Integrative Approaches to Gut Health: Bridging Nutrition and Immunity

Credit

Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Leigh Frame, PhD, MHS Related seminars and products

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Leigh A. Frame, PhD, MHS, is the co-founder, associate director, and research director of the Resiliency & Well-Being Center; the executive director of the Office of Integrative Medicine and Health; and an associate professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She has a passion for understanding the gut-brain axis and is a nutrition and microbiome consultant. Through her extensive experience in biomedical research and education, Dr. Frame has developed a unique expertise bridging nutrition and immunity. Her interests include the role of the microbiome and nutrition in well-being (especially the gut-brain axis), the impact of malnutrition in obesity, the immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D, research ethics, science communication, resiliency, and whole-person well-being. Her multidimensional knowledge and inquisitive approach yield valuable insight into the complexities of health.

Dr. Frame earned her PhD in human nutrition from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she also received a Master of Health Science in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. Additionally, she graduated with distinction in Biochemistry from Mary Baldwin College (now University). Her tenure at the Johns Hopkins Center for Bariatric Surgery further honed her skills and knowledge, contributing to her comprehensive understanding of health and nutrition.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Leigh Frame has employment relationships with the George Washington University Office of Integrative Medicine and Health, the George Washington University, Other Cultures, LLC, and the Office of Integrative Medicine and Health. She is a co‑founder of the GW Resiliency & Well‑Being Center and Recondite Consulting. Dr. Frame is the founding scientist and a stockholder of Good Bacteria. She serves as a medical and scientific advisor for Everlast Health, is a scientist panel member with the GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute, and acts as a consultant for Evimero, People Brand Co., Access Integrative Medicine Health Institute, and Haleon PLC. She was previously a consultant for Asystem, Inc. and has received grant funding from PatchMD. Dr. Frame receives speaking honoraria and recording royalties from PESI, Inc.
Non-financial: Dr. Leigh Frame serves as a scientific advisory board member for People Brand Co., and Scaled Microbiomics. She is an Ad hoc reviewer and editor for several peer review journals, for a complete list contact PESI, Inc. Dr. Frame is a member of the American Society for Nutrition, The Obesity Society, American Society for Microbiology, American Nutrition Association, and the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health.

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Target Audience

• Nurses
• NPs
• PAs
• DOs
• MDs
• CNS

Objectives

1. Analyze the relationship between diet and the microbiota-gut-brain-immune interface.
2. Distinguish potential interventions to support the microbiota-gut-brain-immune interface.
3. Apply these finding to developing a person-centered plan that you partner with your patient to fit into their life.

Outline

Module 1: The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis

1. Overview of the Microbiome
   • Definition and composition of the gut microbiome
   • Role in health and disease
   • Bidirectional communication between the gut and brain
2. Brain to Gut Microbiota Communication
   • Vagus nerve and its role
   • Effects of dysbiosis on the brain and body
   • Inflammatory responses and parasympathetic activation
3. Gut to Brain Communication
   • Signal transmitters (SCFAs, bile acids, tryptophan metabolites)
   • Signal receivers (EECs, ECCs, immune system)
   • Impact on brain function and behavior

Introduction to Nutrition and the Microbiome

1. Diet and Microbiota Composition
   • Short-term vs. long-term dietary changes
   • Diverse diets and microbiota diversity
2. Macronutrients and Microbiota
   • Impact of fats and proteins on gut health
   • Healthy vs. unhealthy fats
3. Prebiotics and Probiotics
   • Definitions and examples
   • Benefits and mechanisms of action
   • Variable responses to supplementation

Immune System and the Gut

1. Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT)
   • Structure and function
   • Interaction with the microbiome
2. Immune Responses and Inflammation
   • Role of gut microbiota in immune modulation
   • Mechanisms of inflammation and immune activation
3. Impact of Dysbiosis on Immunity
   • Links to autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation
   • Examples of specific conditions (IBD, IBS, allergies)

Integrative Approaches to Gut Health

1. Lifestyle Interventions
   • Importance of regular physical activity
   • Stress management techniques (e.g., mindfulness, meditation)
2. Dietary Strategies
   • Whole foods and plant-centric diets
   • Specific dietary patterns (e.g., Mediterranean diet)
3. Therapeutic Interventions
   • Use of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics
   • Potential of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)
   • Emerging therapies and future research directions

Module 2: Deep Dive on Nutrition & the Gut Microbiome

Bioavailability in Nutrition

• Key Concepts
  • Digestion
  • Bioaccessibility
  • Absorption
  • Transformation and Activation

Diet and Gut Microbiota Connection

• Impact of Diet
  • Source and fuel for microbiota
  • Influence on microbiota composition
  • Short-term vs. long-term diet changes

Macronutrients and Gut Microbiota

• Carbohydrates and Fiber
  • Fiber and SCFA production
  • FODMAPs and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Fat and Protein
  • Impact of high-fat and high-protein diets
  • Types of fats and their effects

Micronutrients and the Microbiome

• Key Micronutrients
  • Vitamin A, B, C, D, K
  • Iron and Zinc
  • Polyphenols and their health effects