The eagerly awaited A4M October Symposium is set to return to the luxurious Encore Boston between October 24-26, 2024. An exceptional and diverse agenda awaits, offering participants a selection of expert-led sessions on cutting-edge topics in functional anti-aging medicine and the latest advancements in each relevant specialty area.
Featuring learner-favorite courses and practice-enhancing certifications and masterclasses, the October Symposium agenda is crafted to impart actionable skills that directly translate into clinical practice. Participants can look forward to:
Clinical Weight Management Certification Program
Pellet Therapy Workshop
IV Therapy Symposium
Module IV: Gastroenterology
Natural Beauty Peptide Therapy Masterclass
These programs provide the opportunity to uncover innovative techniques for implementation in your practice, gain insights from fellow practitioners’ experiences, and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the A4M community.
As we prepare for another exhilarating Fall education weekend, we’re researching and exploring recent news, scientific discoveries, and emerging trends in these domains. Continue reading to uncover what’s on the horizon in the fields covered by our symposium programs.
Spotlight On Breakthrough Interventions
Explore the headlines capturing attention and the programs designed to equip practitioners with state-of-the-art tools and crucial insights to address presented challenges and leverage discovered innovations.
Clinical Weight Management Certification Program
Weight management is particularly relevant given the concurrent obesity epidemic and the surge in anti-obesity drug usage. This program is essential for practitioners navigating the complex landscape of weight management solutions.
In The News:
“Ozempic underworld: Inside the black market of obesity drugs” – CNBC
TLDR: A CNBC investigation unveils a booming black market for counterfeit and diverted weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, driven by high demand and originating from countries including China and Turkey, posing significant health risks to consumers.
TLDR: GLP-1 agonists, initially utilized for diabetes and obesity, demonstrate promising cognitive benefits by mitigating cognitive deficits, reducing nicotine dependence, and potentially modulating inflammation, as a large Oxford University study indicates. Beyond cognitive advantages, semaglutide shows potential in cardiovascular protection, renal function enhancement, liver health, and addiction management.
TLDR: A recent survey reveals that the majority of Americans seeking weight loss favor dietary changes over injectable GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, despite their popularity. At the same time, a significant portion expresses interest in trying a plant-based diet for weight loss.
Our Clinical Weight Management Certification Program equips practitioners with comprehensive strategies to address obesity and weight management, encompassing both pharmaceutical interventions and lifestyle modifications. Participants will acquire the expertise to navigate the intricate landscape of weight management in the context of emerging drug therapies and patient preferences.
Read our post-event blog post for a preview of the transformative education this certification offers – available here.
Pellet Therapy Workshop
Proficiency in hormone optimization and the latest delivery methods is rapidly becoming indispensable for practitioners aiming to provide the most advanced age management care.
Hands-on, immersive, and game-changing: the Pellet Therapy Workshop is your fast-track to next-level hormone healthcare.
In The News:
“New study supports hormone replacement therapy in early menopause” – SIU School of Medicine
TLDR: A recent JAMA study indicates that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) benefits outweigh risks for most women under 60, reversing previous concerns stemming from a 2002 study and advocating for safer, more effective HRT protocols using lower doses and different hormone types. The initial negative perception of HRT led to two decades of stigma and misinformation. New research underscores the benefits of modern HRT protocols, which utilize lower doses and bioidentical hormones like micronized progesterone, minimizing side effects and risks.
“The Worrisome’ Wild West’ of Testosterone Hacking” – Bloomberg UK
TLDR: The increasing popularity of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is raising concerns, as many men are using it without a genuine medical need, leading to potential health risks and irresponsible overprescription by some private clinics and online providers. Private clinics often exploit ambiguities in deficiency definitions, promoting TRT for non-specific conditions.
TLDR: Despite proven efficacy and safety for women under 60, hormone therapy (HT) use for menopause symptoms remains at historic lows in the US due to lingering misconceptions from a flawed 2002 study and insufficient provider education and patient awareness. Less than 4% of American women aged 50-59 use HRT for menopause, significantly lower than pre-2002 levels.
Our Pellet Therapy Workshop addresses these challenges head-on, equipping practitioners with the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively administer hormone therapy. Workshop attendees will observe several live patient demonstrations of pellet insertion techniques and receive hands-on training to master this critical skill.
IV Therapy Symposium
Wellness solutions are in high demand, but there’s a shortage of educated providers offering such services with evidence-based information and a complete understanding of patients’ needs.
In The News:
“Hurricane Helene Damages Could Result In IV Bag Shortage” – Forbes
TLDR: Hurricane Helene’s damage to a North Carolina facility that produces 60% of the US’s IV fluids has created a nationwide shortage, prompting rationing and concerns about patient care, necessitating emergency preparedness and supply chain diversification. Healthcare systems are implementing conservation measures and exploring alternative suppliers, including foreign options.
