Naturopathic & Functional Medicine Approaches to Gastrointestinal Disorders - 2024 Term

What You'll Cover in this Course...

Week 1

Module 1 - Probiotics.

Module 2 - Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Microbiome-Nourishing Foods.

We will delve deep into the specialty GI Tools – Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Microbiome-Nourishing Foods We will look at optimal dosing strategies, and how to select the most appropriate probiotics and prebiotics for varying clinical presentations. Understand and learn how to debunk the common myths pertaining to probiotics and prebiotics that may impede their use and result in sub-optimal patient outcomes.

Week 2

Module 3 - The Vital Importance of the Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota.

Module 4 - Dysbiosis - its Causes and Consequences.

We’ll cover the vital functions of the Gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota and learn about the main drivers of dysbiosis in Western nations - including dietary, pharmaceutical, lifestyle and even herbal drivers of bacterial imbalances. The role of dysbiosis as a driver of common chronic diseases including obesity, autism, type two diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease will be covered.

Week 3

Module 5 - Gastrointestinal Microbiota Assessment – An Overview & Critique of the Options

Module 6 – Intestinal Permeability - Testing and Treatment.

Become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of different microbiota assessment technologies and how to dissect test results, including consideration of microbial diversity, and the presence and absence of keystone and potentially pathogenic organisms. Understand the value of leaky gut testing, including the tests that are worth doing and the ones that are not, and explore key treatments and dietary modifications that speed healing of a leaky gut.

Week 4

Module 7 - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Module 8 - Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD).

Explore the causes and natural treatment options for GERD and PUD. Become familiar with effective treatment approaches to the commonly treatment-resistant Helicobactor pylori, so that you can offer patients an alternative option to antibiotic cocktails, plus learn what can be given alongside antibiotics to improve eradication rates.

Week 5

Module 9 - Gluten-related Disorders.

Module 10 - Lactose intolerance.

Module 11 - Fructose intolerance.

Learn about the nuances, differences, and overlaps with these conditions including how to distinguish between gluten sensitivity from celiac disease. Learn the differences between primary and secondary lactose and fructose intolerance and how this crucial distinction changes how they are managed in the clinic.

Week 6

Module 12 - Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

We’ll dig into the limitations and strengths of tests commonly used to diagnose SIBO and discuss the pros and cons of different breath test substrates – Lactulose vs Glucose vs Fructose. Learn about different dietary approaches to SIBO management and their pros and cons and discuss whether they are really keystones in SIBO treatment, as well as how to successfully implement the use of probiotics and prebiotics in SIBO treatment and in remission.

Week 7

Module 13 - Using Herbs to Modulate the Microbiota – Treating Bacterial Infections & Imbalances.

Module 14 - Giardia – Natural and Functional Approaches to Treatment.

Module 15 - Blastocystis & Dientamoeba – Clinical Considerations.

Explore the ways we can use herbal medicines to modulate the microbiota. How we can use them to nurture some keystone GI species and how to use them to effectively target bacterial and protozoal pathogens (doses, duration of treatment required, etc). There will be a particular focus on the use of herbal tools that can selectively modulate the ecosystem.

Week 8

Module 16 - Crohn’s Disease.

Module 17 - Viral Gastroenteritis.

We’ll cover the dietary, lifestyle, and dysbiotic factors that contribute to the development of Crohn’s disease and explore the dietary approaches, herbal medicines and supplements that can be used to help manage the condition. We’ll also cover the key clinical considerations and tools to use when helping patients with viral gastroenteritis.

Week 9

Module 18 - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Module 19 - Ulcerative Colitis (UC).

Learn the pros and cons of different dietary approaches to IBS and what tests to do to properly differentiate IBS from other causes of GI symptoms. We’ll delve into herbal treatments for IBS and detail those that produce the best outcomes in the different subtypes of IBS. We’ll cover the dietary, lifestyle, and dysbiotic factors that contribute to the development of UC and detail the different dietary approaches, herbal medicines, and supplements that can be used to help bring UC into remission and keep it there.

Week 10

Module 20 - Diverticular Disease.

Module 21 - Functional Constipation.

This week we’ll cover the far-reaching consequences of constipation, that go way beyond the gut and detail the important home tests you should be getting every patient to do that inform us about their GI health. Learn the best constipation-fighting foods and supplementary fibers to prescribe, and also what to do when these do not work. We’ll also cover nutritional, herbal, and dietary approaches to diverticular disease - which is arguably the most common GI condition seen in Western populations.