Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Derek Rodger, ND, was catapulted into the world of naturopathy medicine after his sister Carole was diagnosed with cancer. They scrambled to find an alternative non-toxic treatment but unfortunately, were too late to save her. After the heart wrenching loss, Dr. Rodger (ND) continued to be highly motivated to learn all he could about alternative, non-toxic cancer treatments and naturopathic medicine so he could share it with the world and save more people from debilitating diseases. He thought, “I’ve got to get qualified so I can help more people!” He quickly went back to school and received certificates in nutrition, including a CNHP (Certified National Health Practitioner), CNC (Certified Nutrition Consultant) and ultimately his doctorate in Naturopathic. He opened his private practice, located in Flemington, NJ.

Dr. Rodger (ND) runs a CNC course at Wellness Rocks, in downtown Clinton. Participants prepare to become Certified Nutrition Consultants by passing the fluff and focusing on the “real bones of what nutrition is all about,” including how food is made, the importance of supplementation, water intake, exercise and good sleep. The course, backed by the American Association of Nutritional Consultants, provides a comprehensive roadmap to a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Rodger (ND) is excited to present the class because his main goal is to educate people and spread the word about the vital role nutrition and lifestyle play in the health of the body. He reveals, “As we get older, it becomes even more important how we look after ourselves. The way we eat in our 40s and 50s is a clear indication of how our 60s and beyond will be.”

While he successfully runs his own practice, he still has time to serve as the Naturopathic Doctor for the Promise of Hope Cancer Foundation. The foundation informs people about alternative, non-toxic cancer treatments and gives them education and resources to pursue that route if they choose. He wants to ensure that people have a holistic place to turn to when faced with cancer. The doctor explains, “Non-toxic cancer treatments have a 90% success rate, unlike the traditional orthodox route, which has a success rate of about 3%. I educate people in these treatments and how much more effective they are if supported by a quality, nutritional diet.”

Nutrition is the absolute basis of this Naturopathic Doctors philosophy and practice. He admits frustration when people knowingly bypass good nutrition and get illness and disease in return. He says, “Most diseases are caused by a lack of good nutrition. Processed and fast food may be edible, but it’s not real. Your body is not programmed to get disease. It only gets diseases by what we put in it. If you constantly put bad food in your body, much like a car that breaks down, there’s going to be a reaction. It can’t cope with foods that don’t support the systems.”

Dr. Rodger (ND) stresses supplementation in the diet, including vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, Vitamin ‘D’ and pro-biotics. He believes that a person cannot get enough nutrition from today’s foods alone. Antioxidants also play an important part, as they combat the free radicals in our system. Dr. Rodger (ND) is inspired by Dr. Edward Bach’s flower remedies and regularly utilizes them in his practice. Dr. Bach believed that many people suffering from illness have underlying emotional issues like stress and depression that are keeping them sick. He identified 38 flower remedies that have the ability to help patients cope with life situations naturally while remaining holistic, safe and, most importantly, effective.

Dr. Rodger (ND) has treated eating disorders, diabetes, ADHD and more. Essentially, he wants his clients to learn to how to create a healthy lifestyle for both themselves and their family. He emphasizes, “They need to have an open mind and realize that there are many ways to treat themselves. Success can be obtained if people are prepared to change their lifestyle; they’ll see a definite change in a relatively short period of time. Nutrition works fast!” During a 90-minute consultation, he starts by taking your pH balance both oral and urine. He conducts Nutritional Reaction Tests (NRT) so he is able to identify the nutritional requirements the body needs. He then creates a program, including supplementation, highlighting the importance of good water, organic food, exercise and a good sleeping pattern in order to obtain optimal health.

Ambitious, driven and motivated, this Naturopathic Doctor will stop at nothing to spread the word about proper nutrition. Whether visiting him at his office or taking the plunge to complete a nutritional consultant course, he states, “The food you eat can either be the fastest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. The more people know, the more people will be educated and live healthy!”

New course series begins April 23. For more information, call 1-888-234-7685, email [email protected] or visit DrRodgerND.com.