Saturday

Sunday

Angela Cortal, ND

"Degenerative Joint Disease: Interventions for Restoration"

Degenerative conditions affect most adults at some point in their lives. Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is the most common type, affecting up to 25% of the US adult population. Treatments to address chronic joint pain often fall short of full patient satisfaction. If you have had patients express that the standard over-the-counter meds, ice, and heat are not enough, the orthopedist says they are not “bad enough” for further interventions, and you have already tried curcumin and fish oil, you are not alone. We can alter the course of our patients’ degenerative conditions if we can improve their healing and recovery capabilities. Connective tissue regeneration is affected by many systemic processes, not just their musculoskeletal system.

As Naturopathic Doctors, we try to make a preventive impact by “working upstream.” For our patients with osteoarthritis, this approach can include addressing and reversing systemic influences on degeneration pathways. By identifying and improving any related dysfunctions, deficiencies and other imbalances in our patient’s immune system, endocrine system, and more, we can positively alter their connective tissue remodeling processes. For practitioners interested in adding new therapeutic tools to treat joint pain to their practice, Dr. Angela Cortal will share her top go-to evidence-informed methods daily in her office. By working with your patients to uncover and address some of the most common triggers of joint pain and degeneration, you can make a profoundly positive impact on helping your patients move better, feel better, and feel like they are getting back to living their life.

Bio: Dr. Angela Cortal is a Naturopathic Physician who is passionate about improving the lives of her patients with chronic pain. She does this by changing how we approach, investigate, and treat their concerns. She cultivates curiosity, connection, and understanding with each patient’s “pain story,” so that she can best treat their pain conditions using a root-cause approach.

Dr. Cortal graduated from NUNM in 2012 and has been in private clinical practice since. Her clinics are in Portland and Salem, Oregon. She is an active member of the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians (currently on their board of directors) and the AOAPRM, an orthopedic regenerative medicine organization. 

When she’s not seeing patients, speaking, or teaching, Dr. Cortal enjoys gardening, crafting, traveling, and maximizing her quality time with family, friends, her husband, and her two goofy rescue dogs.

Russell Marz, ND, MAcOM

"Fasting, Calorie Restriction and the Ideal Diet"

The roots of naturopathic medicine go back thousands of years and one of the most basic and yet most little understood therapies is fasting. Fasting can be used to treat most any condition and is the most fundamental therapy in our naturopathic medical toolkit. 

This talk will review exactly what happens biochemically during a fast. Both water and juice fasting will be discussed, and a comparison will be made on their therapeutic effectiveness and how to implement both of them. There are many myths and there is much misinformation regarding fasting. This lecture will carefully detail how all naturopathic physicians can use therapeutic fasting in their clinics safely and easily. A detailed discussion of how to manage a patient’s medications and supplements while on a fast. Conditions such as advanced cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions will be presented and how to manage them safely and effectively.

This lecture will review the historic roots of therapeutic fasting and how we can tap into the “healing power of nature”. All mammals, and for that matter microorganisms, have evolved survival mechanisms that tap into their ability to go without calories for significant periods of time. Unfortunately, most humans, especially in industrialized nations have never tapped into this invaluable evolutionary healing mechanism. In our current understanding of disease, we have now begun to comprehend that almost all diseases have a component of inflammation. In fact, virtually all pathologies ranging from cardiovascular disease, to diabetes, to cancer to autoimmune disease have in their etiology a component of chronic inflammation. Nothing is as powerful and without side effects as fasting for its anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

Dr. Marz will discuss his experience using fasting as a therapeutic tool. Recently he spent 2 weeks at the world famous Buchinger Fasting Clinic in Germany where he traveled with a patient with advanced cancer and diabetes. He will share his experience with fasting for 10 days via the Buchinger method and how it compares to other fasting clinics around the world such as "True North" in California where he studied and spent time fasting via their method. Lastly the cessation of the fasti i.e., how to transition from fasting into the “Ideal Diet”. A description of the nature of the Ideal Diet. What makes the diet ideal for health and longevity, i.e., eating foods that will protect against the biggest causes of debilitation and death (heart disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, chronic pain and inflammation.

A discussion of fasting and its effects on aging and how fasting has been shown to be the most powerful therapy for extending lifespan in all organisms and animals.

Bio: Russell B. Marz, received his B.S. in Food and Nutrition in 1979 from BSU in New York. In 1983 he earned his doctorate at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR. Dr. Marz is also a licensed acupuncturist and earned a master’s degree in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture in 1994.

