2026 Conference: Unraveling Neuroinflammation: From Gut to Brain and Beyond (self study) Price: $275.00 Status: Available
Unraveling Neuroinflammation: From Gut to Brain and Beyond
Join us for an inspiring and dynamic gathering of Naturopathic Doctors and allied healthcare professionals at this year’s annual CNDA Conference, where the theme is Unraveling Neuroinflammation: From Gut to Brain, and Beyond. Dive into cutting-edge research, innovative therapies, and practical insights designed to transform your practice and help your patients thrive with optimal health and vitality.
This year’s program highlights exciting advancements in managing the most complex neurological and systemic inflammatory conditions. We focus on decoding the mechanisms that drive chronic disease, from the intricate interplay of the Gut-Brain Axis to the critical role of Environmental Toxicology and Metabolic Dysfunction.
Explore topics ranging from integrative strategies for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, the use of genomic data to personalize treatment for stress and insulin resistance, to advanced protocols for eliminating heavy metals and mycotoxins that fuel neuroinflammation. You will gain practical tools to interpret complex GI diagnostics, identify the autoimmune drivers of IBS, and understand how hormonal shifts during menopause impact neurological health.
Whether you’re passionate about mastering next-generation diagnostics, intrigued by the genetic and toxicological mechanisms behind neurodegeneration, or eager to integrate evidence-based protocols to resolve chronic systemic inflammation, this conference offers everything you need to advance your expertise.
Connect with thought leaders in naturopathic medicine and collaborate with colleagues who share your commitment to advancing personalized, root-cause medicine. With expert-led sessions on wearable technologies in PD management, comprehensive detoxification protocols, and advanced microbiome strategies, this is your chance to elevate your knowledge and make a lasting impact.
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Bradley Bush, ND
PART 1 - Functional Breath Test Interpretations: Advanced Strategies for Diagnosing SIBO
and Sugar Malabsorption
Enhance your ability to interpret breath test data and deliver targeted interventions for
complex digestive disorders. This session offers a functional framework for analyzing
hydrogen and methane breath tests used in SIBO and carbohydrate malabsorption
(lactose, fructose, sucrose). Learn to identify and interpret six atypical test patterns
peaks, and atypical colon patterns—while integrating symptom timing, gas dynamics,
and motility to improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Review diagnostic standards for SIBO and sugar malabsorption using glucose,
lactulose, lactose, fructose, and sucrose breath tests.
2. Identify and interpret atypical breath test patterns and their implications for
microbial balance, motility, and digestion.
3. Differentiate between malabsorption and dysbiosis-related gas production.
4. Understand how functional interpretations can guide more personalized
treatment strategies, including antimicrobial, dietary, and motility-based
interventions.
5. Apply an integrated approach to breath test interpretation that incorporates both
standard diagnostics and advanced pattern recognition.
PART 2: Brain-Gut Insights: SIBO, Gut Motility, and Sustained Brain Support
Despite growing awareness of SIBO and gut-brain interactions, many practitioners lack
training in interpreting atypical breath tests or recognizing motility disorders driven by
neurotransmitter and histamine imbalances. Additionally, few treatment protocols
address the root cause of dysmotility from a neurochemical or genomic perspective.
This session fulfills a critical educational need by connecting breath test interpretation
with integrative therapeutic strategies and personalized medicine.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Interpret classic and atypical breath test results in the context of SIBO and gut
motility dysfunction.
2. Differentiate gastroparesis from enteric nervous system-related motility disorders
and recognize contributing neurochemical imbalances.
3. Identify genetic polymorphisms (e.g., MTHFR, SLC6A4) that influence serotonin
metabolism and enteric nervous system function.
4. Explain the role of high-histamine states, including MCAS, in promoting or
aggravating motility disorders.
5. Implement targeted nutritional and sustained-release interventions (e.g., L-
Theanine, 5-MTHF, 5-HTP) to optimize serotonin activity and gut-brain axis
health.
