would involve conducting tests to identify the specific infection, such as E. coli or H. pylori, and then treating the infection directly.
Instead of simply treating the symptom, root cause medicine focuses on treating the underlying cause to provide more lasting relief and improve overall health.
The concept of “Docere,” or doctor as teacher, takes an important place. How do you educate and empower your patients to understand their symptoms or illnesses, and why is this approach significant in improving health outcomes?
As I’ve mentioned, education is a cornerstone of my practice. A significant portion, about 50 to 60% of my time, is devoted to teaching and educating patients. I believe that providing patients with more information about their symptoms, and reassuring them that they are not alone in experiencing these symptoms, is crucial. Many patients come to me feeling isolated, thinking they are the only ones experiencing certain symptoms. However, I often inform them that these symptoms are actually quite common, affecting up to 80% of the population. This revelation can be quite surprising and comforting for them.
Another aspect of education in my practice involves helping patients understand the root causes of their symptoms. I often witness “light bulb moments” or “ah-ha moments” when I explain to patients why they are experiencing a particular symptom. This understanding helps them realize that their symptoms are not a sign of “going crazy,” but rather a normal response to certain factors. This knowledge is empowering for patients and often motivates them to adhere to their treatment plans, leading to improved health outcomes.
For example, I recently had a patient who had been experiencing a variety of symptoms for over a year without knowing the cause. After discussing her living environment, I suspected she might have mold toxicity. When I listed the typical symptoms of mold toxicity, she suddenly realized that her wet basement in her old home might be the source of her exposure. We conducted a lab test, which confirmed my suspicion. This knowledge not only helped her understand the cause of her symptoms but also motivated her to follow through with her treatment plan. As her symptoms began to improve, she became more committed to her treatment protocol and experienced significant relief.
I strongly believe that doctors should act as teachers, educating patients about their symptoms and their underlying causes. Many patients feel misunderstood or dismissed by mainstream healthcare providers who may not take the time to educate them about their conditions. By being thorough in my explanations and educating my patients, I aim to empower them to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their treatment.
How do you integrate preventive measures into patient care, and what are some examples of preventive strategies you recommend to your patients?
I consider prevention to be paramount in my practice. One of the specialized visits I offer is called a Wellness Visit, which caters to individuals who are not currently ill or diagnosed but are interested in preventative care. These patients are focused on averting conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, joint degeneration, and bone degeneration, which often afflict individuals later in life. The Wellness Visit revolves around integrating preventative care and lifestyle adjustments into their lives to stave off these degenerative diseases.
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in this approach. Our society’s perception of healthy nutrition has been distorted by the prevalence of fast-food chains and the nutrient-deficient foods that line our grocery store shelves. Educating people about healthy nutrition has yielded remarkable results. I’ve witnessed individuals completely transform their diets, leading to the resolution of symptoms they once believed were inevitable signs of aging. I often remind my patients that what we ingest directly impacts how our DNA functions. Consuming sugars, additives, fillers, and artificial flavors sends signals to our DNA that can lead to improper function. Conversely, providing our bodies with nutrient-rich foods helps our DNA function optimally, preventing the breakdown of tissues and organ systems.
Inflammation is another key focus, as our diet significantly influences inflammatory processes in the body, particularly in the colon. Chronic inflammation in the colon can lead to systemic inflammation and manifest as seemingly unrelated issues like shoulder or neck pain. Many individuals seek relief through pain medications, unaware that a simple dietary change could resolve the underlying inflammation.
Moreover, our modern lifestyle exposes us to an unprecedented level of environmental toxins. Unlike previous generations, we are bombarded with chemicals, pollutants, and electromagnetic frequencies daily. As a result, detoxification has become increasingly crucial. I often discuss the importance of detoxification with my patients, as our bodies now need to eliminate toxins more than ever before.
In summary, my key preventative measures in patient care, particularly during Wellness Visits, focus on nutrition and detoxification. By educating patients about healthy nutrition and the importance of detoxifying in today’s world, I aim to help them prevent chronic diseases, age-related degeneration, and the so-called “normal” aches and pains associated with aging. After all, these aches and pains are not inevitable; they are signals that our bodies need attention and care.
How do you collaborate with other healthcare providers and modalities to ensure comprehensive care for your patients, and what benefits does this integrative approach offer in terms of patient outcomes?
The integration with coaching offers several benefits in terms of patient outcomes. Firstly, by networking with other providers and having access to a wide range of complementary therapies and services, I can offer my patients a more comprehensive approach to their care. For example, if a patient needs more personalized nutrition coaching or specialized physical therapy, I can refer them to experts in those fields, ensuring they receive the specific care they need.
Having a network of providers also allows for a more holistic view of patient care. Each provider brings a unique perspective and skill set, which can help in creating more well-rounded treatment plans. For instance, collaborating with physical therapists can provide valuable insights into addressing musculoskeletal issues that may be contributing to a patient’s symptoms.
Collaborating with primary care providers and conventional oncologists is also essential, especially for patients undergoing cancer treatment. While some may prefer to work independently, having open communication and the ability to share treatment plans can lead to better outcomes for the patient. Additionally, collaborating with other providers allows for ongoing discussions about patient progress and treatment goals, ensuring that the patient receives the most effective and personalized care possible.
Overall, integrating with coaches and other healthcare providers enhances the quality of care I can provide to my patients. By offering a more comprehensive approach to treatment and having access to a diverse range of therapies, I can better meet the individual needs of each patient, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and better overall health.
If you would like to find out more about Korene Varano, please visit https://www.rootsmedicalcenter.com/
