Moodle at CCNM

Disordered eating behaviors can have a profound impact on digestive physiology, resulting in changes to motility, anatomy, digestive secretions, immunologic status, and microbial balance. These changes often lead individuals with eating disorders to develop any number of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), with some studies estimating a 98% prevalence of FGID in patients with an eating disorder (Boyd, et al. 2005). And to make matter more complex, the symptoms of the eating disorder itself can often be indistinguishable from the symptoms of these gastrointestinal disorders, making it difficult for clinicians to identify appropriate treatment strategies. This overlap can present challenges in the setting of a functional GI practice, and poses some difficult questions. How do we appropriately screen for and recognize patients who have eating disorders? How do we ensure that our interventions do not cause harm to these patients? Do we consider dietary modification or other cornerstones of digestive health treatments in this patient population? This presentation will explore these questions, as well as provide useful tools for clinical evaluation, management, and appropriate referrals for patients with disordered eating behavior and diagnosable eating disorders.

Although brain injuries have received a great deal of press lately, they are still poorly understood. In this presentation, we explore brain injuries through the lens of Applied Psychophysiology, “the practical understanding of the mind-body interrelationship with regard to therapeutic treatments of various kinds”. (Jonas: Mosby's Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (c) 2005, Elsevier.) Research and clinical experience point to a strong connection between brain injuries and digestive disorders including SIBO. A review of that research is presented to illustrate and expand upon gastrointestinal cases gleaned from the private practice of Kayle Sandberg-Lewis. Steven Sandberg-Lewis presents research on treatment options for traumatic brain injury are in the early stages. Factors to consider in the cascade of dysfunction for these patients include reducing oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and inflammation (activated microglia) as well as supporting mitochondrial function, membranes, synapses and axons. Several protocols have been studied with multiple nutritional and botanical options. This 30 minute presentation gives an overview of the choices and present the evidence available.

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) are hosting the third of its Collaborative Care Panel Series discussions on Collaborative Family Medicine. The purpose will be to explore the challenges and opportunities of working collaboratively to enhance patient care.The presenters in this presentation are Dr. Nick DeGroot, ND; Dr. Christine Palmay, MD; Dr. John Gannage, MD; Dr. Michelle Richea, ND; Dr. Jordan Robertson, ND; Dr. Courtney MacEwan, MD.

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.

Fermented foods are integral elements of culinary practices in every part of the world. This presentation discusses the reasons for this, and ways in which the process of fermentation transforms foods and beverages, with a focus on nutritional transformations. Fermentation predigests foods, making nutrients more bioavailable, breaking down many toxic compounds, and generating various by-products, some of which have been found to have therapeutic applications. The greatest health benefit of fermented foods are the bacteria themselves, which are probiotic and help to restore biodiversity in the intestines, where they contribute not only to improved digestion but also immune function, mental health, and almost every aspect of our functioning and well-being.

Research suggests that “classic” fibromyalgia (FMS) is a central pain processing disorder and does not appear to be a peripheral somatic disorder. Dr. Brady will emphasize the concept that this central-mediated disorder is strongly associated with psychological disorders, including trauma and abuse history, depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep disorder. Common mechanisms in-play regarding these concomitant issues and global pain will be fully explored and accurate differential diagnostic and comprehensive naturopathic therapeutic strategies will be discussed in-detail. The concept of “pseudo” or “false” fibromyalgia diagnostic labels will also be discussed, to include various organic and functional medical conditions, as well as somatic musculoskeletal conditions, which confound the accurate diagnosis of “classic” FMS will also be presented. Natural and pharmacological interventions options will be presented, including discussion of the following medications: - Savella (milnacipran HCl) - Duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta) - Pregabalin (Lyrica) -Gabapentin -Naltrexone

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.

This lecture discusses common gastrointestinal bacterial and parasitic infections and gives guidance for diagnosis and treatment. Also discussed is the importance of eradication of these infections as a key primary approach to reversing metabolic endotoxemia and establishing optimal gastrointentinal health. Prescriptive medications as well as herbal and nutraceutical treatments are discussed as well. Pharmaceuticals discussed include: Pyrantal Pamoate, Nitazoxanide, Praziquantel, Albendazole, Mebendazole, Tinidazole, Ivermectin, Iodoquinol

Gu Syndrome is a chronic inflammatory syndrome involving an autoimmune reaction and/or simultaneous infections by many different pathogens or parasites such as funguses, viruses and spirochetes. These simultaneous infections thrive upon each other's existence and symbiotically assist each other in the process of feeding on the infected person. This presentation gives an overview of different manifestations of Gu Syndrome, describes the history of Gy Syndome in classical Chinese medical texts, and describes different treatments for Gu Syndrome such as the application of Chinese Herbs and adherence to an anti-inflammatory diet.

Five element cartography is an effective and unique system of medicine that diagnoses and treats the cause of disease. David Ford explains and promotes the idea of elemental balance with the patient and their surroundings. In standard TCM teaching, the Ko cycle is taught as a cycle of restraint and control.This presentation re-examines this idea and re-frames Ko as the force for balance and harmony. Participants will be presented with a method for mapping the elements within their patients to identify imbalances and restore harmony through treatment.

