Microbiome Bootcamp | Heather Zwickey, PhD and Andrea McBeth, ND | 135 minutes
The human microbiome is an exciting and rapidly evolving space in human health. The importance of its role in gastroenterology cannot be understated. By overviewing the evolution of our understanding of this complex organ like system we can see how it fits within the naturopathic treatment paradigm of wholistic health. We will overview the basic science, clinical research, environmental impacts, and translation to disease applications.
Gut-Liver Axis and its impact on chronic liver disease|Vivian Asamoah, MD| 60 minutes
The role and function of the liver; clinical diagnosis of underlying liver disease. The importance of the intestinal microbiome (IM) on the gut liver axis and the impact of dysbiosis on chronic liver disease. Pathogenesis and causative factors leading to disease progression: gut dysbiosis, bile acid metabolism chronic inflammation , intestinal permeability, and immune system activation. The impact of these factors on development or progression of chronic liver disease with a particular focus on fatty liver disease and cirrhosis/hepatic encephalopathy. Highlighting the role of IM manipulation in a an attempt to reverse or slow down liver disease through diet, use of studied herbals supplements, prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics and fecal transplantation. Briefly conclude with practical pearls for the naturopathic clinician to fully understand full scope and benefits of adjunctive therapies available to treat their patient’s with chronic liver disease.
Shifting Microbial Diversity with The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD): Clinical Tools and Current Research|Christine Bowen, ND, GCP| 60 minutes
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) was created approximately 100 years ago and has been used to improve IBD symptoms and to induce IBD clinical remission for nearly 100 years. It is just now (in the last 6 years, mostly) starting to gain interest in conventional GI circles, which has lead to more research being conducted. The research has included several studies on how SCD shifts and changes the microbiome. In addition to the research, in my clinical practice I have seen immediate and tangible evidence of these microbial shifts including inhibition of dental caries, skin healing, IBS symptom resolution, mucosal healing (IBD remission), mood and blood sugar regulation and more. Studies have also been conducted on how SCD helps the gut-brain axis in Autism Spectrum Disorders. My presentation will give enough background on SCD to help participants who are unfamiliar have basic knowledge to build on and also is a deep enough dive that is should satisfy participants who are SCD knowledgeable as well. My presentation will include resources for implementing SCD in your practice and deeper dive into the current body of research on how SCD affects the microbiome.
Microbiome Regulated Immunity at a Histological Level|Roz Donovan, ND| 60 minutes
A review of the histological variation of the GI tract with special consideration of the microbiome, immune function and neurotransmitter use and creation. Specifically, the interaction of the goblet cells, glutamate and Akkermansia muciniphila.
“Is this SIBO?” – exploring SIBO presentations via challenging
cases|Nirala Jacobi, ND| 60 minutes
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a complex condition that is often caused by several factors or triggers. From dysmotility, to digestive deficits, microbiome dysregulation and structural components, finding the underlying cause is key in resolving chronic SIBO cases. Most of us have had opportunities to work with SIBO patients that don’t seem to improve even with well thought out treatment plans. In this presentation, Dr Jacobi explores the contributing factors through which SIBO develops and presents itself by reviewing challenging cases from her practice.
Probiotics: Sorting the Strain from the Chaff|Jason Hawrelak, BNat(Hons), PhD, FNHAA, MASN, FACN| 60 minutes
Over the last 20 years, probiotic research has increased exponentially. This has been mirrored by an explosion of probiotic products in the marketplace. With the sheer choice of probiotic supplements and foods available on the market today, it can be challenging for health professionals to sort through each manufacturers’ claims of superiority. In this presentation, Dr Hawrelak will examine the concept of probiotic strain specificity and discuss the shifting paradigm in probiotic prescribing from “re-seeding” to choosing the strain with the desired action for treating specific conditions. He will also share some tips to help clinicians navigate through probiotic marketing claims.
Becoming a Research Evaluation Rockstar|Joshua Goldenberg, ND| 60 minutes
Join us for a primer on becoming an integrative medicine critical evaluation rockstar! We go over some key issues that arise commonly in integrative medicine research. Specific topics include unmasking versus blinding, industry sponsorship, spin, straw man comparators, selective outcome reporting, and clinical significance versus statistical significance. Learn how to spot this issues when you read integrative medicine research articles.
