Homeopathy has been used for more than 200 years. Samuel Hahnemman, a German physician, developed homeopathy in the late 1700s. Homeopathy encourages the body to heal itself by enhancing our own innate vital force, a force that for some reason has become diminished. Derived from the Greek words homeo and pathos, homeopathy literally means “similar suffering.” Homeopathy is based on the principle that “like cures like”; that a substance that produces certain symptoms in a healthy person can be used in minute quantities to treat those same symptoms in an unhealthy person. For example, although syrup of ipecac induces vomiting, a naturopathic practitioner may use homeopathic doses of ipecac to alleviate vomiting.

Homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on symptoms — emotional and physical — rather than on the condition itself. For example, one child may have the flu accompanied by high fever, chills and irritability. Another flu sufferer may experience bone pain. Because of these differences, each child requires a different homeopathic medicine.

Homeopathy can be used on an acute basis to treat conditions that come on quickly and last a short time, as in the flu cases just mentioned. Homeopathy can also treat a person constitutionally. Constitutional treatment requires in-depth consideration of a person’s entire physical, emotional and mental makeup to determine a remedy that can alleviate that person’s predisposition to certain conditions. For example, treatment for a child with an acute ear infection may differ from treatment for a child who’s susceptible to ear infections.

Homeopathic medicines are safe for both children and adults. Because of the minute amounts of vegetable, animal or mineral substances used, they’re nontoxic, eliminating the risk of accidental poisonings. D

Whether it’s a 2-mile morning jog around the neighborhood, a training run for a local 10K or an intense series of sprints in a track event, warm weather means more fitness-conscious folks are lacing up their shoes and hitting the road.But what many runners don’t realize is that they’re running on empty when it comes to the right balance of nutrients for attaining peak performance. Sports nutritionists often first recommend balanced, whole-foods meals to ensure their clients are getting the essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids needed for athletic performance; but more often than not, runners aren’t eating enough food-or the right foods-to meet their daily nutrient needs. That’s why supplements can be the saving grace for refueling the runner’s stride, bringing faster speeds, enhanced endurance and amplified energy.

Studies show that runners in particular come up short on B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and antioxidants. The type of running, whether for fitness or competition, can also determine specific nutritional gaps. For instance, recreational runners-like joggers or those who might participate in an occasional 5K race-might not deplete the same amounts of minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants that a competitive racer would.

Sports nutritionists agree that long-distance runners in particular benefit from glutamine, an amino acid that meets increased protein needs to speed muscle recovery following an event; pyruvate, a metabolism constituent that improves muscular endurance; and glucosamine sulfate to relieve joint pain and inflammation. Antioxidants are also very important to endurance runners.

Women runners in particular need to be sure to get enough iron. Because many women don’t eat enough foods high in iron, a slow-release iron supplement can keep up energy and ward off the possibility of anemia.

For sprinters, studies have shown that creatine can help. According to manufacturers’ labels, loading up on the supplement for several days can boost muscle strength and sprint performance. The trick with creatine is taking the right amount over a certain period of time to get the best benefits