It’s conference season, and the A4M team is looking forward to marking its official beginning next week. We’re gathering the brightest minds and most innovative voices in modern medicine to deliver four learner-favorite courses all under one roof in the heart of Los Angeles at the L.A. Live complex.
From September 19th to 21st, practitioners nationwide will converge for this highly anticipated event, kicking off the Fall/Winter academic season with a leading-edge educational experience featuring:
The Endocrine Balance and Bio-Identical Hormone Restoration Symposium
Fertility Certification Course
The Future of Pediatric Medicine
Peptide Therapy Certification: Module II
Robust Educational Program At A4M L.A. Symposium
A4M has spearheaded advancements in functional medicine, integrative hormone therapy, and anti-aging specialties for over three decades. The A4M L.A. Symposium’s diverse curriculum continues that legacy, offering the latest research and insights from experts across the health ecosystem.
Designed to benefit practitioners of various specialties, the event provides an unmatched platform for collaborative learning, knowledge-sharing, and impactful networking within the medical community.
While the four distinct course programs offer a wealth of exciting lectures across all three days, we’ve selected five topics that have emerged as particularly relevant in the current landscape.
Top 5 Trending Topics On The L.A. Symposium Agenda
1. Downward Spiral Of Pediatric Mental Health
The mental health of children and adolescents has become an increasingly pressing concern, with recent studies shedding light on unexpected environmental factors that may be contributing to this crisis. From air pollution to chronic inflammation, new research is uncovering complex relationships between external stressors and the developing brain in an attempt to explain the persistently rising rates of youth mental illness.
In a pioneering study, a team of researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder examined the impact of early-life exposure to wildfire smoke and other forms of air pollution on the risk of developing mental illness. Their findings revealed a significant correlation between exposure and the risk of developing depression and anxiety later in life; exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) above EPA standards was linked to higher rates of internalizing symptoms in youth. Notably, the study indicates that PM2.5 may cross the blood-brain barrier, triggering inflammation and cellular damage within the brain, potentially causing long-term damage with effects on cognition and behavior.
Another alarming study reveals a connection between persistent inflammation during childhood and an increased risk of developing severe mental health issues like psychosis and depression in early adulthood. The research, based on data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), found that children with persistently raised inflammation, particularly those with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels peaking around age 9, had the highest risk of depression and psychosis. These results suggest inflammation-targeting interventions in childhood could potentially reduce the risk of developing specific psychiatric disorders later in life.
Learn more about the intricate link between environmental exposures, toxins, inflammation, and the pediatric mental health crisis in the upcoming course, The Future of Pediatric Medicine.
Featured Sessions
The Role of Bacterial Endotoxins and Neuroinflammation in Mental Health Disorders | Pejman Katiraei, D.O.
Helping Kids Thrive in Our Toxic World | Elisa Song, MD
Using Therapeutic Diets and Personalized Nutrition to Improve Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety | Julie Matthews, MS, CNC
2. Hormone Therapy Underused During Menopause
Despite significant advancements in the awareness and understanding of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), recent reports from The Menopause Society reveal a concerning trend: hormone therapy usage rates have remained stagnant and even declined over the past decade. This underutilization persists despite multiple benefits and evidence supporting its use for managing menopause symptoms, indicating a disconnect between clinical guidelines and real-world practice.
A recent study cited by The Menopause Society found that HRT usage rates decreased from 4.6 percent in 2007 to a mere 1.8 percent in 2023. This decline is particularly puzzling in light of the substantial body of research that has demonstrated the high safety and efficacy of hormone therapy for managing menopause symptoms, providing a clearer understanding of its risks and benefits. The initial concerns stemming from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study are believed to have created a lasting impact on both patient and clinician perceptions despite updated clinical guidelines recommending HRT as a first-line therapy for hot flashes and night sweats.
Researchers have identified several barriers to hormone therapy use, including misconceptions, lack of education, and potential anxieties surrounding the modality. The persistence of low usage rates, even among women under 60 with increased symptoms, highlights the need for increased education and awareness among both female patients and their clinicians. These findings make clear that informed, personalized women’s healthcare is needed to facilitate timely and effective symptom management and dispel remaining myths surrounding hormone therapy.
Learn more about weighing the risks and benefits associated with hormone replacement therapy, in particular for the relief of menopause symptoms, and the most current scientific evidence in favor of the treatment during The Endocrine Balance and Bio-Identical Hormone Restoration Symposium.
Featured Sessions
Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone Therapies in Women, Peri-Menopause, and Menopause – Including Cases | Tara Scott MD, FACOG, FAAFM, ABOIM, CNMP
Becoming Menopause Experts: Endocrine Solutions for the Integrative Practitioner | Aimee Duffy, MD
The State of Women’s Health | Erika Schwartz, MD
3. New Fertility Risk Factors Identified
As the field of fertility medicine continues to evolve, researchers are uncovering new and often unexpected factors that may affect reproductive health outcomes. Recent studies have identified two important variables that may increase the need for fertility treatment: asthma and exposure to excessive heat. These findings underscore the interplay between environmental factors, existing health conditions, and fertility outcomes.