Biography:
Bradley Bush, ND, is a naturopathic doctor who graduated from NCNM (now National
University of Naturopathic Medicine) in Portland, OR. He is the owner and Clinic
Director of Natural Medicine of Stillwater and the breath testing lab, Neurovanna, both
based in Stillwater, MN. Additionally, Dr. Bradley is Chief Medical Officer for the
Endurance Products Company (Tulatin, OR). Dr. Bush specializes in gastrointestinal
health, mood disorders, neuro-endocrine conditions, insomnia, infections, and
autoimmune diseases. Residing in Stillwater with his naturopathic doctor wife and four
daughters, he enjoys cooking and gardening in his free time.
Heather Zwickey, PhD
PART 1: From Microbiome to Mind: Immunity and the Gut-Brain Axis
Emerging research demonstrates that the gut microbiome, immune system, and
nervous system are deeply interconnected, shaping not only digestive health but also
mood, cognition, and resilience to stress. This presentation will explore the dynamic
crosstalk between microbes and immune signaling pathways, highlighting how these
interactions influence brain function and contribute to conditions such as anxiety,
depression, and neuroinflammation. We will examine pre, pro, and postbiotics as
strategies that naturopathic physicians can use to optimize gut and immune health as a
foundation for mental well-being. By integrating microbiome science into clinical
practice, naturopathic physicians can expand their therapeutic toolkit and address the
root causes of disorders that bridge body and mind.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Describe the bidirectional communication pathways of the gut-brain axis and the
role of immune signaling in mediating these interactions.
2. Identify clinical conditions in which dysregulation of the
microbiome–immune–brain axis contributes to patient presentations, including
mood disorders and neuroinflammation.
3. Evaluate evidence-based naturopathic interventions—such as nutrition,
botanicals, probiotics, and lifestyle strategies—that influence microbiome and
immune function.
4. Apply integrative, patient-centered approaches that support gut and immune
health as a foundation for improving mental and emotional well-being in clinical
practice.
PART 2: Nutritional Strategies for Modulating the Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson’s Disease
New insights reveal that gut microbes, immune function, and diet are intimately
connected to the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. This session will
explore the role of gut-brain interactions in neurodegeneration, highlighting how
microbial metabolites, inflammation, and barrier integrity may influence motor and non-
motor symptoms. We will review nutritional strategies that may modulate the gut-brain
axis and support neuronal health. Naturopathic physicians will gain insights into how
integrative, nutrition-focused approaches can complement conventional therapies to
improve quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Describe the role of the gut-brain axis in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s
disease.
2. Identify nutritional and microbiome-related factors that may contribute to
Parkinson’s progression and symptom expression.
3. Evaluate evidence-based dietary and probiotic interventions that influence
neuroinflammation and gut-brain communication.
4. Apply integrative nutrition strategies within naturopathic practice to support
patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Biography:
Heather Zwickey, PhD, is recognized internationally as an expert and educator in the
fields of integrative medicine, natural therapies and the immune system. Dr. Zwickey
has been leading natural medicine research for 20 years. She has a Ph.D. in
immunology and microbiology from the University of Colorado and completed her
postdoc at Yale School of Medicine. Heather is on three NIH-funded research grants
and has more than 100 publications. Heather speaks at conferences world-wide,
sharing her enthusiasm for integrative medicine and science. She’s won many awards
for teaching and currently teaches at the National University of Natural Medicine. Dr.
Zwickey’s research focuses on Parkinson’s disease, nutrition, neuroinflammation, the
microbiome, and the gut-brain axis. Dr. Zwickey is currently the Vice President of
Research and Academic Excellence and Chief Academic Officer at the National
University of Natural Medicine.
Manna Semby, ND
PART 1: Early vs. Late-Onset Alzheimer’s in Women: Risk & Recognition
This presentation offers a deep dive into the multifactorial landscape of Alzheimer's
disease (AD), beginning with a clear clinical distinction between early-onset (<65) and
late-onset forms and exploring the genetic and clinical reasons behind the
disproportionately higher risk observed in women. The core focus is on clinical
recognition, detailing the comparative utility of advanced diagnostics, including blood-
based biomarkers, CSF analysis, and PET/MRI, to highlight testing that truly changes
management. We will then provide comprehensive, stage-specific clinical toolkits for
both early and late disease, emphasizing how testing and timing inform targeted care.
Special attention is given to early-stage management, covering multidomain treatment
plans, the critical nuance of menopause/HRT, and the complexities of integrating anti-
amyloid therapies.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Differentiate early- vs late-onset Alzheimer’s in women using genetics,
phenotype, risk, and course.
