Inflammation, Chronic Illness, & the Brain - DVD - 6 Hours (w/Home-study exam)

The course “Brain Health: Mood, Metabolism and Cognition” provides an overview of key factors that can improve mental health, as well as to ensure cognitive health. This course includes a discussion of: (1) the importance of stress management, (2) physical activity, (3) weight management, (4) early diagnosis and proper management of diabetes and pre-diabetes, (5) key dietary factors to “defend the castle”, including the concept of “nutritional psychiatry”, (6) ways to improve gut health so as to improve brain health, (7) proper sleep hygiene, (8) the importance of oral health, and, finally, (9) how to incorporate some of the characteristics of our ancestors’ lifestyle (i.e., address our modern “Paleo-Deficit disorder). Health professionals who complete this course will gain a much fuller understanding of the factors that impact brain health, as well as a range of techniques to help themselves, and their patients/clients, improve/preserve cognitive function and ensure positive emotional and mental health.

Explains the concept of the gut-brain axis, and its implications for health and disease. Describes how microbes and their metabolites communicate with the body and the brain. Explains how the microbiome-gut-brain axis influences the development of neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Describes how microbial metabolites regulate immune and metabolic pathways in the body, and how this may impact risk of allergies, autoimmune diseases, obesity and diabetes. Explains how the ecology of the oral microbiome impacts both gut and systemic health; discusses implications for modern-day oral healthcare. Lists potential microbial and gut health disruptors, as well as therapeutic strategies to improve gut and brain health (to become “ecosystem engineers”). Describes ways in which the highly complex gut-brain scientific research has been oversold and misinterpreted by the lay press. Identifies red flags of “pseudoscience” to become a healthy skeptic. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes.

Describes the main brain functions that contribute to addictive behavior. Explains the major ways that addiction changes the brains of addicts. Describes how drugs mimic and alter neurotransmitters which provoke the psychological effects of addiction. Explains the difference between drug dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Describes the clinical consequences of addiction to food, opioids, street drugs, and alcohol. Lists and compare the major treatment options for legal and illegal drug addictions. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, and other health professions.