Historically, the heart has been regarded as a source of wisdom, spiritual insight, courage, thought and emotion. It wasn’t until the 1700s that humans began relegating this spiritual center to the role of a machine, whose function was only that of pumping blood. Modern research reminds us that the heart is an incredibly complex, dynamic and intelligent organ, communicating with and influencing the brain and the rest of the body. This class will cover the traditional uses, mythology and lore of several heart-centered herbal allies, with additional emphasis on dietary and lifestyle changes that can support healing on physical, emotional and spiritual levels.

This presentation begins by establishing a baseline understanding of the typical ways physicians use electronic communications, -- e.g. email, texting, online video, etc – in practice. We then come to understand legal and ethical implications of these uses and provide some guidance for adhering to those laws and ethics.  The presentation focuses on a combination of the learners’ professional and ethical responsibilities and the legal standards that help them know how to live up to those responsibilities. Concrete examples are used to help ensure understanding of the material.

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.

A healthy immune system should be responsive to infectious disease and tolerant to self. As we gain a better understanding of how the immune system goes awry during autoimmune disease, we have discovered new mechanisms of self-tissue destruction. This presentation provides an update on three aspects of the immune system, and their role in autoimmunity. IL-17 is involved in the elimination of extra-cellular bacteria and fungi. However, IL-17 is also found in autoimmune lesions, suggesting that it can be pathogenic or beneficial depending upon the context. Likewise, while TNFalpha helps keep tumors at bay, it can be highly destructive in autoimmunity. Finally, we will examine the breadth of auto-antibodies to determine which are ubiquitous and which are truly predictive of disease. We will discuss the immunological chemicals as well as the pharmaceuticals – biologics – used to block these chemicals.

'The Immune System' was an outgrowth of understanding the treatment of AIDS. Contemporary epidemics of cancer, some causes of diabetes, and auto-immune diseases have a clear basis in the murky world of immunity. Environmental pollution from chemical, parasitical and nuclear radiation sources pose growing challenges for global health. Chinese medicine--particularly its classical reservoirs--can provide a more accurate understanding for all pracitioners and researchers with what is going on in the body in response to these unprecedented conditions. Contemporary Chinese treatment methods, particularly overlooked non-needle techniques, afford practitioners and patients with empowering tools for direct investigation and treatment of all immune conditions.

Depression, anxiety, and insomnia are common comorbidities, reaching epidemic proportions. After reviewing use and concerns associated with prescription medications for these concerns, the talk will review diet, lifestyle, and natural health product strategies that have proven safe and effective for management of these common mental health concerns. A key focus of the presentation will be to differentiate between strategies safe to combine with common mental health prescription medications versus strategies that are safe and appropriate for unmedicated individuals, yet inappropriate to combine with common prescriptions. A broad array of prescription medications will be mentioned… Over 50 common mental health prescriptions will be listed in slides… Too many to list here. Typically, specific discussion occurs regarding citalopram, fluoxetine, Effexor, pristiq, Ativan, clonazepam, lorazepam, and zoplicone

PTSD is a complex and often debilitating condition. My presentation includes overview of diagnosis, standard of care (including pharmaceutical treatment) for both children and adults, and evidence for integrative therapies including supplements, exercise, yoga, meditation, and writing and theater. There is also discussion about the most evidence based types of psychotherapy. The goal is that at the end of the presentation every person could create an individualized treatment plan for patients who have PTSD, as well as patients who do not meet criteria and are presenting with mood complaints.The pharmaceuticals I discuss include SSRI’s (Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil), SNRI’s (Effexor, Cymbalta), Wellbutrin, mood stabilizers (Lamictal, Abilify, Risperidone), alpha agonists (clonidine, guanfacine, prazosin), and benzodiazepine’s (advise against their use). This presentation could be approved for pharmaceutical credits and this section could be lengthened or shortened.

Humans have evolved alongside bacteria internally and externally for all of humanity. There is a growing interest in understanding and researching the human microbiome and numerous health and disease connections have been made pertaining the health of our internal microbial communities. We explore culture in the microbial sense and culture in the human sense as the two collide when we discuss the processes of fermentation, which is found in every civilization across the globe throughout history. Fermented foods and/or the knowledge to make these items have traveled the globe with human migration sometimes against great odds. In this talk we consider how teaching people to ferment foods and beverages in their own homes may have an impact on creating a healthy kitchen microbiome, and thus may positively impact their health through improved internal microbiomes from the regular production and consumption of fermented foods. We also discuss how these techniques are a way to connect back to our ancestral diets.Encouraging and teaching people/patients/clients how to ferment foods at home may have a positive impact on a broad range of health concerns due to the increased production and consumption of fermented foods, which contain probiotics. Learning these techniques can also be healing for people as it allows them to create autonomy over their food production and foster a connection to non-processed ancestral diets.

Naturopathic physicians working with female cancers strive for “Enhanced survival and quality of life for people living with cancer through the integration of naturopathic oncology into cancer care” (Oncanp vision statement). Natural medicines can meld harmoniously with allopathic therapies to reduce harm and increase the potential benefits. Natural medicines can also follow conventional care to reinforce remissions, rebuild genuine health, and to change the dietary and lifestyle contributors to cancer occurrence. This presentation gives specific therapeutics that will allow any naturopathic doctor to better serve their female patients with cancer.