Treating Chronic Derm Problems by Treating the Gut|Julie Greenberg, ND| 60 minutes
Skin diseases affect approximately 1 in 3 Americans at any given time, and non-dermatologists evaluate over 50% of skin disease that presents in the outpatient setting. As primary care physicians, NDs are on the front line of diagnosing and managing skin conditions. However, dermatology education is sorely lacking in both the ND curriculum as well as in continuing education. While most NDs agree that “all health begins in the gut,” many are not aware of the latest research on changes in the microbiome related to chronic skin disease. NDs therefore often focus treatment on the elimination of foods, which can occasionally be helpful, but more often does not address the root cause of chronic skin disease. While diseases such as rosacea, eczema, acne and psoriasis have complicated pathologies, there is abundant evidence that part of the underlying root cause of these conditions stems from gut microbiome dysfunction. This presentation will present the latest published research on the gut/skin connection in order to provide attendees with the tools they need to formulate effective protocols to treat the toughest derm cases.
The Limitations of Applying Current Microbiome Science in Clinical Practice|Megan Taylor, ND| 60 minutes
Integrative medicine providers, including naturopathic physicians, routinely employ new and emerging science to inform their clinical practice. This practice of early adoption, along with growing interest from the public, has contributed to the explosion in affordable gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome testing marketed to integrative medical practices. These tests are often described as clinically useful tools that can be used to inform treatment of chronic medical conditions, as well as strategies for optimizing general wellness. While these interventions can often be of great benefit to patients, their implementation is not always informed by a nuanced understanding of the limitations of this testing. Commercial microbiome testing in its current form cannot truly nor completely describe an individuals GI microbiome health, except possibly when identifying specific infectious pathogens, nor inform specific interventions (probiotics, prebiotics, etc.) with the accuracy often claimed by the tests themselves, or the physicians employing them. As early adopters, it is our responsibility to not only understand the usefulness of GI microbiome testing, but also its limitations, and ensure that our care is informed by this knowledge. This presentation will review the technology employed in current commercially available microbiome testing and what practitioners should know regarding the limitations of utilizing this technology in clinical practice.
NOTE: This talk is not intended to dissuade providers from using GI microbiome tests, but rather encourage thoughtfulness and transparenc when utilizing these technologies. I believe that highlighting this discussion in a separate talk (vs combining with a more in-depth review of the technology) will help participants better retain information essential to their PARQ discussions.
The Broad-Based Benefits of Bile Acids|Mona Morstein, ND, DHANP, VMI| 60 minutes
· Understand the complex physiology of bile acids and the receptors they activate
· Understand how bile acids/receptors impact many different body/organ systems and the microbiome, and how specific bacteria affect bile acids
· Consider using bile acids to help treat a variety of conditions, including fatty liver, liver detoxification, glucose regulation, and weight loss
Occult Oral Infections – Uncovering Microbial Imbalances|Steven Sandberg-Lewis, ND, DHANP| 60 minutes
I will use a case of a 62 yo female with intestinal methanogen overgrowth and chronic unresolved dental infections to illustrate the importance of oral abscess as a source of GI microbiome issues. Her endodontist had told her that there was no remaining infection. I had treated her for over a year with some moderate-good responses to treatment before further investigating the oral issues. The investigation was prompted by a relapse of her symptoms despite significant improvement in breath test results. On referring her for a second dental opinion, 5 areas of infection were foun along with a stray bone fragment from a previous dental extraction. After just a few injections of ozone into the infected areas and removal of the bone fragment, she had total normalization of her GI and systemic symptoms. I will demonstrate the use of a relatively simple applied kinesiology technique that I use to investigate the presence of significant dental health issues in my GI patients.
Nutrition and the Human Microbiota|Cory Szybala, ND| 60 minutes
This will be an overview/update on the impact nutrition has on the human microbiota. I will review specific nutrients and the roles they play as well as a wholistic perspective on what a healthy microbiome diet might look like.
Effects of Meditation on the Microbiome: A Literature Review|Emily Wolbers, ND| 60 minutes
The prevalence of anxiety & depression in patients with functional gastrointestinal distress is significantly higher than compared to healthy controls. These numbers shed light on the need for mental health intervention for people suffering from functional digestive distress. This presentation offers a review of current literature on the effect of stress-reduction techniques, specifically mediation, on the microbiome and how to implement beneficial stress-reduction techniques into treatment plans for patients with gastrointestinal distress.
Herbs and the Microbiome|Eric Yarnell, ND| 60 minutes
The complex and important interactions between herbal medicines and the gut microbiome will be discussed. The effect of herbs upon the gut flora will be reviewed, including whether herbs cause dysbiosis, the potential for non-food herbal probiotics, and how herbs can otherwise change the composition of the gut flora will be reviewed. The metabolism of herbal compounds by the gut flora and the effect this has on human health will be presented.