Moodle at CCNM

Lack of muscle mass and sarcopenia-related illness are deadly and widespread in this country, especially among women. Women have shied away from strength training as it has been considered a man's sport. The health benefits of skeletal muscle mass are wide, varied, and well known, yet this treatment modality is rarely prescribed or utilized in clinical practice. In this presentation the many health and hormonal benefits of strength training and skeletal muscle are discussed as well as common conditions that can be positively impacted by its therapeutic application.

Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis is a special consideration in musculoskeletal pain management. Understanding what these conditions are, how they manifest, what standard of care is, where it fails the patient, and how/where naturopathic medicine can be of benefit is critical in the management of these debilitating disease processes. This lecture includes discussion of when/where therapeutic joint injections may be indicted and red flags to be aware of.

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), particularly Hashimoto thyroiditis, are common conditions presenting in naturopathic practices. In this seminar, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of AITDs are reviewed with an emphasis on the naturopathic clinical management of Hasimoto thyroiditis. Evidence-based herbal therapies indicated for reducing hyperactive immune responses in Hashimoto thyroiditis are also explored.

As we begin to see more and more older adults in our offices we need to be equipped to differentiate normal aging from the early stages of dementia. Dementia is like a rising tide now with 1 in 2 having some form of dementia by age 85. This lecture will propose a straightforward and simple way to assess patients with memory problems at any age and suggested ways to comprehensively treat them. Part of the treatment approach described is based on the groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research by Dr. Dale Bredeson who has found that the only hope for Alzheimer’s and dementia is a naturopathic one; where the causes of neurodegeneration must be found and addressed. Naturopathic Physicians are the ones most suited to stem this rising tide of dementia. A method will be described to include cognitive testing from pencil and paper approaches to brain imaging and laboratory analysis. Cases will be utilized throughout the presentation to demonstrate this assessment and treatment approach.

Nutrition effects nearly every aspect of neurology and immunology. The Brain-Gut, where the nervous system and immune system intersect, may be where nutrition has its largest impact. This intersection is where neuroinflammation resides, and is the root of neurological disease. This presentation discusses the immunological mechanisms involved in neuroinflammation. We outline nutritional strategies that address neuroinflammation. Sample cases from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injury will illustrate the potential for food to prevent and treat symptoms of neurological disease.

We will first dive head-first into identifying the many elements of hormone dysregulation that are characteristic of Polycystic ovary syndrome, so that we may understand how and what nutritional interventions affect hormonal health. Then we will take a close look at what foods are specifically proven to help, and what are proven to hurt- or further dysregulate the PCOS picture. Next, we will cover nutrients, herbal preparations such as teas and other augments to dietary interventions. We will end with a nutritional protocol of foods to incorporate and foods to avoid, putting together the previous evidence-based interventions. In addition to understanding what specific recommendations Dr. Cortal gives to her patients with PCOS, discussion will be devoted to the logistics of patient dietary change, i.e. behavioral change and motivational interviewing.

Perimenopause is defined as "around menopause" and refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years (From the Mayo Clinic). However, there is no agreed upon age of onset, with some women noticing emotional and physical changes as early as their mid 30s. Typically, by age 40 nearly all women are experiencing some type of perimenopausal change.

During this talk we will discuss the literature supporting the role of plant-based diets in reducing cancer incidence and improving outcomes after a diagnosis of cancer. We will review dietary components and mechanisms that impact cancer development, highlight new areas of research and discuss the international cancer nutrition guidelines.Learning objectivesReview cancer statistics in CanadaReview the evidence supporting the role of diet in cancer developmentReview the evidence supporting the role of diet in cancer outcomesReview the international guidelines for nutrition and cancer preventionHighlight new areas of nutrition research in cancer

Obesity has a large impact on the health in our country and our economy. But losing weight can be challenging, complicated and confusing with all the different options. Teaching people about the importance of eating a diet low in calorie density can help people lose weight and help them make healthier food choices which can have long term health benefits.

In this first of two talks, Dr. Korn provides an in-depth overview of a non-ideological approach to the art and science of integrative and functional nutrition for mental health. We will explore the use of bioidindividual diets, ranging from carnivore to vegetarian in mental health including the use of specific foods and botanicals along with nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, special nutrients, and glandulars to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD and insomnia. We will explore foundational nutrients, protocol design and issues of program adherence and personality. Finally, we will touch upon helping people decrease or eliminate psychotropic use by using an integrative approach.

We can use food elimination to reduce the severity of the symptoms one experiences but elimination rarely addresses the root cause of the issue. In this discussion, we will look at how a number of physiological imbalances can lead to various food intolerance with a special focus on histamine, sulfur, salicylates and FODMAPs. We will discuss how to assess for these types of food intolerances, when to apply elimination strategies, and how they can either help, or hinder outcome.

The modern practice of Chinese medicine can be quite neglectful of classic historical case studies. In this, language barriers are perhaps the biggest problem for a western audience. In this presentation, a number of previously untranslated acupuncture and herbal case studies are presented and analyzed for the modern clinician. Attention is given to how these case studies inform the practitioner and how the underlying epistemology is different but still informative from a clinical perspective. For each case, a simple introduction to the historical background of the time the case was written is given to better contextualize the material.

One in every 59 Americans is autistic and evidence shows that a great many more adults, particularly women and gender non-conforming patients, are misdiagnosed and/or undiagnosed. Whether or not physicians recognize it or specialize in working with autistic patients, they are very likely already in our offices. There are many myths both in culture and medicine about what it means to be autistic and how best to serve this patient population. Mainstream medicine has little to offer these patients, as the pathology paradigm deems it impossible to be both autistic and well. Autistic patients are underserved in basic health needs, provider understanding, and in the treatment of frequently co-occurring conditions such as migraines, seizures, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, hypermobility, dysautonomias, and mental health conditions. Suicide rates for autistic people are estimated 10x higher and lack of acceptance and understanding is one of the primary cited causes.My presentation will not focus on pharmaceuticals, but I will briefly discuss avoiding benzodiazepines and the potential use of clonidine, guanfacine, and lamotrigine in appropriate cases.

Though body image disturbances impact a high proportion of the population, clinical training and expertise remains low. This presentation defines body image and explores its relationship to physical, mental, and social health. The presenter considers the role of media, culture, industry, medicine, and research in embodiment, as well as highlights strategies and resources for clinicians to support their patients in building a more positive body image and sense of self.

Weight bias and weight stigma are common in medicine. Patients in larger bodies are marginalized in the medical system and frequently receive worse care than patients in average sized bodies. In addressing the whole person, naturopathic medicine is fundamentally weight neutral and body positive in a way that can benefit many patients who have experienced negative interactions with medical providers in the past. This presentation focuses on educating providers on the negative effects of weight bias and weight stigma on patients. The presenter shares tips and tools for working with patients in larger bodies and providing weight neutral, whole person centered healthcare.

Dr. Anderson reviews and synthesizes all of the content from the prior three presentations. Guidelines are presented for practitioners who are just starting out with pharmacogenomics and other forms of genetic testing. Practitioners are given advice on how to get started, how to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and what their top priorities should be for integrating these practices in their clinic.