Upon completion of this module, the participants will:

• Learn new treatment modalities for multiple sclerosis, stroke recovery, Parkinson's disease, ALS, and Alzheimer's disease
• Evaluate the energy producing ability of the mitochondria and their role in revitalizing neurological tissue
• Learn factors associated with intestinal permeability
• Discuss the consequences of inflammation on the neurological system
• Look at the role endocytic receptors, scavenger receptors, and RAGEs has on the inflammatory response
• Understand the importance of the gastrointestinal tract's role in the immune system
• Understand the crucial role that neurotransmitters have in the body and how they impact various organ systems
• Learn the many reasons why patients have a difficult time losing weight and keeping it off
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the GI tract and neurotransmitter function
• Evaluate the role of diet and antibiotics in the management of gastrointestinal dysfunction
• Demonstrate the unique biochemistry of individual patients and examine the ramifications of nutrition, medications, and stress on the immune system during the first years of life
• Explain the gastro-intestinal system's interface with the environment
• Discuss the role of nutrition and digestion in the balancing the gut flora, as well as the role of nutrition in gastrointestinal disease
• Identify the symptoms and diseases associated with yeast overgrowth
• Learn the causes of yeast overgrowth
• Be knowledgeable about the treatments of yeast overgrowth
• Know the symptoms associated with dysbiosis
• Recognize signs of poor digestion
• Know the causes of dysbiosis
• Learn the common conditions associated with leaky gut syndrome
• Learn the 4R program
• Determine the common signs and symptoms of low gastric acidity
• Know the diseases associated with low gastric acidity
• Learn the protocol for HCL acid supplementation
• Realize the symptoms and diseases associated with food allergy
• Ascertain the symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency
• Learn how to replace bile salts
• Determine the symptoms of bile salts deficiency
• Know the causes of gas and bloating
• Learn the causes of heartburn
• Find out new treatments for hiatal hernia
• Learn the causes of chronic diarrhea
• Learn the treatment of chronic diarrhea
• Learn the causes and treatment of hemorrhoids
• Look at the risk factors for IBS
• Learn the treatment for inflammatory bowel disorders
• Realize the symptoms of acute and chronic gallbladder problems
• Find out how to treat gallbladder disease
• Know the incidence of celiac disease
• Understand the increased mortality associated with celiac disease
• Understand the changes that occur in the bowel with celiac disease
• Learn testing methods to evaluate if a patient has celiac disease
• Discover the false positives and false negatives that can occur with antibody testing for celiac disease
• Recognize the reasons for false positive results that can occur with biopsy when evaluating a patient for celiac disease
• Learn about dermatitis herpetiformis
• Know the extraintestinal manifestations that can occur with celiac disease besides dermatitis herpetiformis
• Learn treatment methods for all forms of celiac disease
• Recognize other autoimmune diseases that are associated with celiac disease
• Know the differential diagnosis for celiac disease
• Know the definition of probiotics
• Recognize that gastrointestinal and vaginal flora change with age
• Learn the mechanism of action of probiotics
• Know which bacteria that occur in the gastrointestinal tract that are friendly and which are pathogens
• Learn about bacteriocins
• Learn the desirable characteristics of an effective probiotic
• Recognize what foods can be used as probiotics
• Understand the beneficial effects of normal gut flora
• Learn which disease processes can be treated with probiotics
• Learn the differential diagnosis of irritable bowel disease
• Learn treatment modalities for irritable bowel disease
• Understand what an allergy elimination diet is and be able use this treatment modality with a patient
• Learn the role of probiotics in the treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• Know the definition of prebiotics
• Understand the criteria to be a prebiotic
• Review the medical literature on the use of prebiotics
• Learn food sources of prebiotics
• Recognize prebiotic substances and the organisms they work on
• Understand that protozoan infections of the gastrointestinal tract may be the cause of unrecognized systemic illnesses
• Learn conventional and natural therapies for parasitic infections
• Know the role that neurotransmitters play in weight loss
• Recognize the importance of hormonal balance in weight loss
• Understand that the ingestion of foods that the patient is allergic to can cause weight gain
• Recognize the role that sleep deprivation plays in weight issues
• Understand that the body's ability to effectively detoxify also plays a role in weight gain
• Learn that weight gain creates an inflammatory response in the body
• Know the chemistry behind why some foods are addicting
• Review the scientific literature on nutrients that can aid in weight loss
• Know the role that yeast overgrowth plays in weight gain
• Have an understanding of basic neurochemistry as it relates to mood and cognition
• Recognize common neurotransmitter balances and how to diagnose them
• Discuss the major neurotransmitters in brain function and their understood roles in behavior and in neurological disorders
• Understand the function of receptors for these substances and factors which impact their regulation
• Discuss the metabolism of these substances within the body, including the precursors and substrates necessary for function in the nervous system as well as how they are metabolized in the body
• Understand the limitations of measurement of the neurotransmitters and the role that the blood brain barrier plays in controlling access of substrates and cofactors to the brain
• Recognize circumstances where functional imaging techniques may aid in diagnosis and therapy of conditions related to neurotransmitter dysfunction
• Recognize some of the many interactions of neurotransmitters with hormonal function and dysfunction
• Recognize the parameters within the Functional Medicine Matrix that would indicate the need for attention to neurotransmitter function and identify common antecedents, triggers and mediators when an imbalance or dysfunction is suspected
• Learn metabolic and anti-aging treatment options to improve mood and cognition