Saturday

Sunday

Nafysa Parpia, ND

"Detoxification Strategies for Heavy Metals"

This patient base typically includes individuals with concurrent diagnoses of chronic Tick-Borne Illness, Mold/Mycotoxin Illness, multiple chronic infections, high environmental toxin load including metals with resulting diagnoses such CFS/ME, Fibromyalgia, Autoimmunity, Post infectious illnesses. There are a variety of insults to their body and whole being that contribute to immune dysregulation and inflammation. Very often a high metal load is found to be one of the underlying stressors in such patients. Susceptibility to invading microorganisms is increased in a heavy metal environment while the metals cause cellular damage in the patient. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of metals when indicated makes a significant positive impact in the treatment of complex chronic illness. Part 1 of this talk will focus on symptoms, workup and diagnostics.

Diagnostics sequencing is critical, as these patients are complex with multiple systems affected, multiple symptoms and multiple diagnostics. Chelation is complex, it is not black and white. While some basics on how to chelate will be discussed, this is not a course on chelation therapy. In order to safely chelate it is strongly encouraged to get accreditation and this subject. Redistribution of metals can commonly take place during chelation therapy and it is important that this is avoided. Effective and safe chelation therapy includes: depuration strategies; Phase I, II and II support; supporting organs of elimination; protecting the membranes (cellular and mitochondrial); monitoring redox and GSH status; remineralization; monitoring of nutrient elements; monitoring and treating all other concurrent issues (Ex chronic infections, structural integrity, trauma). Metals, especially lead incorporate in bones and as bone turnover takes place, we can become our own source of lead toxicity. Certain people are at risk for bone turnover and need to be evaluated; bone turnover must be screened for prior to, during and after chelation. Bone health support may need to be initiated prior to beginning chelation therapy. Each of these topics on bone turnover and metals will be discussed.

Bio: Dr. Nafysa Parpia is a board-certified naturopathic doctor and the Director of Naturopathic Medicine at Gordon Medical. Throughout her career in holistic medicine, she has focused on treating patients with complex chronic illnesses. She specializes in tick-borne illness/Lyme disease, environmentally acquired illness, mold/mycotoxin illness, autoimmunity, fibromyalgia, long haul COVID, ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome). Dr. Parpia’s extensive knowledge has helped people worldwide overcome difficult-to-treat medical conditions. She uses cutting-edge laboratory tests and deep intuition applied to the full range of scientific data to create comprehensive treatment plans that are highly personalized. Her targeted system of care includes a synergistic blend of allopathic and functional medicine diagnoses paired with treatment that includes regenerative medicine, micronutrient therapies, peptide therapies, bioidentical hormone therapy, botanical medicine, pharmaceuticals and psychoemotional support. Dr. Parpia is on the ISEAI Board of Directors (International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness).

Marianne Marchese, ND

"Climate Medicine: Treating Climate Change’s Health Effects"

The next generation of doctors needs to be ready for a world where climate change makes practicing medicine more challenging. There has been an increase in hurricanes, atmospheric rivers, wildfires, drought, heat domes, and rising sea and ocean temperatures. This brings disease and health concerns never seen in certain regions of the U. S. Climate Medicine is an emerging area of focus and specialization dedicated to treating the health effects of climate change. It’s essential that health care providers understand how climate change will impact their clinical practice and patient care. Dr Marchese will describe global warming’s effects on various health conditions. She will help practitioners identify who is at risk, what signs and symptoms to look for, how to work up a patient and offer and treatments.

Bio: Dr. Marianne Marchese is a highly accomplished naturopathic physician and recognized expert in women’s health, environmental medicine, and gynecology. She is the author of the best-selling book 8 Weeks to Women’s Wellness. Her background spans clinical practice, teaching, writing, speaking, and professional advocacy. For the past 22 years her clinical focus has been on balancing women’s hormonal health, thyroid disorders, endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS, PMS, menopause, and perimenopause. She is a specialist in environmental medicine exploring the link between toxicants and health and utilizes detoxification, cleansing and chelation.

