Environmental Health: Insights & Education

This module will review the foundational biochemistry and genetics of biotransformation pathways, connect organ system dysfunctions to potential toxic exposures, and detail the available laboratory evaluations useful in assessing both the toxic load and physiologic responses to toxicant and toxin exposures. This program also uses a case-based, integrated approach to effectively deliver tools necessary for clinicians to diagnose and treat the toxic component of their patients’ total health pictures. 

• Recognize the relationship between systemic disease and toxic exposures through a clear understanding of the pathophysiology of total toxic load and synergistic effects of both toxicants and toxins.
• Identify diseases and dysfunctions potentially associated with chronic toxicity and specifically recognize the relationships between chronic toxic insult and neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, autoimmunity, mitochondrial dysfunction, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenesis.
• Apply the PURE principles for managing patients with toxicity concerns (Pattern recognition, Undernourishment, Reduce toxins, Ensure a safe detox).
• Integrate screening questionnaires and detox-specific physical exam findings within a functional medicine intake to discover and assess relevant toxic exposures, and to also track individual’s responses to their environments along with therapeutic interventions.
• Recognize and address the most important antecedents, triggers, and mediators of toxic overload, including impaired biotransformation, dysbiosis, impaired excretion, and nutritional deficiencies.
• Appropriately apply and interpret reliable laboratory evaluations of toxic load and biotransformative capacity.
• Understand the practical aspects of and identify when to consider personalized dietary treatment using the IFM Elimination Diet and Detox Food Plan suites.
• Apply various nutraceuticals, botanicals, pharmaceuticals, and lifestyle interventions to increase mobilization, biotransformation, and elimination of toxic compounds in the body.