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title: Neurogastroenterology & the Gut-Brain Axis
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| Neurogastroenterology & the Gut-Brain Axis   The gut-brain axis is the bidirectional communication pathway between the gut and the brain, which includes hormonal, neural, and immune mediators. Studies suggest that alterations in the gut-brain axis may be involved in the pathogenesis of an array of disorders, including disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. How does the latest gut-brain axis research support the functional medicine approach to optimal digestive and gastrointestinal health? LEARN MORE 2026 Events Aug 3-Sep 10 Gastrointestinal (GI) APM Sep 14-Oct 22 Bioenergetics APM Nov 2-Dec 10 Hormone APM 2027 Events Feb 15-Mar 25 Immune APM Jun 14-Jul 22 Cardiometabolic APM Jun 2-5 AIC 2027 GUT HEALTH AND WHOLE-BODY CONNECTIONS Gut health is closely connected to many systems throughout the body, including immune function, metabolism, sleep, and cellular energy. Explore how a functional medicine approach can help uncover underlying contributors to gastrointestinal imbalance and inform personalized strategies to support the microbiome and overall health. Connecting Mitochondria and Gut Health Recent research suggests a connection between gut microbes and the mitochondria of several cell types. What are the known mechanisms, and how may they inform therapeutic treatment and prevention strategies? Lifestyle Factors & Gut Health: A Focus on Sleep What is the connection between reduced sleep quality and a dysbiotic gut microbiome, and how can the functional medicine approach help? Gastrointestinal Involvement in COVID-19: Supporting the Gut Microbiome How can functional medicine practitioners harmonize the gut microbiome to promote healing and immune health in both acute and long-COVID patients? Childhood Antibiotics and Adult Health How might early-life gut health stressors impact overall health later in life, and how can the functional medicine approach help? READ MORE Chronic Pain, Nutrition, and Mitochondria  Research indicates that nutritional modifications and supporting mitochondrial health are examples of promising therapeutic interventions for those with chronic pain. READ MORE Experience All the Moments of AIC 2026 Did you miss out on IFM’s Annual International Conference this year? Experience all the mainstage and concurrent presentations from the year’s premier functional medicine event in the conference proceedings. EXPLORE THE PROCEEDINGS AIC 2026 Poster Session Manuscripts Poster sessions at AIC 2026 presented functional medicine research and clinical advances from authors with diverse scopes of practice. Several of these were published in a special edition of Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal (IMCJ). READ IN IMCJ Contact Us  \|  Manage Your Preferences  \|  Unsubscribe  \|  Pause Emails  \|  View in Browser As the leading voice for functional medicine for more than 30 years, The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the confident and competent practice of functional medicine through ACCME-accredited education, industry-leading certification led by the autonomous International Board of Functional Medicine Certification (IBFMC)™, partnerships across medical disciplines, and advocacy on behalf of clinicians and patients around the globe.   This email was sent by: The Institute for Functional Medicine 505 S. 336th St, Ste 600 Federal Way, WA 98003 800.228.0622 ©2026 The Institute for Functional Medicine  \| All Rights Reserved \| View our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Sign Up for Text Reminders Receive a 5% discount on your next course. |
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