Currently Dr Marchese is an associate professor at NUNM -the Director for environmental medicine and parenteral therapy, Department chair of IV therapy and an attending physician at NUNM Health Center. For over 12 years she wrote the environmental medicine column in the Townsend Letter Journal. She has been published in numerous magazines and journals and lectures at physician conferences throughout the U.S. She is past adjunct faculty at Bastyr University in San Diego, Life Chiropractic College in Hayward CA, and Sonoran University in Tempe AZ. Learn more at www.drmarchese.com

Anne Marie Fine, NMD

"Welcome to the Plasticene Age: Microplastics and Nanoplastics"

Plastic pollution is one of the greatest 21st Century environmental challenges to planetary health, causing widespread destruction to both ecosystems and human health. The analysis No Plastic in Nature: Assessing Plastic Ingestion from Nature to People, based on a study commissioned by WWF and carried out by University of Newcastle, Australia, suggests people are consuming about 2000 tiny pieces of plastic every week- the amount found in a credit card. Independent of their effect on ecosystems, plastics and microplastics have crossed the final frontier from environment into humans, and have now been found in human organs, blood, brain, and placenta. The consequences of this plastic intrusion are just now beginning to be investigated, and are complicated by the fact that the plastics themselves are leaching endocrine disruptors, as well as other plastic components, and the fact that they adsorb Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals, and contain biofilms of certain bacteria species. These plastics can then desorb PAHs, and metals, and together with the plastics and its additives which include solvents, dyes, stabilizers which are also leaching into the body, can lead to health effects such as reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. Known endocrine disrupting chemicals that leach from plastics and threaten health include bisphenol A and the newer substitutes like bisphenol S, and bisphenol AF, flame retardants, phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), dioxins, UV stabilizer, and toxic metals such as lead and cadmium. This session will look at the problem of plastics and microplastics ingestion and arm clinicians with strategies on how to mitigate their impact on their patient population.

Bio: Dr. Fine is one of the world’s leading authorities in Environmental Medicine. She is the Co-Founder and Medical Director of Environmental Medicine Education International, LLC a one-year, post-graduate course for physicians in this emerging specialty. Dr. Fine is a licensed and board-certified naturopathic physician and has held licenses to practice medicine in Arizona and California for over 20 years. Dr. Fine is a Fellow of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, past VP of the National Association of Environmental Medicine, currently serves on the board of the Integrative Health Policy Consortium, and a Science Advisor to Made Safe. She is also adjunct faculty at the Sonoran University of Health Sciences, where she teaches Environmental Medicine, a best-selling author, consultant, published author of numerous articles in international peer-reviewed journals, and internationally recognized speaker.

Andrea McBeth, ND

"The Microbiome: Our Canary in the Coal Mine for Environmental and Oxidative Stress"

In today’s modern environment, our gut microbiome acts as an early warning system, much like the canary in a coal mine, alerting us to environmental toxins and oxidative stress that compromise our health. As our most responsive and susceptible system, the microbiome is uniquely positioned to signal, modulate, and defend against oxidative stress through its production of crucial postbiotic metabolites. In this presentation, we will explore how environmental exposures—what we eat, drink, and even think—affect the microbiome’s ability to maintain health, focusing on how postbiotics help activate detox pathways like Antioxidant Response Elements (AREs). We’ll also discuss the redox theory of dysbiosis, which links microbiome imbalance with systemic oxidative stress, and how supporting the microbiome can enhance detoxification and restore balance to the body.

Bio: Andrea McBeth, ND, is a naturopathic doctor, entrepreneur, and advocate focused on developing innovative products that promote healing and reduce suffering. Her work aims to complement and enhance healthcare systems by encouraging a broader understanding of wellness and recovery. She holds an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of San Diego, where she focused on molecular biochemistry research. After working for several years as a full-time researcher, Andrea shifted her academic path to earning a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine.

 Andrea views wellness through the lens of the microbiota, emphasizing the relationship between gut health and overall health. Using microbiome-centered therapies to promote “good” bacteria in the gut, she empowers patients with knowledge and creative approaches to their health concerns. She believes that how we eat, move, and think are integral components of how we heal.

In 2017, she founded a stool bank that supported access to Fecal Microbiota Transplants for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant Clostridium difficile infections. From that work, she branched out and co-founded Thaena Inc. in 2018. She is proud to be leading the biotech startup team as its CEO, further exploring the applications of stool-derived microbial metabolites.

Orna Izakson, ND

"Dude, Where’s My Coffee? True Stories of Plant Foods + Medicines In the Climate Crisis"

As atmospheric carbon and global temperatures rise, a growing body of research points to significant changes in distribution, quality, potency and nutrition of many significant plant crops — including foods and medicines. This presentation will look at the current state of science (and its limitations), discuss the direction of changes to our plant foods and botanical medicines and review existing knowledge of climate effects specific plant crops. As global heating proceeds, physicians emphasize food and plant medicines as healing modalities need to watch these shifts so we can offer the best advice and care. And yes, it is coming for your coffee (and your chocolate).

Bio: Dr. Orna Izakson is a licensed naturopathic doctor and registered herbalist practicing in Alaska and Oregon, specializing in mental health, women’s health and chronic disease. She has served as lead physician of the Traditional Roots Institute at National University of Natural Medicine, on the Gaia Herbs science advisory board, and recently joined the faculty of Psychiatry Redefined. Dr. Izakson also has been an award-winning environmental newspaper reporter, contributing to books on climate change and healthy living. She continues her mission of educating the public about full-spectrum plant medicine, mental health and clinical nutrition as a public speaker and online educator. Dr. Izakson is currently vice president of the Alaska Association of Naturopathic Doctors and founder of the Naturopathic Climate Alliance.