2. Understand the subtypes of dementia and the importance of early detection and
intervention.
3. Understand the new blood based biomarkers as well as other tests and
screenings for dementia.
4. Understand multidomain clinical care.
5. Understand the importance of pace of treatment & improvement.
PART 2: The Brain-Risk Burden: How Drugs & Supplements Affect Cognition via the
Gut–Brain–Metabolism Axis
Cognition is influenced by more than plaques and tangles—it’s shaped daily by medications, supplements, sleep, heart health, metabolism, and the microbiome. This practical session equips naturopathic clinicians with a Brain-Risk Burden (BRB) framework to identify and reduce agents that impair attention, memory, and mood in patients with MCI and Alzheimer’s. We’ll start with anticholinergics and then move to benzodiazepines/Z-drugs, antipsychotics, TCAs/SSRIs, opioids, corticosteroids, antihypertensives, and high impact OTCs (diphenhydramine, meclizine).
Goals and Objectives:
1. Identify high-risk medications and supplements affecting cognition in older
adults.
2. Differentiate how common drug/supp classes impact the gut–brain–metabolism
axis and connect those effects to cognitive decline.
3. Discuss a stepwise deprescribing/optimization approach (what to taper first, how
fast, safer swaps, what to monitor).
4. Coordinate brain-safe care using ND-aligned supports to reduce dose pressure
on risky meds.
Biography:
Dr. Manna Semby is passionate about midlife women and their quality of life—because midlife is the inflection point for brain health. It’s when hormones shift, risks accelerate, and the window for meaningful prevention is wide open. A former Goldman Sachs vice president, Dr. Manna brings a rigorous, analytical process to care: clarify the goal, map the variables, test the levers, measure the outcome.
Her work spans optimizing wellness for pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal women and advancing a practical framework she calls the Brain-Risk Burden—the combined impact of medications, supplements, sleep, metabolism, and the gut–brain axis on cognition. She translates complex science into clear, doable plans that help women live fully and think clearly for decades to come.
Dr. Manna is a graduate of Bastyr University, San Diego, and a Menopause Society, IFM, and ReCODE 2.0 Certified Practitioner. Her mission is simple and bold: help women prevent dementia.
Amy Rolfsen, ND
Part 1: On Fire: ADHD Through the Lens of Neuroinflammation
This talk explores the mounting evidence connecting neuroinflammatory processes with the
pathophysiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While traditionally
conceptualized as a purely genetic or neurotransmitter-based disorder, ADHD is increasingly
understood as a condition shaped by immune dysregulation, gut-brain axis disturbances, and
early life environmental exposures.
Dr. Amy Rolfsen will guide attendees through emerging research on cytokine signaling,
microglial activation, and gut-derived immune triggers in ADHD. The session will also touch on
laboratory markers, functional testing, and clinical patterns that suggest inflammatory
underpinnings—and discuss practical therapeutic strategies to help regulate the neuroimmune
interface in both pediatric and adult ADHD presentations.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Describe how neuroinflammatory mechanisms—including microglial priming and
cytokine signaling—contribute to the pathophysiology of ADHD.
2. Identify clinical patterns, lab markers, and history clues that may suggest immune system
involvement in ADHD presentations.
3. Outline the relationship between gut inflammation, intestinal permeability, and
neurodevelopmental symptoms.
4. Consider the role of environmental triggers (e.g., infection, allergens, toxins) in shaping
neuroimmune reactivity in ADHD.
5. Apply integrative strategies to modulate neuroinflammation, including lifestyle,
botanical, and nutritional interventions.
Part 2: Neurodivergence and the Immune System: Connecting Inflammation to Cognition and
Behaviour
From autism spectrum presentations to obsessive-compulsive behaviors and complex tic
disorders, many neurodivergent conditions show evidence of neuroinflammatory involvement. In
this pre-recorded presentation, Dr. Amy Rolfsen synthesizes the current literature on immune
system dysregulation across various neurodivergent profiles, with a focus on pediatric
populations.
