Matters of the Heart with Dr. Lisa Fortes-Schramm ND

As usual, Dr. Fortes appeared relaxed, confident, and happy. Who wouldn’t be on a beautiful day in Santa Cruz? The two hours we spent talking flew by. She spoke of what inspired her to become a naturopathic doctor and her specialties.

Dr. Fortes specializes in alternative therapies for cardiovascular disease, addictions, depression and anxiety.
All matters of the heart!

Dr. Fortes is from Tempe, Arizona. She attended Bethany College in Scotts Valley, California, and studied psychology and addiction. For 18 years, she lived in the same neighborhood.

Dr. Fortes always loved the water. As a child, she would run through the irrigation sprinklers in the fields near her home. When she saw the California ocean for the first time, she knew that she would one day make it her home.

Dr. Fortes has since lived in Santa Cruz County, California for most of the past 30 years. She and her spouse have been active participants in the community. They organized pride festivals in Salinas in the 1990s. They now live together with their “salty, old cat,” Marilyn, and various power tools to feed Dr. Fortes’ love of woodworking.

When I asked what drew her to medicine, she answered, “Helping people.”

Many naturopathic doctors have had careers before entering naturopathic college. I asked what led her to naturopathic medicine. She said. “A random internet search.”. Although counseling patients was very beneficial, she didn’t find it as productive as she wanted. She said, “I thought I would go into brain science, but after (that) random internet search, I found the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians) and was drawn to naturopathic medicine.”. She couldn’t remember how she came to that site, but she said, “As a daughter of a master gardener, naturopathic medicine was a natural fit.”. Dr. Fortes is now an expert herbalist who enjoys formulating and making herbal formulas.

She learned more about cardiovascular disease because of her personal family history.

Dr. Fortes had heart palpitations, now a thing of the past due to natural treatments. Her mother has cardiovascular illness. Dr. Fortes was able to study and work with Dr. Martin Milner ND, former professor of cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine at NUNM, National University of Naturopathic Medicine.

As a former drug and alcohol counselor, she wanted to help people suffering from addictions, depression, and anxiety. 

She could use her experience as a therapist and her new knowledge of brain health assessment and herbal treatments to help her patients.

Statistics vary, but according to the American Addiction Centers, one out of every eight adults struggled with alcohol and drug use in 2017. 8.5 million American adults suffer from mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. According to the NIH (National Institute of Health), 19 % of US women and 11.9% of US men experienced anxiety in 2019. The NIH estimated that 8.4% of all US adults suffered from depression in 2020. , that number is estimated to be much higher since the pandemic.

What does naturopathic medicine offer? According to Dr. Fortes, “Depth of understanding.”

She uses “a set of tools like brain health (and) nutrition assessments and lab tests.”. Along with a 60-75 minute patient interview, Dr. Fortes looks for imbalances in the neurotransmitter systems. Dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine are some examples. The nutritional test will identify dietary deficiencies and dysbiosis markers (gut problems). She reminded me that serotonin, after all, is primarily made in the gastrointestinal system. She said she chooses “as few supplements as possible” to treat these imbalances. I asked her if she could use this testing and treatments for people on anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication. Her answer was, “Absolutely!”. I can always ensure that what I give them will not interact with their medication(s).

My true love is herbal medicine. Drugs aren’t always the answer. It is the answer when necessary but is there something else we can do before.”.

Dr. Fortes is currently accepting new patients. She is ready to be your primary doctor or a part of your existing healthcare team.

Schedule your free phone consultation HERE.

Dr. Lisa Fortes-Schramm
Naturopathic Doctor
(408) 357-3422
San Jose Integrative Medicine
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