Humans, like all other living organisms, are subject to daily cyclical changes and have over time developed an endogenous circadian clock that controls all relevant aspects of our physiology. Circadian rhythms coordinate all biological processes and control systemic homeostasis by synchronizing cellular biochemical reactions and tissue function.
A master clock within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) orchestrates the diurnal oscillation of multiple peripheral tissue clocks. While the SCN is entrained by light, the peripheral clocks are entrained mainly by food and hormones such as cortisol.
A growing body of evidence shows that the microbiome has circadian rhythmicity governed by the host and in turn, microbes contribute to the maintenance of the host circadian clock function. Stressors such as altered sleep and eating patterns may disturb the host circadian system and also influence the gut microbiome leading to changes in gut microbiota composition that accompany several sleep disorders and pathologies with comorbid sleep disturbances.
As such, diet, sleep and stress are major factors that we can modulate to harness these biological rhythms.
In this seminar, our presenters will review the current evidence associating gut microbiota with factors that impact the host circadian-metabolic axis, such as light/dark cycles, sleep/wake cycles, and stress response.
They will provide you with clinically relevant herbal and nutritional solutions to modulate the microbiome, enhance sleep, and promote resilience in order to entrain circadian clocks.
Sessions
Session 1: Harmonising Biological Rhythms to Regulate Sleep and Stress Cycles with Laurence Katsaras
Session 1: Harmonising Biological Rhythms to Regulate Sleep and Stress Cycles with Laurence Katsaras
In recent times there has been a significant increase in the occurrence of sleep problems, with over 40% of Australian adults reporting poor sleep since the beginning of the pandemic.1 The Australian Government has recognised inadequate sleep as an emerging health concern and has included it as a part of the 2021-2030 National Preventative Health Strategy.2 There is not only the potential for increased psychological distress to impact sleep, but also the increased use of technology and irregular sleep routines.
The modern world is disruptive to the many natural cycles that occur within the human body. These cycles are particularly sensitive to food and hormones such as cortisol. One such cycle is the circadian system, which co-ordinates all biological processes. Through circadian entrainment, central aspects within these cycles can be aligned to promote restorative sleep and increased resilience.
In this presentation, Laurence will discuss the latest research on circadian entrainment and provide guidelines to identify driving factors and clinical presentations of circadian system disruption.
Topics discussed in this presentation include:
- The role of cortisol as a stress and circadian signal
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the neurobiology of peripheral oscillators/circadian systems
- The pivotal role of the microbiome within biological rhythms
- Latest understanding of key nutrients, herbs, and lifestyle interventions in circadian entrainment including the modulation of the microbiome, supporting resilience, and restorative sleep.
Session 2: Manipulating the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis: A Vital New Strategy for Better Brain and Mental Health with Professor Kerry Bone
Session 2: Manipulating the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis: A Vital New Strategy for Better Brain and Mental Health with Professor Kerry Bone
Our understanding of the connections between the gut, the brain and mental well-being is becoming ever stronger. The growing perspective is that maintaining good gut health is indispensable for vital brain functions, including how we process feelings of anxiety, sadness and stress.
The gut produces more hormones and neuroactive chemicals than anywhere else, with strong bidirectional neural connections. But we now also understand the strong impact of gut-centred inflammatory pressures on mental illness and the health of the brain. ‘Gut feelings’ are now a mainstream interest, and new terms such as ‘nutritional psychiatry’, ‘moody gut’ and ‘psychobiotics’ pervade the medical journals!
In this presentation, Kerry updates these insights from a largely herbal perspective.
Topics you will learn about include:
- A re-examination of the many elements of the gut-brain axis
- Faecal transplant as proof of principle for a strong microbiome-gut-brain connection
- The role of bacterial metabolites such as SCFAs, secondary bile acids, LPS and the influence of herbs, fibre and probiotics on these
- Gut-induced neuroinflammation as a significant contributor to brain and mental health problem
- How gut wall herbal activity reaches the brain
- The benefits of the crosstalk between phytochemicals and gut flora
Speakers
Professor Kerry Bone
BSc (Hons), DipPhyto, FNIMH, FNHAA, MCPP, FANTA
Professor Kerry Bone is the co-founder and innovation driver at MediHerb, where he serves as Director of Research and Development. He regularly lectures in Australia and overseas and is a prolific author, with six published herbal medicine texts and over 40 scientific papers on herbal research, including original research and systematic reviews. His new seventh book on Functional Herbal Therapy has been published this year. As a recognition of his research role, in 2016 MediHerb was awarded the American Botanical Council’s (ABC’s) Varro E. Tyler Award for excellence in Phytomedicinal (Herbal) Research.
In 2015 Kerry’s lifelong contribution to the field of herbal therapy was recognised with his receiving the prestigious Lady Cilento award from the complementary medicine industry in Australia. Kerry still maintains a busy herbal and naturopathic practice in Toowoomba Queensland where he has been in continuous service for 36 years.
Laurence Katsaras
BHsc(Nat) Adv.Dip(ClassHM) AdvDip(Nutr)
Laurence is the part of the Education team at Integria Healthcare. He is a Naturopath and classically trained Herbalist with 19 years’ experience in the natural medicine industry as a clinician, researcher and educator, and is currently completing a Masters of Acupuncture. His passion lies in leveraging emerging technical and research concepts to create engaging presentations that produce digestible and practical takeaways, which can be implemented in clinical practice.
During his 14 years as a speaker, Laurence has had the pleasure of working alongside renowned local and international key opinion leaders in the Naturopathic and Functional Medicine industry and enjoys sharing the collective insights he has learned to help practitioners achieve the best health outcomes for their patients.
Investment
Practitioners: $49.00 Students: $29.00
Duration: 3 Hours
Note: All registrations and payments are handled directly by Integria Healthcare in Australian Dollars (AUD).
CPE Points
This event is recognised for 3 contact learning hours. Check with your association for details.