The talk addresses how neuroinflammation can amplify rigidity, aggression, sensory sensitivity,
and executive dysfunction—and how common drivers like gut dysbiosis, food proteins, or latent
infections can contribute to flares in neuropsychiatric symptoms. This session offers clinicians
practical tools for identifying immune-inflammatory patterns and implementing supportive care.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Differentiate between neuroinflammatory presentations and purely behavioral
neurodivergence.
2. Recognize immune-mediated exacerbations in conditions like autism, OCD, and
PANS/PANDAS.
3. Understand the overlap between intestinal dysbiosis, mast cell activation, and behavioral
regression.
4. Identify clinical red flags and lab findings suggestive of immune system involvement.
5. Develop a framework for neuroimmune support in children with complex
neuropsychiatric presentations.
Biography:
Dr. Amy Rolfsen is a naturopathic physician with a clinical and consulting practice focused on
neuroimmunology, gut-immune dysfunction, and complex inflammatory conditions affecting
cognition, mood, and behaviour. Her work centers on individuals experiencing neurodivergent
presentations—such as ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, OCD, and tics—often accompanied
by gastrointestinal symptoms, immune dysregulation, or environmentally triggered flares.
In addition to clinical care, Dr. Rolfsen provides peer consultation for clinicians working through
complex cases involving functional testing and integrative protocols. She also contributes to
ongoing education and research initiatives exploring the gut-brain-immune axis.
With a practical, systems-based lens, she helps clinicians recognize immune and inflammatory
drivers behind neuropsychiatric symptoms—translating emerging science into meaningful
strategies for care.
Manna Semby, ND
Early vs. Late-Onset Alzheimer’s in Women: Risk & Recognition
This presentation offers a deep dive into the multifactorial landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD), beginning with a clear clinical distinction between early-onset (<65) and late-onset forms and exploring the genetic and clinical reasons behind the disproportionately higher risk observed in women. The core focus is on clinical recognition, detailing the comparative utility of advanced diagnostics, including blood-based biomarkers, CSF analysis, and PET/MRI, to highlight testing that truly changes management. We will then provide comprehensive, stage-specific clinical toolkits for both early and late disease, emphasizing how testing and timing inform targeted care. Special attention is given to early-stage management, covering multidomain treatment plans, the critical nuance of menopause/HRT, and the complexities of integrating anti-amyloid therapies.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Differentiate early- vs late-onset Alzheimer’s in women using genetics, phenotype, risk, and
course.
2. Understand the subtypes of dementia and the importance of early detection and intervention
3. Understand new blood based biomarkers as well as other tests and screenings for dementia.
4. Understand multidomain clinical care
5. Understand importance of pace of treatment & improvement
Part 2: The Brain-Risk Burden: How Drugs; Supplements Affect Cognition via the
Gut–Brain–Metabolism Axis
Cognition is influenced by more than plaques and tangles—it’s shaped daily by medications,
supplements, sleep, heart health, metabolism, and the microbiome. This practical session equips
naturopathic clinicians with a Brain-Risk Burden (BRB) framework to identify and reduce agents that
impair attention, memory, and mood in patients with MCI and Alzheimer’s.
We’ll start with anticholinergics and then move to benzodiazepines/Z-drugs, antipsychotics,
TCAs/SSRIs, opioids, corticosteroids, antihypertensives, and high-impact OTCs (diphenhydramine,
meclizine).
Goals and Objectives:
1. Identify high-risk medications and supplements affecting cognition in older adults
2. Differentiate how common drug/supp classes impact the gut–brain–metabolism axis and connect those
effects to cognitive decline
3. Discuss a stepwise deprescribing/optimization approach (what to taper first, how fast, safer swaps, what to
monitor)
4. Coordinate brain-safe care using ND-aligned supports to reduce dose pressure on risky meds.
Biography:
Dr. Manna Semby is passionate about midlife women and their quality of life—because midlife is the
inflection point for brain health. It’s when hormones shift, risks accelerate, and the window for
meaningful prevention is wide open. A former Goldman Sachs vice president, Dr. Manna brings a
rigorous, analytical process to care: clarify the goal, map the variables, test the levers, measure the
outcome.
Her work spans optimizing wellness for pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal women and advancing a
practical framework she calls the Brain-Risk Burden—the combined impact of medications, supplements,
sleep, metabolism, and the gut–brain axis on cognition. She translates complex science into clear, doable
plans that help women live fully and think clearly for decades to come.