Lyn Patrick, ND

"Healing from Environmental Toxicant Exposure: How Naturopathic Medicine Can Work"

Today’s exposome-the sum total of all pollutant exposure- can be overwhelming for doctors and patients alike. This presentation will review environmental pollutants one at a time to thoroughly and succinctly look at what individuals in both non-occupational and occupational circumstances are exposed to as well as their contribution to disease conditions. From nanoplastics to rarer toxic metal exposures like gadolinium and tin, we’ll explore the pollutome and uncover the most effective means to both teach avoidance and to remove those pollutants from our patient’s bodies. From actual clinical cases, we’ll see what is possible using naturopathic therapeutics that are supported by the medical literature.

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.

Leslie Solomonian, ND

"Justice as A Necessary of Planetary and Pediatric Health: Intersections of Conflict with Other Determinants, the Unique Vulnerability of Children, and the Role of Healthcare Providers"

Nearly 80% of individual health is determined by social factors; this is likely higher for children due to their unique vulnerability. Most models of social determinants of health delineate these as access to education; access to healthcare; the built environment; economic stability; and social context. These determinants are generally thought of as localized; rarely is Planetary Health identified in these models. Through practice case studies, his talk will explore justice as being the common denominator that underpins all these determinants, particularly as they relate to the intersection of Planetary and pediatric health. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of the mechanisms by which injustice leads to health inequity, and strategies to move toward justice when working with children and families.

Bio: Leslie Solomonian is a doctor of naturopathic medicine and professor at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, and former president of the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She is a long-time advocate for environmental and social causes. She co-founded Naturopathic Doctors for Environmental and Social Trust in order to support the naturopathic profession in taking action for these critically important determinants of health. She holds a Masters degree in Public Health in family and community medicine with a specialization in community development. Leslie is the author of the textbook Naturopathic and Integrative Pediatrics, and All They Really Need, a companion text for caregivers on strategies to elevate both child and planetary health; promoting the health of the planet is critical for promoting the health of the next generation.

Iva Lloyd, BScH, BCPP, ND

"Optimizing the Role of Naturopathic Care in Global Health Care"

There is a growing focus on Traditional Systems of Medicine and the potential role that they can and will play in global healthcare. Many of the preventive and healthcare strategies that are part of naturopathic care are being recognized as essential to addressing global health issues, especially non-communicable diseases and environmental health challenges. This seminar will discuss the international Declarations and activities that will shape healthcare for the next decade and beyond. It will also discuss the role of the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF), the steps that the WNF is taking to ensure that the global naturopathic profession is part of the greater healthcare solution and specific areas where the naturopathic profession is positioned to hold a leadership position in global healthcare and research.

Bio: Dr. Iva Lloyd was the inaugural president of the World Naturopathic Federation (www.worldnaturopathicfederation.org from 2014 until 2023 and has now transitioned to WNF’s Chief Executive Officer. She has participated in seven WHO Working Groups, the Global Conference for Primary Health Care in Kazakhstan (2018), the Civil Society Organization Dialogue between the Traditional Complementary and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) Coalition and the WHO (2023) and the 1st Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in India (2023). Dr. Lloyd is founder was editor of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctor’s journal for thirteen (13) years and is Editor-in-Chief of the website www.ndhealthfacts.org. She graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in 2002 where she teaches periodically. Dr. Lloyd has maintained a full-time naturopathic practice since 2002 in Markham, Ontario. In 2022 she was awarded Naturopathic Doctor of the Year from the American Association of Naturopathic Doctors and was awarded the International Naturopathic Benedict Lust Award from OCN FENACO (Spain). In 2023 Dr. Lloyd was awarded an Honorary Naturopathic Doctorate Degree from CCNM. Dr. Lloyd is a prolific researcher, author and lecturer with over 20 peer-reviewed published articles and over eighty professional articles. She has presented nationally and internationally on TCIH, naturopathic medicine and energetic medicine. She is the author of four books, including, ‘Messages From The Body – a guide to the energetics of health’, “The Energetics of Health, a naturopathic assessment” and “The History of Naturopathic Medicine, a Canadian perspective” and she wrote the chapter on Naturopathy, Homeopathy and Natural Medicine in Holistic Healing, Theories, Practices and Social Change. She was also one of the lead editors for the Health Technology Assessment on Naturopathy titled, Naturopathy, practice, effectiveness, utility, economics and safety which was published in December of 2021.