2024 Tampa Conference – Agenda

Environmental Toxins and Chronic Disease: Unveiling Hidden Health Risks and Effective Interventions

Fred Harvey, MD

The Global Burden of Disease study revealed that pollution-related diseases caused 9 million premature deaths in 2015, accounting for one in six deaths worldwide. Environmental toxin exposure should be a consideration for clinicians when searching for the root cause of chronic diseases.

In this two-part presentation, Dr. Harvey will delve into the role of environmental toxin exposure in the development of chronic diseases associated with aging. He will focus on toxic metals, like mercury and lead, and substances such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, present in Teflon, fire-proof, and stain-resistant fabrics), halogenated hydrocarbons (found in solvents, pesticides, flame retardants, and cleaning agents), fragrances, and chemicals associated with plastics, all of which are increasingly linked to higher mortality risk.

Dr. Harvey will explain the importance of clinicians recognizing environmental toxins as root causes of chronic diseases and how to identify their sources. He will discuss the best testing methods for evaluating and quantifying toxin burden, share successful treatments from his clinical practice, and provide guidance on customizing treatment protocols for individual cases. Additionally, he will present evidence-based natural treatments to support detoxification and reduce toxin burden.

Discover the Potential of Neurorestorative Peptides

Edwin Lee, MD

The world of peptide therapy is a growing field in medicine with actions ranging from improving skin care, growth hormone, to immune system benefits. On Pub med there are over 2.5 million articles on peptides. Peptides are small proteins that have unique regenerative properties and can be impactful in neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are the most common neurodegenerative diseases. In 2016, approximately 5.4 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease. Neurodegenerative diseases occur when nerve cells in the brain or peripheral nervous system lose function over time and ultimately die. In this lecture regenerative peptides for the brain will be reviewed. Some peptides have been shown to increase Brain Derived Neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to help with nerve cell regeneration. It is noted that patients with Alzheimer’s have low BDNF and improving BDNF can help with cognition. Other pathways will be discussed in improving cognition.

Reversing Mild to Moderate Dementia With Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, and Exosomes

Edwin Lee, MD

Dr. Lee will review the role of environmental toxins and epigenetics on the aging process, and potential treatments to attenuate their effects, including Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Exosomes, and Peptides.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), also known as plasma exchange, is a medical procedure designed to remove and replace a patient's plasma. TPE is used therapeutically to treat various autoimmune disorders, neurological diseases, and certain toxicological emergencies by eliminating pathogenic substances and regulating immune responses. Dr. Lee will delve into the intricate mechanisms and applications of this therapeutic procedure.

The AMBAR (Alzheimer Management by Albumin Replacement) trial is a clinical study investigating the potential of TPE therapy to treat Alzheimer's disease. The trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a treatment regimen involving plasmapheresis, and the removed plasma is replaced to potentially reduce neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer's.

Dr. Lee will also describe the role of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and exosomes in neurodegenerative diseases. MSCs have been investigated for their therapeutic potential in a wide range of medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, orthopedic injuries, and autoimmune diseases. Clinical trials exploring the safety and efficacy of MSC-based therapies are ongoing, with promising results suggesting their potential as a versatile tool in regenerative medicine. In exosome therapy, exosomes are isolated from a specific cell type, typically mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and then purified for therapeutic use. These exosomes are enriched with various signaling molecules and genetic material that can modulate cellular functions, promote tissue repair, and regulate immune responses.

Understanding Senescence and Senolytic Therapy - Sponsored by Restorative Formulations

Kevin Spelman, PhD

We often consider diseases of aging to be inevitable, but by better understanding the pathophysiology of aging, we can develop tools to slow its progression. One important hallmark of aging is cell senescence, a crucial biological process where cells cease to divide and enter a state of permanent growth arrest without undergoing cell death.

Aging is characterized by the accumulation of senescent cells in tissues, which disrupts normal tissue function and promotes a phenotypic secretory cell, the SASP, that results in “inflammaging”. This presentation explores the intricate relationship between cell senescence and chronic diseases with inflammation at the root, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and pulmonary diseases.

Dr. Spelman will review dietary and physiological triggers of cellular senesce. He will share evidence-based and theoretical senolytic therapies to address cell senescence, SASPs and slow chronic diseases of aging.

Strengthening Longevity: Integrative Strategies for Bone and Muscle Health

Stacy Robinson, MD

As the world's population ages, the prevalence of chronic diseases, including sarcopenia and osteoporosis, is increasing rapidly. These conditions are often comorbid (termed osteosarcopenia) and share risk factors such as genetics, nutritional deficiencies, endocrine dysfunction, inflammation/oxidative stress, and mechanical factors. Bone and muscle not only interact anatomically but also chemically and metabolically. This combination leads to increased falls, fractures, loss of function, frailty, and mortality, resulting in significant decrease in quality of life and shortened health span. To address this, it is crucial for physicians and practitioners to evaluate bone and muscle strength as predictors and biomarkers of longevity. Emphasizing the importance of building bone and muscle reserves early can help prevent the loss of function in these essential organs as we age. Dr. Robinson will review the pathophysiology and risk factors of the conditions of osteosarcopenia. She will also review the biomarkers we can use to evaluate patients for these conditions as well outline a comprehensive treatment approach including nutrition and other lifestyle factors, nutraceuticals, and medications to promote optimal function and health of muscle and bone.