Dr. Manna is a graduate of Bastyr University, San Diego, and a Menopause Society, IFM, and ReCODE
2.0 Certified Practitioner. Her mission is simple and bold: help women prevent dementia.
Penny Kendall Reed, ND
Part 1: Insulin Resistance or Genetic Resistance? Altering genes to modify insulin pathways.
Insulin resistance is estimated to affect 40% of individuals worldwide. The CDC
estimates that a staggering 84% of cases remain undiagnosed. Factors contributing to
these numbers include poor diet, lack of exercise and environmental toxicity. However,
the most important yet least-recognized contributor is systemic inflammation.
It is estimated that 80% of all major human diseases are mediated by inflammation and
while there are numerous pathways leading to this pathology, the one proving to be
overwhelmingly important is chronic stress and the associated dysfunction of the HPA
axis. The connection between inflammation, sleep deprivation, insulin resistance and
metabolic syndrome can no longer be ignored. We must address all sides of the stress-
sleep-inflammation-insulin resistance equation to successfully treat our patients.
Treating this successfully requires a far deeper understanding of the specific individual
genetic factors. For example, our genetics dictate which of us release higher amounts
of glucocorticoid for each which can then drop our metabolic efficiency from 92% to
35% independent of diet and exercise. Similarly, it is our genes that control the levels of
inflammatory cytokines we produce, altering GLUT4 transportation, impairing insulin
signaling and inhibiting UCP1-directed thermogenesis.
In this lecture I will review the genes involved in the above pathways. I will demonstrate,
using diet, lifestyle changes and natural supplementation how to alter gene expression,
reset the central nervous system, re-balance metabolism and reduce inflammatory load.
Goals and Objectives:
. Understand the connection between high cortisol, high inflammation, sleep
deprivation and insulin resistance, and how this is more powerful than what we
eat.
Learn how balancing leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin can reverse insulin
resistance more so than reducing carbohydrates and increasing protein.
Learn which SNPs are involved in the GLP-1 regulation, stress response,
inflammation, sleep and our metabolic hormones and how to treat them naturally.
Comparative, integrative genetic case studies will be presented to illustrate the
value of genetics in identifying the root causes of insulin resistance and how to
treat those cases using natural supplementation, diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
Part 2: Cognitive Health: Mental deterioration or just brain fog: a genetics-based approach to diagnosis and management.
We all experience brain fog and decreased concentration from time to time and for
some it can feel like early stages of mental deterioration. It is well documented that 50%
of the information presented to people is forgotten one hour later. Similarly, the average
attention span has dropped from 32 to 20 minutes over the past 20 years as a result of
our fast-paced, information-bombarded lifestyles. But when is poor memory and
decreased mental ability a concern? Is it the result of age-related chronic stress and
inflammation, or is it something more sinister like dementia or Alzheimer’s? Making this
distinction and designing an appropriate treatment protocol formerly relied on clinical
evaluation of symptoms and examination. However, over the past few years, the
introduction of genetic analysis has allowed for an in-depth, individualized assessment
of neural, hormonal and inflammatory risk factors, vital to managing this condition.
There is a great deal of overlap between the many causes of brain fog; and the
pathology of dementia including hormonal dysfunction, chronic stress, lack of sleep,
inflammation, and aging. However, the main differentiating factors are alterations in
neural tissue, the degree of cognitive impairment and the association with emotional
lability. In this lecture I will review how to differentiate between simple mental clouding
and cognitive decline. You will learn the main variables that affect memory,
concentration and processing and how genetic analysis can improve your diagnostic
accuracy and treatment. You will gain knowledge of the SNPs that affect sensitivity to
numerous factors that predispose an individual to brain fog and mental deterioration.
Finally, you will learn how to mitigate causative variables, maximize brain health and
slow the aging of neural pathways. Several case studies with illustrative genetics will be
used to demonstrate how to differentiate between different types of cognitive
dysfunction and its varying causes such that correct therapeutics may be employed.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Learn the major differentiating variables that distinguish brain fog and
decreased focus from disease processes such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
2. Learn which genetic SNPs have a major impact on the initiation and progression
of mental decline and how to interpret and treat them using natural
supplementation, diet and lifestyle variables.
