(Part 1)
Marking the official commencement of the Fall/Winter 2024 conference season, the A4M September Symposium in Los Angeles, CA, gathered the brightest minds and influential voices in functional, anti-aging medicine. From September 19-21, eager practitioners converged at the buzzing L.A. Live complex, ready to immerse themselves in four of A4M’s most sought-after courses:
The Endocrine Balance and Bio-Identical Hormone Restoration Symposium
Fertility Certification Course
The Future of Pediatric Medicine
Peptide Therapy Certification: Module II
Three full days of cutting-edge education encompassed 85+ hours of impactful sessions across these courses, diving into pioneering ideas and clinical strategies. This extensive learning opportunity allowed attendees to explore a diverse curriculum offering the latest research-based practical strategies and clinical insights from A4M’s exclusive faculty of specialty experts, researchers, and renowned educators. The LA Symposium provided a platform for collaborative learning, discovery, industry connections, and innovative solutions for practice enhancement.
A4M LA Symposium Insights Boxed and Delivered
Four diverse learning pathways brought together hundreds of passionate healthcare providers to learn from experts, network, and update their knowledge. For those who couldn’t join us in Los Angeles, our team has distilled some of the most impactful takeaways from the Symposium, delivering them directly to your practice.
High-Impact Takeaways for Your Practice
Here is your first delivery of digestible and actionable learning fresh from the heart of Los Angeles to wherever you are.
Endocrine Balance and Bio-Identical Hormone Restoration Symposium
Optimizing Hormone Levels and Therapeutic Approaches for Weight Management
“Hormones and Their Effects on Weight Loss” – James LaValle, RPh, CCN, MT
James LaValle, a renowned expert in metabolic and integrative medicine, delivered a timely presentation on the intricate relationship between hormones and weight management. His lecture shed light on how hormonal imbalances can significantly impact weight loss efforts and offered integrative strategies for addressing these issues as well as ensuring sustainable weight loss results for long-term wellness.
Lecture Takeaways
• Hormonal imbalances can significantly impede weight loss efforts, often leading to patient frustration, failed attempts, and potentially even dangerous dietary habits.
• The “adrenal-thyroid-gonadal” axis is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight.
• Addressing underlying hormonal issues as a root cause often results in more sustainable weight loss.
• Novel hormone-based interventions, such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, are proving remarkably effective in inducing weight loss. However, careful prescription and close monitoring are essential to avoid potential side effects and ensure long-term success.
• The gut microbiome plays a significant role in hormone regulation and weight management, emphasizing the need for a whole-person approach to care.
Practical Pearls
• Test key hormones in patients struggling with weight, making sure to assess:
Cortisol (ideally a 4-point salivary test)
Thyroid panel (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3)
Estrogen and progesterone in women
Testosterone in both men and women
• Address hormonal imbalances:
Stress reduction techniques should be recommended for cortisol and thyroid dysfunction, and adaptogenic herbs such as Rhodiola should be considered 500mg daily.
Consider supplementation with zinc and iron if deficient.
Consider DIM (diindolylmethane) for female hormone balance to support healthy estrogen metabolism.
For male hormone balancing, aim to support testosterone production with fenugreek seed extract 600mg daily.
• Incorporate Amarasate, the natural alternative to GLP-1 agonists, when required.
Derived as an extract from New Zealand bitter hops, Amarasate is a GLP-1 activator that can be used as an adjunct with GLP-1 RAs to transition patients off GLP-1 RAs or as the primary compound in weight loss support alongside lifestyle modifications.
Are you interested in learning more about functional weight management protocols and breakthrough weight loss interventions?
Here’s your next opportunity: Clinical Weight Management Certification Program
October 24-25, 2024 | Boston, MA
Gain top-of-the-line training and practical skills to level up patient weight outcomes, helping them achieve lasting results. This new course positions practitioners at the helm of the metabolic dysfunction epidemic, equipping them to provide unrivaled care. As some of the first certified experts in clinical weight management, course graduates depart with a competitive advantage that makes them standout providers for patients focused on achieving sustainable, long-term weight outcomes.
Click here to discover more details.
The Future of Pediatric Medicine
Setting Children Up For Success With Microbiome Eubiosis
“Microbiome in Pediatric Health” – Sabine Hazan, MD
Dr. Sabine Hazan, a renowned gastroenterology physician and scientist, delivered her insights on the pediatric microbiome and its critical role in overall pediatric health, including immune function and mental wellness. Dr. Hazan highlighted bifidobacteria as one of the key players in infant and child development, providing a wealth of practical insights for pediatric healthcare providers.
Lecture Takeaways
• Bifidobacteria levels fluctuate with age and health status; bifidobacteria levels are typically high in newborns but decrease as children get older. This natural decline can be accelerated or exacerbated by various factors, including diet, antibiotics, and environmental exposures.
• Low bifidobacteria levels have been associated with various conditions, including autism and Crohn’s disease. The potential implications of bifidobacteria deficiency are far-ranging and long-lasting.
• Overall, microbiome diversity strongly correlates with general health status. Diversity tends to increase with age in healthy individuals but can also be compromised by various factors.
Practical Pearls
• Test for bifidobacteria levels, especially in children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, inflammatory bowel conditions, metabolic disorders, and potentially even cancer.