A study presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress revealed a significant link between asthma and fertility issues in women. The research found that women with asthma have an increased risk of fetal loss and are more likely to use fertility treatments compared to non-asthmatic women. Notably, the severity of asthma and the frequency of flare-ups correlated with a higher likelihood of needing fertility treatment. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, researchers suggest that systemic inflammation associated with asthma might play a role in fertility problems, potentially affecting reproductive organs.
Another emerging concern is the impact of high heat exposure on both male and female fertility. Understanding these effects becomes increasingly crucial as climate change leads to more frequent and intense heat waves. For women, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can disrupt ovulation, decrease egg quality, and inhibit implantation. In men, excessive heat can reduce sperm quality, increase DNA damage in sperm, and disrupt the temperature-sensitive process of sperm production. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness about environmental factors affecting fertility and potential strategies for mitigation.
Learn more about the plethora of risk factors that threaten both female and male fertility, make it difficult to conceive and for IVF to succeed, and functional solutions during the Fertility Certification Course.
Featured Sessions
Fertility Assessment – Female Patient | Wendy Warner, MD
The Reproductive Microbiome | Jaclyn Smeaton, ND
Fertile over Forty: Fertility in the Older Mother | Jaclyn Smeaton, ND
4. Breakthrough Obesity Drug Retatrutide
The recent surge in popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss has taken the medical world by storm, with drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide making headlines for their impressive results. As this class of medications continues to evolve, a new contender has emerged that promises to push the boundaries of obesity treatment even further. Retatrutide, a novel triple-agonist medication, is now at the forefront of obesity research, offering potential advantages over its predecessors in the GLP-1 family.
Retatrutide, building on the success of GLP-1 agonists, acts as a triple agonist by activating not only the GLP-1 receptor but also the glucagon receptor and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR). This multi-pronged approach has shown remarkable results in clinical trials, demonstrating significant weight loss in individuals with obesity or overweight. A phase 2 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that retatrutide achieved a mean weight reduction of 24.2% after 48 weeks at its highest dose – a level of weight loss approaching that seen with bariatric surgery. These promising results suggest that retatrutide could potentially surpass the efficacy of currently available GLP-1 agonists, offering new hope for those struggling with obesity and its related health complications.
Learn more about the rapid evolution of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss, new potential clinical applications, and the breakthrough potential of retatrutide during Module II of the Peptide Therapy Certification.
Featured Sessions
GLP-1s and the Introduction of Retatrutide | James LaValle, RPh, CCN, MT, CHM, DHPh
A Comprehensive Approach to Regenerative Medicine Combining the Power of PRP, Exosomes, and Peptides to Enhance Clinical Outcomes | Kathleen O’Neil-Smith, MD, FAARM
The Future of Peptides and Small Molecule Therapies | James LaValle, RPh, CCN, MT, CHM, DHPh
5. Male Fertility In Focus
Male fertility has become a growing concern in recent years, with factors ranging from environmental toxins to lifestyle changes impacting reproductive health. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this issue into sharper focus, prompting researchers to investigate the virus’s effects on male fertility. Recent studies have unveiled surprising insights into how stress and viral infections can influence sperm quality and hormone levels.
A meta-analysis examining the impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive health has revealed significant adverse effects on sperm quality and hormone levels. The study found that SARS-CoV-2 can infect cells in the testes, leading to decreased ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, viability, and motility. While treatment partially alleviated some negative effects, the improvements may not fully restore pre-infection levels. The research also noted elevated prolactin levels and marginally higher estrogen levels in COVID-19 patients, highlighting the need for further investigation into long-term effects and potential therapeutic interventions.
Interestingly, another study has shed light on the hidden effects of stress on sperm, revealing that stress-induced changes in sperm motility occur after a stressful event rather than during it. This research suggests that stress boosts sperm motility and performance following difficult times, potentially acting as an evolutionary mechanism to increase birth rates. The study found that stress leads to changes in extracellular vesicles (E.V.s) after the event, enhancing sperm motility and mitochondrial respiration. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding how stress impacts the reproductive process and potentially improves fertility outcomes.
Learn more about the numerous factors that influence male fertility and its prominent, yet often overlooked, role in the infertility dilemma at the Fertility Certification Course.
Featured Sessions
Male Fertility | Paul Turek, MD
Fertility Assessment – Male Patient | Paul Turek, MD
Functional Fertility Assessment | Wendy Warner, MD
We approach the A4M L.A. Symposium with excitement and discernment of the ever-evolving realm of healthcare today. The landscape of modern medicine is undergoing profound changes, demanding our attention and adaptability. From alarming trends in pediatric mental health to the race for the most effective obesity treatments, our event agenda aims to reflect the dynamic nature of medical practice today. Each evidence-based, practitioner-oriented educational program is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and tools to address current and emerging challenges head-on.
For those joining us in Los Angeles, we look forward to hosting you for three full days of cutting-edge education, innovation, and collaboration.
Last-minute planners have only a few seats left to claim; we highly recommend securing your registration now to guarantee your place at the forefront of progress. Click here to explore available courses.
And for those who cannot make it, stay tuned to @redefiningmedicine for live updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses from the event. Look out for our post-symposium blog post summarizing some of the most impactful takeaways and breakthrough concepts presented by our expert speakers on stage.