Potomac — When he graduated from the University of Colorado in Environmental Science, Kevin Passero was unsure about his career path. Fortunately, he found an internship with a naturopathic doctor in Denver — and after discovering how successful natural remedies can be and observing the appreciation that patient after patient expressed, he headed to Portland, Oregon to earn his doctorate in naturopathic medicine from one of four nationally accredited Naturopathic Medical Schools in the U.S.

Raised in Potomac by Peter and Maria Passero, Passero now resides in Annapolis. He has offices in Washington D.C., Annapolis and Bethesda. He is immediate past president of the Maryland Association of Naturopathic Physicians and an active member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. On Sunday mornings from 10-11 a.m., he hosts the radio show, “The Essentials of Healthy Living” on 1500 AM.

Passero explains what naturopathic doctors do and why he is attracted to this philosophy of healing. “Naturopathic doctors are clinicians that have been trained with an emphasis on utilizing natural means of healing. These remedies include nutrition, herbs, homeopathy, bio-identical hormones, vitamins and minerals. In traditional medicine, typically, the patient is given a diagnosis and medicated in an effort to simply manage symptoms. Naturopathic medicine operates under the principle that the body is a self-healing, self-regulating organism. My goal with every patient is to identify the underlying causes that contribute to the symptom and create strategies to restore health and vitality by working with the body using primarily natural therapies.”

Some of the medical issues that Passero addresses are depression, chronic pain management, thyroid disease, hormone imbalances, Lyme’s disease, and gastrointestinal issues such as acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome. “A lot of people just don’t feel well. They are tired and experience low energy and hormonal symptoms. Their blood tests look normal — but they just don’t feel right.”

Passero explains that his first interview with a patient is lengthy because he focuses on the patient’s lifestyle, medical history, emotional issues and physical health. He works collaboratively with other physicians and with his patients to help them better understand their bodies and their illnesses — and often serves as a teacher to educate them about tests and prescribed treatments.

For example”, he said, “Hypothyroidism can be difficult to manage. Thyroid patients are often given thyroid medication and told by their physician that their condition is being adequately managed once lab tests normalize. However, many of these people still experience the symptoms of low thyroid function, such as fatigue, brain fog, weight gain and hair loss that arose when they were first diagnosed. These symptoms can continue to persist for years even though lab tests continue to be normal. I help them regain their health by individualizing their treatment approach and taking into account the various factors that influence how their body might be responding or not responding to a particular intervention. I then use the appropriate natural therapies and hormonal support needed to bring their body back into balance. Each person will likely have a different formula for success which is why an individualized approach to care is so critical for good outcomes.”

Passero sums up his approach: “Every person can benefit from an individualized approach to healing." My goal is to customize every single person’s treatment regimen based on what is right for their body. There is no cookie-cutter approach to Naturopathic medicine.”

Passero can be reached at Drpassero@gmail.com or by calling 443-433-5540. For more information on naturopathic medicine visit www.naturopathic.org or his website at www.GreenHealingNow.com.