The Enteric System & Neuroendocrinology

The gastrointestinal tract is the largest endocrine organ in the body and the endocrine cells within it are collectively known as the enteric endocrine system (EES). The EES produces a variety of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, corticotrophin releasing hormone, GABA, ghrelin and leptin. The gut includes an intrinsic nervous system (ENS), with a magnitude and complexity of the spinal cord, containing around 500 million neurons that fall into about 20 functional classes. The EES, ENS and the gut flora directly impact the central nervous system, the immune system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress system. It is our core.

Gut formation is one of the first outcomes of multi-cellularity, and it is the longest and largest organ in the body. It is constantly interfacing with external factors through the diet and is one of the origins of our immune system. The human digestive system is home to between 10 -100 trillion bacteria, at least ten times the number of human cells in the body. This is an extremely complex living system that aggressively protects the body. Beneficial bacteria in the gut can strengthen the immune system, prevent allergic inflammation and food allergies, clear eczema in children and heal the intestines from a variety of injuries.

In this seminar we will review a wide variety of diseases that arise from gut dysfunction, and how to treat these conditions using a broader understanding of the interconnections arising from the core. These treatments will include the use of herbs, formulations of herbs, isolates and supplements.

This seminar focuses on evidence-based approaches to treatment involving both botanical and compound approaches. The initial portion of the seminar is devoted to research on the subject, while the latter focuses on treatment protocols. Daniel Weber’s seminars involve a cross-over of information so that both NDs and LAc’s will find the information useful. NDs will be introduced to Chinese herbs and their clinical usage free of TCM jargon, and use Western terms in a bio-medical model. LAc’s will be introduced to Western concepts as well as new herbs and specific compounds to use in treatments.

Upon completion of the seminar you will be able to:

• Define the enteric nervous system.
• Describe the physiology of the enteric endocrine system and its impact on human health.
• Describe the enteric system’s impact on the autonomic and central nervous system and the immune and endocrine systems.
• Describe the following pathologies directly arising from gut dysfunction: constipation, IBS, gastric and duodenal ulcers, ‘leaky gut’, poor nutrient absorption, SIBO, and GERT.
• Describe the immune problems as well as autoimmune problems arising from SIgA dysregulation, allergies, skin conditions and ‘poor immune function’.
• Describe psychophysical disorders due to EES dysfunction including stress, depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
• Discuss botanical interventions to treat at least five of the conditions listed above.

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