Dr. Marz has taught both basic science and clinical nutrition since 1988 as a professor of nutrition at numerous medical schools. He published his first book in 1992, Medical Nutrition from Marz and the 2nd edition in 1997 & 1999. In 2015, he was inducted into the National College of Naturopathic Medicine Hall of Fame.

Virender Sodhi, MD(Ayurveda), ND

"Rasayana Therapy: Ayurveda's Secret to Longevity"

This lecture serves to introduce learners to the ancient Ayurvedic secret to longevity through Rasayana Therapy. Participants will dive into Ayurveda's holistic approach to health, emphasizing the balance of mind, body, and spirit with the world around us. Additionally, the foundational concepts of the five elements, the three doshas, and their profound impact on our health will be introduced. This lecture will also cover the rich history of Ayurvedic herbalism and learn about key Rasayanas - the elixirs of life known for their rejuvenating properties. Through a mix of traditional wisdom and scientific insights, learners will gain practical knowledge on how these ancient practices can be applied to modern wellness routines for enhanced vitality and longevity.

Bio: Virender Sodhi, ND, MD (Ayurvedic) is an internationally respected Ayurvedic and naturopathic physician who is credited with evolving the understanding of Ayurvedic herbal medicine in the West. Dr. Sodhi became an Ayurvedic doctor in 1980 and worked as Ayurvedic Medical professor until 1986 before becoming the first Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician in the United States in 1988. He is credited with founding Ayush Herbs and bringing Ayurvedic herbs to the United States. His experience with Ayurvedic and Naturopathic medicines has resulted in extensive lecturing worldwide on these subjects and he is the author of Ayurvedic Herbs: The Comprehensive Resource for Ayurvedic Healing Solutions. He currently practices at the Ayurvedic & Naturopathic Medical Clinic in Bellevue, Washington with a focus in Oncology.

Brenden Cochran, ND, FAAO

"Preconditioning the Body for Health Aging with Medical Ozone"

Proactive medicine is a necessity to support any healthy aging strategy. Medical ozone has multiple therapeutic applications that will be discussed as an essential tool precondition the body during an aging process.  We will explore the benefits medical ozone has on multiple body systems including the immune system, antioxidant system, lymphatic system, cardiovascular system and much more. As a multi-dimensional tool medical ozone is truly a homeostatic balancing agent that should strongly be utilized as a safe and effective in any person who is healthy and wishing to remain healthy or suffering from health struggles while aging.

Bio: Dr. Cochran has a passion for education, guidance and outside the box therapies. Dr. Cochran received his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. He founded Interactive Health Clinic, with specialty focuses in functional/biological medicine, pain management therapies, integrative oncology, and healthy aging. He is an expert in his field on therapeutic injections and intravenous therapies. He has served as the medical fellow/director of intravenous therapy at the Bastyr Integrative Oncology Research Center (BIORC), Bastyr University’s cancer research center. Dr. Cochran is well known worldwide as a lecturer with International IV Therapy for Professionals a group that specializes in educating physicians on intravenous nutrient therapy. He is also an instructor of many therapeutic injections and strong passion for ozone/EBOO therapies. He has an active consulting business with H.E.R.O.S and OCBM where he coaches physicians and professionals on optimized systems for best results. As a keynote speaker and content creator, Dr. Cochran is dedicated to empowering doctors to build successful models in outcome-based medicine.

Paul Harch, MD

"Inflammation, Chronic Disease, and Aging:  Effective Treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy"

Hyperbaric and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are the use of greater than atmospheric pressure and breathing gases to treat disease processes. For 362 years the mechanisms of action of this therapy have been unappreciated and misunderstood. Traditionally used for wounds and inflammatory conditions it is now appreciated that the primary effect is on gene expression and suppression. In 2009 HBOT was demonstrated to up- or down-regulate over 8,101 of the 19,000 protein-coding genes in human chromosomes in normal tissue. The largest clusters upregulated were the anti-inflammatory and growth/repair hormone genes. The largest clusters downregulated were the pro-inflammatory and apoptotic genes. Oxygen has been found to largely upregulate genes and barometric pressure downregulate genes. This talk will review the evidence for HBOT’s beneficial effects on inflammation and disease at all stages in the disease process. It will be argued that the accumulation of bodily insults over the course of a lifetime are a constant source of inflammation and thus targets for HBOT. Since inflammation is at the root of chronic disease and aging is accelerated by chronic disease HBOT can be understood as an anti-aging tool for now and the future. In addition, aging appears also to be an epigenetic phenomenon. Vide supra, HBOT is an epigenetic therapy. These points will be argued with the HBOT basic science and clinical literature and by demonstrating the improvements in brain aging in dementia patients at the end of life with the prolongation of life in these patients. Some very personal illustrative case histories will be presented.

