Moodle at CCNM

This presentation aims to provide up to date information on Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).  This 1.5 hour webinar will review the identification of SIBO, potential causes, as well as conventional and naturopathic treatments.  Discussion will also include various factors that underlie the development of SIBO as well as breath and serum lab testing.  Treatment details will include antibiotics and herbal antimicrobials, along with prokinetics, diet, and supportive supplementation.   Learning Objectives Define underlying pathology and potential causes of SIBO Discuss lab testing options for SIBO Identify signs and symptoms for various types of SIBO Summarize conventional treatments Examine naturopathic treatments  

This course has been generously sponsored by CytomatrixAre you wanting to gain confidence in your ability to safely prescribe supplements in the setting of a patient's active or past cancer diagnosis?  With 1 in 2 Canadian’s expected to be impacted by cancer in their lifetime, it is important for naturopathic doctors to have a robust understanding of the safe use of supplements for this patient population.  Participants of this webinar will learn about drug-nutrient interactions, levels of evidence, cautionary practices in hormone sensitive cancers, as well as metabolic, redox and immune considerations. The information will be evidence-informed and include clinical case scenarios.  Complete or specific protocols for cancer care are complex and outside the scope of this lecture. Learning ObjectivesObjective: Review the research/literature and current narrative regarding antioxidants, drug-nutrient-botanical interactions, phytoestrogens, specific supplement contraindications, in the integrative oncology setting. Competence: After attending this talk participants will 1. Cite specific key studies to support the safe use/evidence informed applications of supplements in cancer care 2. Apply a deeper understanding of the current narrative and how to navigate conversations around supplement controversies in cancer care with supportive evidence 3. Describe specific evidence-based contraindications for supplement use in cancer care 4. Demonstrate confidence in evidence-based prescribing in the integrative cancer care setting 

Original Date: March 2023 Assessment and Naturopathic Considerations  Credits: 1.5 Category A (CONO), 1.5 Category C (CNPBC) Instructors: Dr. Lynn Klassen, ND and Dr. Carolyn Mukai, ND Does your patient have acute Lyme disease? This course will provide a framework for assessing either a known or suspected tick bite, screening for red flag symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease, and offering evidence based antibiotic treatment for acute Lyme disease. The key principles of the naturopathic approach to acute Lyme disease considering the potential for persisting infection, the possibility of tick borne co-infections, and the most common treatment complications will be discussed. A detailed approach to informed consent and shared decision making, considering the risks of antibiotic therapy as well as the risk for untreated Lyme disease will also be reviewed.  

Autoimmune disease is growing at epidemic proportions with a very strong predominance of women being affected. Standard interventions are based on symptom control and immune suppression. This presentation reviews a proactive integrative, systems biology, approach for the naturopath to address disease prediction, prevention and treatment, including various evidence-based modalities. Presentation elements also include an exploration of why females are at such increased risk. The role of estrogen and other hormones, the GI microbiota, food immune reactions, stealth infections and molecular mimicry in autoimmune disease pathogenesis will be explored along with how these may serve as leverage points for naturopathic clinical interventions. The hygiene hypothesis and changes in early environmental antigen exposure are also explored. New opportunities for proactive screening for at risk subjects for autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and others using emerging predictive antibody testing are also reviewed and discussed from the perspective of the naturopathic doctor.

This presentation will provide attendees with the skills necessary to identify and address suicidality in children and adolescents. We will discuss risk factors and protective factors, as well as common behaviors that may indicate increased risk for harm. Once suicide risk is identified, attendees will learn how to discuss safety planning with patients, and will observe a mock safety planning conversation between the presenter and model patient.

Plants have engaged in an “arms-race” with fungi for many millions of years, and have evolved multiple mechanisms to inhibit their growth, disable their defenses, disrupt their biofilms, or destroy their cell membranes. We can take advantage of these mechanisms and apply whole plants, with all their synergistic constituents and activities, in direct contact with fungal-infected tissues. Because of the tendency of fungi and prokaryotic microbes to form multi-species biofilms, and specific anti-fungal component may make these herbs important in formulation for any topical infection. We will review the Azole-class of pharmaceutical topical antifungals, and then review the science and practical applications of berberine-herbs, Alliums, Calendula, thymol-herbs, Spilanthes/Acmella, Anemopsis, Commiphora, Usnea, Tabebuia, and Melaleuca, for common oral, vaginal, and skin infections.

Autoimmune diseases are the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world, surpassed only by cancer and heart disease. According to Fred Miller, director of the Environmental Autoimmunity Group at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, autoimmune diseases are now recognized as among the leading causes of death for young and middle-aged women in the United States. What more, prevalence rates for some of these illnesses are rising for what Miller says must largely be environmental reasons.

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are common, debilitating, and expensive diseases to manage. Current treatment strategies rarely achieve full remission, and the side effects of treatment can be severe. New research is uncovering that the immune system, like any other organ system in the body, has metabolic changes during the disease process. We are now understanding that immune mediated diseases can develop a metabolic signature, and therapies that modulate energy utilization within immune cells is uncovering new and exciting therapies.

Wherever they are found plants containing berberine and related Isoquinoline-alkaloids are used in traditional systems of medicine as major topical and internal medicines. Hydrastis and Xanthorhiza in Eastern North America, Mahonia and Berberis species more widely distributed on the continent, and Coptis species in both North America and China have all become major botanicals in the materia medica of those lands. Recent research on concentrated forms of isolated berberine have demonstrated potential uses for diabetes and several other conditions.

Liver congestion, inflammation and poor circulation are all players in reproductive conditions in women. In this lecture we will dive into the latest research as well as the Eclectic uses of herbs that are routinely used to regulate menstrual cycles, optimize fertility and decrease stasis in the pelvis. Herbs we will discuss include black cohosh, vitex, shitavari, maca, yellow pond lily, pulsatilla, red root, peony, horse chestnut, yarrow and more.