3. Several case studies will be presented showing how genetics allows us to more
accurately identify the root cause of the multiple variables that contribute to brain
fog and neural decline and how to best treat them to protect and stimulate a
healthy brain as we age.
Biography:
Dr. Penny Kendall-Reed, N.D., is a naturopathic doctor in Toronto. After graduating from McGill University in Neurobiology, she earned a degree in Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, where she received the Dr. Allen Tyler Award for Most Outstanding Clinician. Dr. Kendall-Reed is the author of six national best-selling books, including the most recently released book, “Fix Your Genes to Fit Your Jeans,” which she co-authored with her husband, Dr. Stephen Reed. She was voted Naturopath of the Year in 2013, and in 2018 received the “Top Naturopathic Doctor” award in Canada. Dr. Kendall-Reed is the creator of the integrated genetic platform GeneRx.ca. She analyzes and interprets genetic profiles to design personalized health programs for patients worldwide. She is a medical consultant for Pure Encapsulations®, is on the board of Pure Genomics and is the medical director of Natural Therapies at The Urban Wellness PKRHealth Clinic.
Joshua Farahnik, ND
Part 1: Environmental Toxicities and Neuro-inflammation and Degeneration – Part 1
This presentation explores the critical role of environmental toxicants—specifically heavy metals, mold mycotoxins, and chemical pollutants—in driving neuroinflammation and the progression of neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease. We will examine the biochemical mechanisms by which these exposures disrupt neurological health, focusing on oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, glial activation, and alpha-synuclein aggregation. The session provides a deep dive into specific culprits, including lead and mercury, indoor mold exposure, pesticides like paraquat, and emerging threats such as microplastics and PFAS. Attendees will learn to navigate clinical markers and testing options, from heavy metal panels to mycotoxin and VOC assays, to better identify toxic burdens in patients. Finally, we will synthesize how these diverse exposures converge on common pathways to explain the unique vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons and highlight strategies for early detection.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Understand the main type of toxins/toxicants and their impacts
2. Learn how these insults cause neurologic stress
3. Determine which testing is appropriate
Part 2: Environmental Toxicities and Neuro-inflammation and Degeneration – Part 2
This presentation will focus on the practical clinical implementation of detoxification and clearance strategies for environmental toxicants in patients with neurologic conditions. We will begin by reviewing the foundational supports for the body's key clearance organs—the liver, kidneys, and gut —emphasizing the importance of nutritional and lifestyle supports like hydration, fiber, and sauna therapy. The core of the presentation details specific, tiered protocols for clearing heavy metals (including chelation vs. non-chelation options) and managing mycotoxin exposure (environmental remediation, binders like cholestyramine, and mucosal repair). Finally, attendees will learn strategies for minimizing and clearing common chemical toxicants and endocrine disruptors, ensuring safe, effective patient-specific protocols that are coordinated with comprehensive monitoring of neurological function and biomarkers.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Identify the key foundations of how the body detoxifies
2. Understand conventional vs integrative treatment options for each type of toxin/toxicant
3. Build appropriate treatment plans and re-testing options for each type of toxin/toxicant
Dr. Joshua Farahnik (pronounced like the first names "Farrah" and "Nick") is a Naturopathic Doctor and clinical researcher specializing in complex chronic conditions with an emphasis on gut, brain and environment. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, and after living in New York, San Francisco, and Seattle, he now splits his time between CA and WA, where his practice focuses on the management of Parkinsons Disease, with a sub-specialization in Environmental Medicine. Dr. Farahnik completed naturopathic medical school at Bastyr University, and he has been working alongside Dr. Laurie Mischley in clinical and research capacities since 2018. He also holds a Masters of Public Health (with a focus in epidemiology and biostatistics) at the University of Washington and is currently working on a PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition.
Laurie MIschley, ND, PhD, MPH
Part 1: Parkinson's in Primary Care: The Role of Diet, Supplements, Sleep, Money, Friends, and Exercise
This session highlights lifestyle factors shown to influence Parkinson’s progression,
based on insights from the long-running, Modifiable Variables in Parkinsonism (MVP)
Study hosted at Bastyr University. Attendees will learn how diet, supplements, sleep,
exercise, social connection, and even financial stability appear to be influencing
outcomes, and how NDs can integrate these findings into practical, everyday primary
care.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Identify the key lifestyle and environmental factors linked to faster and slower Parkinson’s
progression.
