Session 1 - Investigating the Impacts of Polyphenols and Dietary Fibre on the Microbiome and Functional Gut Health with Dr Elizabeth Steels
When looking for signs of dis-ease, the question of bowel habits is a clinically important. Functional constipation affects over 25% of the population and beyond physically influencing gastrointestinal structure, it also disrupts the microbiome, increases the risk of SIBO, and compromises toxin elimination. These collective consequences influence inflammatory pathways and influence metabolic and mental health.
This session will be based on results from a clinical study of a specific combination of polyphenols and prebiotic fibre for promoting healthy bowel habits, stool consistency and restoring gastrointestinal microbial health in those with functional constipation. Individual case studies from this clinical study will be reviewed to highlight how different dietary behaviours influence gastrointestinal function and tailored treatment strategies to restore digestive function.
Elizabeth will identify the benefits of specific polyphenols and prebiotics on the microbiome, detail levels of insoluble and soluble fibres required for clinical outcomes and demonstrate polyphenol and prebiotic fibre regimes for encouraging healthy body weight and supporting the microbiome. Specific types and doses of prebiotics necessary for individuals with a diet low in vegetable and fruit fibre will be discussed, alongside clinical tools and tips to optimise health outcomes.
Session 2 - The Abnormal Bowel with Dr Shala Rasouli
Shala will provide thorough background information on tissue changes and cellular disturbances including polyps and other serious gastrointestinal diseases. Identifying causes, risk factors and complications as well as investigating genetic vs non-genetic cases, and the pros and cons of screening techniques. Specifics such as Lynch syndrome will be explored, to identify its possible links and causes and why it is so important to know about this condition.
In this practical and clinically relevant session, Shala will discuss interpreting pathology reports and scans to better understand the patient’s presentation and how to engage patients with whole food diets and nutrition to reduce their risk. Case studies will be shared to demonstrate how certain approaches can be employed to support bowel health and immune function in patients with polyps or a previous history of colorectal cancer. Clinical resources to use for additional information and investigations will be discussed to provide a comprehensive guide to support the treatment of complex and serious gastrointestinal disorders.
Accumulating evidence supports a causal role for the human gut microbiome in obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and numerous other conditions. Eran will present research on the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, ultimately aimed at developing personalised medicine approaches that combine human genetics, microbiome, and nutrition.
In one project, they tackled the subject of personalisation of human nutrition, using a cohort of over 1,000 people in which we measured blood glucose response to >50,000 meals, lifestyle, medical and food frequency questionnaires, blood tests, genetics, and gut microbiome. Research showed that blood glucose responses to meals greatly vary between people even when consuming identical foods; devised the first algorithm for accurately predicting personalized glucose responses to food based on clinical and microbiome data; and showed that personalised diets based on our algorithm successfully balanced blood glucose levels in prediabetic individuals.
Eran will present several other projects in which we unravelled how the microbiome may be manipulated to alter circulating metabolite levels for improving health and how alterations to the microbiome may serve as treatment to diseases such as atopic dermatitis.
Our understanding of the gut microbiome has grown from glimpses of a great diversity to awe at the complex self-organisation of this inner universe and its power to affect us. Our knowledge base is still scanty, but we are learning ways to sustain our ‘gut-wide-web’, much like how the organic farmer sustains healthy soil. In particular, we have evolved our treatment plans through probiotics to prebiotics, and perhaps most interestingly to ‘postbiotics’.
In this presentation, Simon will show how plants, herbs and spices provide unique tools for this work. For example, how they may engage with host-microbiota conversations and affect bile dynamics, both of which fundamentally influence microbiome behaviour.
It is likely that our age-old remedies have always helped manage the microbiome. Their rediscovery and redirection could transform the future of herbal medicine and natural therapy.
Session 5 - Diet, Dysbiosis, Diabetes and Dementia with Dr Gary Deed
As the microbiome research progresses, how do these advances impact our understanding and treatment of metabolic and neurological conditions? In this presentation, Gary will explore emerging evidence for the complex interplay between the host, genetics, diet and microbiome resulting in the epidemics of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and neuropsychiatric degenerative disorders, particularly dementia. Strategies to identify risks and the evidence for targeted metabolic and psychobiotic interventions will be discussed.
with Amina Eastham-Hillier, Ross McLaren and Craig Wainwright
Experienced practitioners Amina, Chevonne and Craig will share their differential perspectives and clinical approaches for complex and challenging gastrointestinal conditions. During this expert case study series, they will discuss their investigations, clinical processes and therapeutic interventions to successfully treat complicated digestive disorders.
Abnormal gastrointestinal function is the new norm being fed by the consequences of modern life. Poor diet, stress, entrenched dysbiosis, drug side effects and a compromised intestinal barrier are all contributing to this silent pandemic. In this presentation, Kerry will explore the current research on two allied gut disorders: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), highlighting studies confirming their interdependence on the above factors. Corrective herbal and nutritional strategies will be outlined, underpinned by some new evidence and options, including modified versions of the bowel flora protocol. Some recent insights regarding the overlap of SIBO and IBS will be shared.
Kerry will discuss emerging predisposing and aetiological factors for IBS and SIBO, how dysbiosis and leaky gut contribute to central sensitisation and clinical evidence for herbs and nutrients in the management of these conditions and the approach of functional herbal therapy.