“How hospitals are grappling with the IV fluid shortage wrought by Hurricane Helene” – STAT News
TLDR: Hurricane Helene and the looming Hurricane Milton have caused widespread IV fluid shortages across the US, compelling hospitals to implement conservation measures, including substituting Gatorade in some cases and postponing elective procedures, highlighting the vulnerability of the nation’s medical supply chain. 86% of US healthcare providers are experiencing IV fluid shortages, with smaller providers most affected. The fragility of the medical supply chain, repeatedly impacted by weather events, is a major concern.
“Unregulated Infusion Spas Deemed Hazardous Compounders” – Specialty Pharmacy Continuum
TLDR: Unregulated infusion spas offering IV treatments without prescriptions are causing safety concerns and exacerbating shortages of medical supplies needed for legitimate treatments, prompting calls for stricter regulation and potentially a new licensure category for wholesalers to differentiate legitimate orders from spas. These spas operate with far less regulation than hospitals or ambulatory settings, compromising medical resource availability and the reputation of accredited providers.
Tackling everything from nutrient protocols and dosing recommendations to the regulatory landscape and essential considerations for safe, legal practice, the IV Therapy Symposium is a must-attend training program. The two-day course empowers practitioners with the expertise to offer popular wellness services and augment the treatment of health conditions that benefit from infusion therapy while navigating the challenges highlighted in recent news.
Module IV: Gastroenterology: The Crossroads of Health
Gut health remains a central component of overall health as researchers and innovators search for optimization solutions. Module IV focuses on comprehensive strategies for treating common gastrointestinal disorders and preparing practitioners to address the complex interplay between gut health and overall wellness.
In The News:
“First Gut Microbiome Map for Personalized Food Responses” – Neuroscience News
TLDR: A new study by Yale University researchers maps how 150 food compounds interact with gut bacteria, revealing significant individual variation in response and paving the way for personalized nutrition strategies based on individual microbiome responses to food. The findings demonstrate that the same food compound can dramatically alter some individuals’ gut microbiomes while having little to no effect on others. This research could lead to personalized dietary recommendations tailored to individual gut health needs.
TLDR: Mayo Clinic researchers have developed the Gut Microbiome Wellness Index 2, a computational tool that accurately assesses gut microbiome health, potentially enabling proactive health management by identifying early signs of disease or recovery. The tool boasts at least 80% accuracy in differentiating healthy individuals from those with any disease. It analyzes stool samples, utilizing bioinformatics and machine learning on data from over 8,000 samples across diverse populations. The index identifies subtle gut health changes, indicating potential disease progression or recovery, and is designed as a proactive health indicator, not a disease diagnostic tool.
As gut dysbiosis and gastrointestinal disorders affect a significant portion of the population, Module IV provides critical information for the modern practitioner. Participants will gain insights into the latest research and tools for assessing and optimizing gut health, enabling them to offer personalized, cutting-edge care.
Natural Beauty Peptide Masterclass With Demos
Peptide therapies, one of the most promising frontiers in functional longevity medicine, offer potent benefits with minimal side effects for an expanding range of conditions. This masterclass delves into the era of rapid innovation in aesthetic medicine, where novel peptide-based treatments and products offer precision-targeted therapies and advanced delivery methods.
In The News:
“From The Brain-Skin Connection To Neurocosmetics, Beauty’s Never Looked So Smart” – MindBodyGreen
TLDR: The brain, skin, and gut are intrinsically linked through the gut-brain-skin axis, sharing a common language of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Skin can serve as an early indicator of brain health issues, potentially revealing signs of depression, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Neurocosmetics represent an emerging area of skincare focused on modulating the brain’s stress response and improving both mental and physical well-being.
“Study reveals skin bacteria removal boosts brain attention signals” – News Medical
TLDR: A study found that removing skin bacteria increased attention levels in participants, as measured by enhanced P300 brain wave amplitudes, suggesting a link between skin microbiota and cognitive function. The findings suggest a complex relationship between skin bacteria, short-chain fatty acids, and brain activity, not simply a proportional relationship.
Guided by the expertise of peptide pioneers, participants of this masterclass will obtain hands-on experience and training in aesthetic medicine applications, departing with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of peptides to address both beauty and overall wellness. Click here to explore the program.
We’re Boston Bound For The October Symposium
Each course in the A4M October Symposium offers a unique opportunity for practitioners to broaden their horizons, elevate their skills, and upgrade their practice in key functional and integrative medicine areas. For those joining us in Boston, we look forward to hosting you for a dynamic conference featuring best-in-class education, networking, and exhibitor interaction opportunities.
Last-minute planners have limited seats; we strongly encourage securing your registration now to guarantee your place. Click here to explore the Symposium’s course offering.
For those unable to attend, stay tuned to @redefiningmedicine for live updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses from the event. Look out for our post-symposium blog post summarizing the most impactful takeaways and breakthrough concepts presented over the weekend.
We look forward to reuniting in Boston only two weeks from now!