• Dietary interventions to support microbiome health include the concept of “refloralization,” or restoring an optimal microbiome balance, which involves multiple steps:
Identify problematic bacteria through comprehensive testing
Use targeted interventions to reduce harmful bacteria
Repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria, focusing on bifidobacteria
Combine dietary changes, targeted antimicrobials (when necessary), and probiotic supplementation
• To increase bifidobacteria levels:
Consider vitamin C supplementation
Recommended dosage: 250-500mg daily for children, adjusting based on age and weight
Implement strain-specific probiotic therapy based on individual microbiome analysis
Focus on bifidobacteria strains, particularly for pediatric patients
Consider combination probiotics that include multiple bifidobacteria strains
Start with a low dose and gradually increase to avoid potential side effects
Bovine IgG supplementation may also help increase levels of bifidobacteria
Start with 2g daily for children, adjusting based on response and tolerance
Monitor for improvements in gut symptoms and overall health markers
• Retest microbiome every 3-6 months during active treatment, then annually for maintenance.
Peptide Therapy Certification: Module II
Exploring The Healing Potential of Neural Therapy
“Introduction To Neural Therapy” – Marisol Duque, MD
An acclaimed expert surgeon specializing in regenerative medicine, Dr. Marisol Duque introduced neural therapy to Peptide Certification candidates as a powerful bio-regulatory treatment approach, offering new insights into addressing chronic pain and other health dysfunctions. Dr. Duque presented neural therapy as a method for both treating acute conditions and optimizing overall health by leveraging the body’s innate capacity for self-regulation and healing.
Lecture Takeaways
• Neural therapy aims to trigger a positive whole-system response and restore the autonomic nervous system’s function through the injection of low-concentration local anesthetics (e.g., procaine and lidocaine) into specific points to address underlying irritations.
• These specific nervous system points are called interference fields and are used both for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.
• The therapy’s historical roots trace back to acupuncture and early uses of local anesthetics.
• The efficacy of neural therapy is based on the interconnected relationships of cells via the extracellular matrix (ECM), the fascial system, and the principle of neural plasticity. Here, the ECM’s role as a communication network between various bodily systems is highlighted, with disruptions potentially leading to immune dysfunction.
• The core principle is to address the underlying disturbances to the electromechanical or electromagnetic functions of tissues caused by trauma, infection, or surgery.
Practical Pearls
• Clinical applications of neural therapy extend beyond the treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions.
• Neural therapy can effectively treat inflammatory responses, poor circulation, chronic disease comorbidity caused by interference field interruptions, motor system dysfunction, sports injuries, and more.
• Avoid use in patients with advanced infections, liver cirrhosis, or allergies to local anesthetics.
• Use caution in patients on anticoagulation medication.
• Be aware of the potential for a “Lightning Reaction” – an instant and sometimes permanent resolution of chronic issues.
Interested in learning more about this emerging therapeutic approach for whole-body wellness?
Join Dr. Duque and leading educators in this field at the upcoming Neural Therapy Peptide Masterclass on December 12, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV. Participants will gain a comprehensive introduction to neural therapy, discover how to integrate this non-invasive treatment modality into practice and learn how to enhance patient outcomes through synergistic use with peptides.
Click here to explore workshop details.
Fertility Certification Course
An Important Yet Overlooked Factor In The Fertility Equation
“The Reproductive Microbiome” – Jaclyn Smeaton, ND
Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton, the nation’s leading specialist in fertility and reproductive health and program chair of the Fertility Certification Course, presented cutting-edge considerations into the crucial role of bodily microbiomes in various aspects of reproductive health, from conception to pregnancy outcomes. Dr. Smeaton’s presentation highlighted the complex interplay between microbial communities in the reproductive tract and fertility, offering practical strategies for clinicians to leverage this knowledge in patient care.
Lecture Takeaways
• The uterus is NOT sterile. Furthermore, the uterine microbiome plays a crucial role in implantation and pregnancy outcomes.
• The placental microbiome is most similar to the oral microbiome.
• A healthy vaginal microbiome is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, which help maintain an acidic pH and protect against pathogens.
• Microbiome dysbiosis can contribute to various reproductive health issues, including infertility, preterm birth, and pregnancy complications.
• Probiotic interventions can significantly improve reproductive outcomes, particularly in assisted reproductive technologies.
Practical Pearls
• Screen for vaginal dysbiosis in patients with fertility issues. Look for Lactobacillus dominance, particularly L. crispatus, as a marker of a healthy vaginal microbiome.
• Probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus strains, especially L. crispatus, is recommended.
• Conduct vaginal microbiome testing before embryo transfer in IVF patients.
• Consider treating endometrial dysbiosis in cases of recurrent implantation failure or miscarriage.
• Implement a vaginal probiotic protocol before frozen embryo transfer to reduce miscarriage risk and support vaginal health.
• Address oral health to support a healthy placental microbiome.
• Educate patients on the connection between oral health and placental microbiome; recommend good oral hygiene practices to support a healthy pregnancy.
• Recognize the impact of the seminal microbiome on sperm quality and fertility outcomes; assess and address dysbiosis in male partners as part of fertility treatment.
From state-of-the-art hormone treatment protocols to forward-thinking methodologies in functional pediatric medicine, the A4M L.A Symposium exemplified a model of care that seamlessly blends the best of conventional and integrative strategies.
These select lecture takeaways offer a glimpse into each course’s progressive and all-encompassing curriculum, representing only a fraction of the wealth of wisdom imparted to attendees. Better yet, they are just the first part of our two-part Symposium To-Go series. Stay tuned for a second installment with even more groundbreaking clinical pearls that will be delivered to your inbox next week.
With the inaugural Women’s Health Summit underway this weekend in San Antonio, TX, and the must-attend Boston October Symposium on the horizon, momentum is building towards a record-shattering LongevityFest 2024.
This is just the beginning of a pivotal chapter in healthcare innovation poised to unfold throughout the remainder of 2024.