Presenter

Beyond Neurotransmitters: Functional Medicine Tools for Positive Mood

Presented by: Peter Bongiorno, ND, LAc⁺

Join us for a practical, evidence-based discussion on the biological foundations of mood. Presented by leading naturopathic physician and mental health expert Dr. Peter Bongiorno, this webinar will explore how neurotransmitters, the immune system, vagal tone and hormone balance interact to influence emotional wellbeing. Dr. Bongiorno will review effective first-visit intake strategies, discuss key lab tests, debunk common myths and share evidence-based interventions to support positive mood.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the physiology of mood
• Discover effective strategies for first-visit intake and optimal testing
• Learn how to implement natural interventions to address underlying factors and support positive mood

Cracking the Code: Strategies for Metabolic Health and Resilience

Presented by: Angela D. Mazza, DO, ABAARM, FAAMFM, ECN⁺

Metabolic health lays the foundation for many components of overall health — including blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular function and cognitive well-being. In this webinar, functional medicine practitioners will gain a systems-based understanding of the underlying impacts upon metabolic health, including changes to insulin sensitivity, immune activation, mitochondrial function and hormonal balance. We’ll explore personalized clinical strategies for early detection and sustainable lifestyle optimizations. Attendees will walk away with practical tools, up-to-date research and a root-cause framework that addresses metabolic health concerns and supports long-term resilience in their patients.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key drivers of metabolic health outcomes.
• Apply a root-cause, systems-biology approach to assess and address metabolic health in clinical practice.
• Integrate evidence-based nutritional, lifestyle and supplement strategies to promote optimal health and support long-term metabolic health.
• Utilize functional lab testing and biomarkers to personalize care plans and monitor progress in at-risk patients and patients with altered metabolic profiles.

Finally Calm: Functional & Nutritional Medicine for Occasional Anxiety

Presented by: James Greenblatt, MD⁺

Occasional anxiety is the most common mental health concern in the world, yet mainstream approaches are associated with mixed outcomes. The good news is that better is possible in the here and now.

This webinar covers evidence-based functional medicine strategies to promote healthy brain function, digestion and sleep in patients with occasional anxiety. These strategies focus on essential micronutrients, probiotics and key nutraceuticals. Recommendations for testing and supplementation will be presented, providing clinicians with an expanded therapeutic toolkit and patients a new path to sustained wellness.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how essential micronutrients impact neurotransmitter synthesis and brain function
2. Identify physical and psychiatric characteristics of low magnesium
3. Discover why zinc and B₆ are important for mental health^‡
4. Identify the biologic mechanisms through which ashwagandha supports calm and relaxation^‡

It’s A Gut Feeling: The Gut-Brain Axis

Presented by: Peter Bongiorno, ND, LAc⁺

The digestive tract, often called the 'second brain’, is crucial for mental health. Join Dr. Peter Bongiorno as he explains the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract and its connection to the central nervous system, focusing on the vagus nerve. He discusses how food, stress, movement and nature affect the vagus nerve, intestinal environment and microbiota, leading to changes in brain function and mood. Clinical insights from over two decades of practice will be shared to help your patients make optimal lifestyle, dietary and supplement choices to support a healthy mood and gut-brain axis.^‡

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the main anatomical structures involved in the gut-brain relationship and the function of the vagus nerve (Cranial nerve X)
2. Identify useful lab tests for gastrointestinal-related mental health conditions
3. Learn about gut bacteria metabolites and their role in gut-brain communication
4. Explain how diet, lifestyle and supplements can be used to support mood via the gut-brain axis^‡

Optimizing Brain Energy: Solutions for Mental Fatigue & Focus

Presented by: Amy Doyle, MS, CNS⁺

Mental fatigue and reduced ability to focus are among the most common concerns patients report, affecting productivity, decision-making and long-term cognitive health. Research indicates nearly 30% of adults experience mental fatigue, with impacts on executive function and attention.¹ This webinar will provide an evidence-based framework involving diet, lifestyle and supplement strategies to address these concerns.

Learning Objectives:

• The role of acetylcholine and the cholinergic system in attention, learning and cognitive resilience^‡
• The relationship between mental fatigue, neurotransmission, and cognitive and physical performance
• Targeted dietary, lifestyle and supplement strategies to support mental alertness enhance focus and overall brain health

Gastrointestinal Self-Tissue Response: Is the Microbiome to Blame?

Presented by: Nathan Morris, MD⁺

Gastrointestinal self-tissue response is often managed with immune modulation primarily focused on balancing cytokines. These interventions can be enormously helpful, but are we overlooking other critical underlying root causes? In this webinar, Dr. Nathan Morris will share his clinical experiences and effective strategies for addressing GI self-tissue response while exploring the critical role of the gut microbiome and its impact on immune system responses. This webinar challenges existing paradigms and promotes a deeper understanding of GI self-tissue response, encouraging participants to consider approaches that may enhance patient outcomes.^‡

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the underlying mechanism of GI self-tissue response and the immune system’s contributions.
• Examine how the microbiome influences the immune system within the GI tract.
• Explore how testing can guide strategies that address microbiome and immune system balance.
• Discover interventions, including lifestyle changes and supplements that support immune system regulation in the GI tract.^‡

An Integrative Approach to Modulating Self-Tissue Response in Joints

Presented by: Felice Gersh, MD⁺

Self-tissue response in joints affects 1 in 200 adults globally, predominantly women.^1,2 This condition mainly targets joints, but can also impact other organs, which has the potential to impact quality of life. Early intervention can often make integrative methods the main approach for self-tissue response in joints.

While conventional therapies offer new management possibilities, they are most effective when combined with integrative modalities.

This presentation will cover key manifestations, clinical markers and drivers of self-tissue response, offering integrative strategies to manage the condition while improving quality of life and health span.

Join us to learn how to implement effective integrative approaches for self-tissue response in joints and improve patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the key manifestations, contributing factors, and systemic impacts of self-tissue response in joints.
• Discuss conventional therapeutic management of self-tissue response in joints.
• Review a comprehensive, integrative approach for managing self-tissue response in joints to help improve patient outcomes.

Autophagy vs. Inflammasome Assembly: A Key Leverage Point in Functional Medicine Cases

Presented by: Sam Yanuck, DC⁺

Autophagy is the process by which cells repair themselves. Bone marrow stem cells depend on it, as do all white blood cell types and brain cells. Many patients have altered autophagy, and for most of them, it’s a key reason they don’t improve. Inflammasome assembly generates cytokines that alter autophagy. In this webinar, functional immunology thought leader, Dr. Sam Yanuck, will teach you to recognize and address altered autophagy and its impact on metabolism, immunology, thyroid function, energy, cognition and a host of other clinical factors you see in practice every day.

You’ll come away with knowledge of the following key objectives:

1. Understand autophagy and its impact on mitochondrial and thyroid function, self-tissue response and other crucial determinants of health.
2. Understand the mechanisms by which autophagy becomes altered and how to identify factors in a case that contribute to those changes.
3. Understand the clinical approach to supporting autophagy and how that approach fits into the broader picture of case management.