2. Recommend evidence-supported dietary strategies that improve symptoms and quality of
life.
3. Integrate targeted supplements using pragmatic dosing and safety considerations.
4. Counsel patients on non-dietary modifiers of disease course, including sleep, exercise, social
connection, and financial stress.
5. Use simple patient-reported measures to track progression, set goals, and guide personalized
care.
Part 2: Lab Tests and Wearables in Parkinson’s Disease Management
This session focuses on the lab tests and wearable technologies most useful in understanding and
managing Parkinson’s from a naturopathic, whole-person perspective. We will review patterns
commonly seen in blood, urine, and hair, including nutritional, metabolic, and environmental
contributors that often go unaddressed in conventional care. Attendees will also learn how
monitoring sleep, heart rate variability, and mobility sensors can support clinical decision-
making, improve adherence, and help patients monitor their own progress outside the clinic.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Identify and screen for mineral deficiencies, metabolic perturbations, and environmental
toxicants commonly seen in people with Parkinson’s.
2. Use bioimpedance tools to assess muscle mass, hydration status, and bone
composition as part of routine primary care monitoring.
3. Select and integrate wearables that support patient safety, mobility tracking, sleep
assessment, HRV monitoring, and other clinically meaningful data collection.
4. Incorporate practical in-office screening tools, such as smell testing, simple muscle-
strength measures, and HRV coaching, into everyday practice.
5. Recognize the impact of older-adult digital literacy on access to care and tailor
recommendations for labs, wearables, and technology use accordingly.
Steven Sandberg-Lewis, ND
Part 1: Identifying and Resolving Autoimmune IBS - Long-Term Resolution for Challenging Patients
This presentation will discuss how to treat the autoimmune etiology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition often misdiagnosed as typical post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS). Approximately one out of ten cases of food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea can trigger this autoimmune response, making it a common presentation in your practice. We will explore the normal physiology of the enteric nervous system and how the antibodies to Cytolethal Distending Toxin B (Cdt-B) and vinculin disrupt this function. The presentation will cover the clinical picture of PI-IBS, the interpretation of key diagnostic testing, and a successful Biomedical and Naturopathic treatment protocol I have developed over the last decade. Understanding this distinct mechanism is crucial for achieving long-term resolution in these challenging patients.
Goals and Objectives:
i. Participants will develop a working knowledge of enteric physiology and its
relationship to proper digestion and assimilation.
ii. Attendees will appreciate the role of neuro-inflammation in the pathogenesis of PI-
IBS.
iii. Attendees will be able to use their knowledge of enteric histology to understand the
pathophysiology of PI-IBS.
iv. Participants will appreciate mechanisms by which nutrition, prescription medicines
and botanicals may be used to address the pathophysiology and clinical picture of
PI-IBS.
v. Participants will use their knowledge of PI-IBS mechanisms to create individualized
treatments for patients.
Part 2: Gastroparesis and Neurogastric Dysfunction
Gastroparesis is a delayed gastric emptying disorder characterized by symptoms like epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. It is frequently seen in patients with Type I and II diabetes, but can also be caused by specific medications or traumatic brain injury. This presentation will first review the fundamental principles of gastric motility including contraction, retropulsion, gastric emptying, and the regulating influence of GI hormones such as Cholecystokinin, Secretin, and GLP-1. We will then explore the pathophysiology and specific etiologies that lead to this impaired function. Finally, a comprehensive segment will detail the management of gastroparesis, integrating biomedical strategies like prescription prokinetics with dietary changes, botanical interventions, and treatments targeting hypochlorhydria.
Goals and Objectives:
1.Participants will develop a working knowledge of enteric physiology and its
relationship to proper digestion and assimilation.
2.Attendees will appreciate the role of neuro-inflammation in the pathogenesis of PI-
IBS.
3.Attendees will be able to use their knowledge of enteric histology to understand the
pathophysiology of PI-IBS.
4.Participants will appreciate mechanisms by which nutrition, prescription medicines
and botanicals may be used to address the pathophysiology and clinical picture of PI-
IBS.
5.Participants will use their knowledge of PI-IBS mechanisms to create individualized
