The following blog first appeared as a featured article for the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges in December 2017. We hope you will enjoy this up-close and personal account of what it means to choose naturopathic medicine as one’s calling and become a naturopathic physician.

Heart disease is one of the biggest health concerns facing Americans today. As the No. 1 killer in the United States, it accounts for one in every four deaths, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

The good news is it is also preventable. You might think that heart disease is only a concern for older adults, but even at a young age, lifestyle decisions can put you at a higher risk for heart issues later in life.

Naturopathic medicine has its roots in many traditional healing systems, including the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates who expressed the concept of “the healing power of nature” as essential to medicine over 2,400 years ago. Naturopathic medicine has grown substantially in the past three decades as a safe and effective alternative or complement to pharmaceuticals, and yet the field is not as well known as other forms of health care.

For the millions of Americans with chronic conditions, naturopathic doctors are offering new perspectives and treatment options that are quickly becoming a first line of care. This growing popularity has led to more support among legislators to license NDs in states across the country.

Once you decide that you are interested in a career in Naturopathic Medicine, you’ll be faced with the task of choosing a program that will best prepare you to become a successful naturopathic physician. Not all naturopathic medicine programs are created equally. While most schools will give you training in naturopathic therapies, the caliber, depth, and rigor of the program can vary.