Bio: Paul G. Harch, M.D. is a clinical private practice and academic physician who made a discovery in 1989 treating divers with chronic brain decompression illness that he extended to treatment and research of the first HBOT-treated children with cerebral palsy, autism, global developmental delay, genetic disorders, and the first HBOT-treated adults with Alzheimers Disease, TBI, PTSD, and others. This experience culminated in publication of The Oxygen Revolution, now in its 3rd edition, and in 2022 a systematic review of HBOT in mild Traumatic Brain Injury Persistent Postconcussion Syndrome that is Level 1 evidence and a Grade A Practice Recommendation.

Kim Ross, DCN, MS, MBA, CNS, LDN, IFMCP

"Melatonin’s Role for Healthy Aging & Longevity"

It is expected that by 2050, individuals 60 years and older will account for 22% of the world’s population. From the Blue Zones to biohacking, there have been many approaches to living longer and better over the years. Most of these approaches focus on controlling inflammation, enhancing the immune system, and improving our cellular health, particularly the mitochondria.

It has been reported that inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction are some of the mechanisms related to diseases of aging, such as neurodegenerative diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and psychiatric disorders.

Melatonin is found in or produced in almost all tissues and organs of the body. The mitochondria’s unique ability as an antioxidant to produce melatonin based on intracellular needs (endogenous production) and take up melatonin from exogenous sources (food and supplements) makes melatonin a popular compound to research. Melatonin, while often utilized for sleep concerns, is a remarkable, versatile compound that is well-researched for its antioxidant, free radical scavenger, and anti-inflammatory properties.

In this presentation, Dr. Kim Ross will discuss the interplay between melatonin and the mitochondria and how melatonin can aid in healthy aging.

Bio: Dr. Kim Ross is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN), Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), Licensed Dietician Nutritionist (LDN), and Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP).

Dr. Ross has been in clinical practice (Ross Nutrition Team) since 2010, specializing in hormonal, mental, and gastrointestinal health, though she and her team nutritionists work with a broad range of health conditions. In 2017, she became a Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) pre-approved supervisor for aspiring CNSÒ candidates, ensuring they meet the rigorous competencies required to receive this nationally recognized credential.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Ross serves as the Director of Scientific Communications for Symphony Natural Health. She is a Board Member and content contributor for Symphony Natural Health Institute, a non-profit organization providing education to healthcare professionals on topics including neuroendocrine health, and research on melatonin and maca. She serves as an Adjunct Faculty member for the Master’s in Science of Clinical Nutrition program at Sonoran University of Health Sciences.

In recent years, she has passionately pursued the completion of multiple publications on amino acid therapy and psychobiotics for mental health and maca for women’s hormone health.

Lyn Patrick, ND

"Anti-Aging Revisited: How Toxicants Play a Role in Chronic Degenerative Disease – A Problem/Solution Approach"

Chronic degenerative disease is the most powerful determinant of aging, disease, and mortality. “Anti-aging” strategies need to focus on the true causes of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and autoimmunity. The toxicant exposure and body burden perspective can shine a very bright light on all of these chronic conditions and understanding which toxicants are involved, how to test for their presence and interpret lab results related to toxicant exposure as well as how to address both current exposures and the chronic accumulation that makes up the total body burden, is crucial in intervening in what is a growing problem of both lowered life expectancy in the Western World and chronic disease that contributes to both aging and loss of quality of life.

Bio: Lyn Patrick, ND, graduated from Bastyr University in 1984 with a doctorate in naturopathic medicine and has been in private practice in Arizona and Colorado for 35 years. She is a published author of numerous articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, a past Contributing Editor for Alternative Medicine Review, and recently authored a chapter in the newly released textbook Clinical Environmental Medicine (Elsevier 2019). She speaks internationally on environmental medicine, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, endocrine disruption, metal toxicology and other topics. She is currently Faculty for the Metabolic Medicine Institute Fellowship in collaboration with George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is also a founding partner and presenter at the Environmental Health Symposium, an annual international environmental medicine conference based in the United States. After the passing of her longtime colleague Dr. Walter Crinnion she is continuing to educate primary care providers in the area of environmental medicine through the EMEI Global platform and the EMEI Review podcast. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, hiking and kayaking the mountains, lakes, and rivers of southwestern Colorado.