This presentation reviews current cervical cancer screening guidelines, updates and management of abnormal pap tests and HPV findings using the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) algorithms. There are some cases at the end of the presentation that will allow participants to apply the guidelines and practice using the algorithms. Participants will be able to apply this to their practice right away.

The clinical manipulation of the microbiome by the use of pre and probiotics in the USA has seen an exponential rise in the past 5 years. Despite the recent expansion of information the wide spread support by major medical societies the use of pre and probiotics is significantly hampered by the lack large randomized prospective studies. The lack of strain-specific data sets, lack of dose response, poor understanding of clear links to mechanism, and general misinformation about pre and probiotic products has limited the therapeutic use.  As the use of probiotics grows beyond general claims of overall gut health to more targeted health claims data is starting to emerge to support use in not only clinical setting but in programs supporting health lifestyles. Much of the focus in medical and surgical practice now revolves around the protection from gut barrier disruption and alterations in intestinal permeability as well as immunologic compromise.  Large prospective randomized trials have now reported benefits in prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia, antibiotic associated diarrhea, and Clostridium difficile diarrhea. Smaller prospective trials have shown use of probiotics to decrease total infectious complications actually shorten hospital stays. Determining a clinically effective dose (potency) for administration of a probiotic is a key but it appears that positive data is now available in pneumonia, antibiotic associated diarrhea, and a variety of other routine clinical challenges. This presentation reviews the current clinical perspective and possible use strategy for optimizing use of “probiotics” in a medical and surgical practice as well as the use to prevent acute surgical and chronic medical diseases.

This talk will discuss the reasons why we are in dire need of change in the therapeutic approach to cardiovascular disease, and how evidence of alternative treatments using food alone or nearly that has been right under out noses for years. I will review research and clinical evidence proving worth of this most classic of ‘food as medicine’ approaches, as well as help sift through weaker research on different dietary approaches trying to be passed off as good evidence. Finally I will summarize the overlapping principles in what has been discovered, and how to use them to create an applicable approach for everyone.

Throughout the world, now and in our past, people have fasted for many reasons, religious beliefs, health, because they had no food. So what does it do to our body when we fast, or reduce time of eating or reduce certain foods. We can change illnesses, like cancer, arthritis, brain injuries, SIBO through autophagy and rebuilding. How does the flora and fauna of our microbiome change with fasting? and what happens to our gene expression? We also explore the ways we can apply fasting techniques to our clinical practice.

Helping clients start, succeed and sustain meaningful dietary change is one of the most difficult tasks for any wellness practitioner. A multitude of powerful forces, including cultural, mental, emotional and spiritual—present hurdles, preventing patients from applying the nutrition know-how they already possess, and prevents them from being ready, willing or able to receive and implement new information. Dietary programs given to patients are rarely successful due to these under-appreciated influences. A new approach that increases patient efficacy and program adherence is needed. Food Story Coaching® is one such system that takes an inside-out approach to creating behavior change. Drawing from motivational interviewing, health coaching and positive psychology, Food Story Coaching® is a deeply humanistic way to empower patients to make long term dietary change.

The immune system is designed to produce an inflammatory response to an infectious disease. However, we consistently find people “stuck” in inflammation after an infection (such as those with Post-COVID Syndrome) or without an infection at all. In this lecture, we will explore what happens with people who have chronic inflammation. We will also discuss how food and the microbiome can contribute to their inflammation or help them heal.

As health professionals we need to take the lead in helping our patients be as well-informed as possible, and Dr. Hassell will outline the specific lifestyle choices which are consistently associated with less heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, and diabetes. He’ll also point out some common misunderstandings and controversies that are leading people to follow highly restrictive (and generally less healthy) diets. Dr. Hassell established the Providence Integrative Medicine Program at Providence Cancer Center and is co-author of Good Food, Great Medicine, a guide for using diet and lifestyle for optimal health.

For many people, the symptoms of COVID will not end when the pandemic ends.  Long-haul COVID can have devastating effects and for some they could last months or years. In this webinar we will take a deep dive into this emerging epidemic and discuss how you can support your patients on their road to recovery.   Learning Objectives Learn the symptoms of Long HaulIdentifying Who is at Risk Learn how to prevent symptoms and minimize side effectsLearn the causes of Long Haul and The effect of COVID on the immune system, endocrine system and brain healthLearn options for testing, Naturopathic Treatment and Support

Endometriosis patients are usually left frustrated by conventional medical treatments. While coping with severe pain or eagerly trying to improve their fertility, the typical hormonal treatments can throw these women into a whirlwind of side effects, and the surgeries often do not provide lasting benefit.  There are many myths and misunderstandings about endometriosis, including the fact that we now know this is a body-wide disease, NOT just lesions growing in the pelvis. Endometrial growths are only the tip of the iceberg, and we must also be looking at the environment in which they are occurring.  NDs and holistic practitioners are perfectly poised to give these women the comprehensive help and guidance they need. Our holistic approach is safe and mostly without side effects. By providing a range of natural treatment options, we can help empower these women and address the many issues related to this complex disease.

Viscum Album (Mistletoe) is one of the most studied botanicals for cancer application in the world. There are over 100 studies published at this time including several phase 3 studies as well as a phase two trial on John Hopkins School of medicine. Hellebores Niger is well known in botanical medicine and homeopathy and clinical research in Europe is increasing for uses in cancer, rheumatologic and other chronic inflammatory conditions.In this presentation we will look at the history, biochemistry, physiology and clinical applications of these two plants as well as the applied pharmacy of these preparations. We will also explore how these plants are applied according to principals of herbology, naturopathy, anthroposophic and modern medicine.