I am a wife, mom, medical research educator focusing on microbiome associations to health and disease, attorney, and mechanical engineer.  I juggle these roles to pioneer public health change based on the science.

2006 began my microbiome education into an unexplored field at the intersection of public health and education. The focus was the eye microbiome. A contact lens disinfection solution was causing blinding eye infections in the United States by permitting break through of the parasite acanthamoeba. I and three moms effected a 2007 global FDA recall of that solution, saving millions of eyes.

In 2010, I became the sole patient in a major teaching hospital in the NE United States who used microbiome based diet and lifestyle to maintain remission of an autoimmune disease medication-free. From 2010 through 2024, I was in clinical remission and biochemical remission. Imagine, NO costly biologics having loads of side effects including cancer, that fail most of the time anyway. In 2024, we closed the door showing diet and lifestyle changes that modulate the microbiome works to maintain remission of an autoimmune. We had both endoscopic and histologic pathological colonoscopy proof finding NO signs of disease or inflammation, not even a polyp!

As a medical research educator focusing on microbiome associations to health and disease, I liaison with researchers, scientists, doctors, and experts to unravel and present complicated medical and system information in a manner that all can use for improved health and wellness.

Microbiome modulation is at the intersection of public health and education based on the latest research. We are carving out the future for what preventative medicine looks like within the modern world.

I educate anyone wanting to learn how to use diet and lifestyle to modulate the microbiome and achieve health of body and brain. Much of my individual private one-on-one work provides you the tools necessary to successfully advocate for yourself at medical professional office visits. As well, I teach you how to cook using microbiome focused recipes that saves you time and money. My clientele have been able to connect the dots and manage chronic disease, autoimmunity, and metabolic disease –> reducing, weaning and eliminating medications as they optimize their gut microbiome (always under the guidance of a physician).  

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The ultimate goalpost is aging with vitality. That means being able to do what you want, whenever you want, and doing it well. All health begins in the gut. Shoring up your microbiome ensures healthy aging both body AND brain. To decrease the risk of dementia, cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer’s, check out what I can teach you by viewing my prelude video for the VA Council of Nurse Practitioners Annual Conference!

Diseases Now Associated with a Messed up Microbiome

Bottom line:  The evidence finds that the gut microbiome is altered in many chronic and autoimmune diseases.  Therapeutics now look at practically optimizing the microbiome by integrating  anti-inflammatory, nutrient dense, low toxin, and healing components of diet and lifestyle.  This is incredibly empowering as we can control the expression of our genes (epigenetics) by diet and lifestyle choices if we are aware.  I teach these protocols which I call “Microbiome Modules”.

Studies now show: inflammation, digestive problems including IBS, chronic and autoimmune diseases, allergies, arthritis, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, skin disorders including acne, psoriasis and eczema, autism, insulin resistance, overall adiposity, obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, and gut-brain interactions such as mood, depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, autism, and eating disorders, and more is affected by the community of bacteria (along with gut infections, viruses, fungi, and parasites) that occupies the ecosytem of the gut microbiome.  

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Why I also teach microbiome focused CME

It is shocking that forty-two percent of experienced academics encounter difficulties and frustration in engaging with the primary research literature [Hubbard et al 2017]! As well, most medical providers have never heard of the microbiome!

Microbiome information is cutting edge. This website is cited and referenced by Camilia R. Martin , M.D., M.S. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Harvard Medical School. in the Introduction to the Microbiome Webinar. 

An Introduction to the Microbiome Webinar – Dec 11, 2014

My work has been published, “A Medical Evolution: New DNA Techniques Reveal How Gut Bacteria Could Change Everything,”  by Patricia Carter, CAM Magazine, November, 2014, pages 34-36. The article summarizes Dr. Rob Knight’s presentation on the latest in microbiome research and includes 11 factors found from the American Gut data optimizing gut microbiome. 

HERE’S WHAT OUR MICROBIOME INFORMATION LOOKS LIKE:

The human microbiome regulates over 70 percent of our immunity and directly impacts health, wellness and performance (see posts here,  here and here).

The human microbiome originates at birth by mode of delivery and feeding. Our human genomes are 90 percent similar but our microbiomes are 99 percent different, and we have all changed it profoundly during our lifetimes in manners only now being understood resulting in anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory, microbiome based immune status.

For an example of what you’ll learn for brain health and decreasing the risk of dementia, cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer’s, check out my prelude video for the VA Council of Nurse Practitioners Annual Conference!

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MY HOPE IF YOU ARE HERE

I am hoping if you are here, that your take away from my site guides you and your family towards incredible health, wellness, and vitality and that you seek such beyond the conventional paradigm if need be, as I have.

An informed public can make educated lifestyle choices to become better advocates for our health.

My message goal is to always be fundamentally on point with the most well respected scientific literature fully supportive of my words.  

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SPECIALIZED CERTIFICATIONS AND COURSE WORK:

Expert microbiome lectures include:  Martha Clare Morris MIND Diet (hybrid Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, and Literature based beneficial brain nutrients, CME Certified), Martin Blaser, Sibyl Bucheli, Gregory Caporaso, Charlotte Carter, David Carter, Tom Cech, Elizabeth Costello, Justine Debelius, Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello, Pieter Dorrestein, Jack Gilbert, Philip Hugenholtz, Greg Humphrey, Embriette Hyde, Janet Jansson, Jeff Leach, Cathy Lozupone, Daniel McDonald, Valerie McKenzie, Sarkis Mazmanian, Norm Pace, Dorota Porazinska, Luke Ursell, Will Van Treuren, Yoshiki Vasquez-Baeza, Zhenjiang (Zech) Xu, Michael Pollan, and Luke Thompson, and more.

• 2021 How To Achieve Results for a Healthier Plant-Powered Life – For Your Patients and Yourself. British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.
• 2019 Understanding the Infant Microbiome. Microbirth.
• 2018 Understanding the Infant Microbiome and Group B Strep. Microbirth.
• 2018 Certified: Diet and Alzheimer’s Disease. The George Washington University. Mind Diet (now in trial) is a hybrid of Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, AND literature based beneficial brain nutrients. Studies find MIND diet significantly slowed cognitive decline 53% which is similar to Mediterranean Diet.  DASH diet did not perform as well.  WHAT IS MOST STRIKING IS THAT EVEN THOSE WITH MODERATE MIND DIET ADHERENCE HAD A SIGNIFICANT 35% REDUCTION IN RISK OF DEVELOPING AD whereas neither Mediterranean nor DASH diet performed as well.  MIND diet almost doubled cognitive protection compared to Mediterranean and DASH diets.

• 2011 Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome. University of Colorado Boulder. Instructors: Dr. Rob Knight (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Computer Science, Biofrontiers Institute), Jessica L. Metcalf (Senior Research Associate, BioFrontiers Institute), and Katherine R. Amato (Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Anthropology, BioFrontiers Institute).

• The Science of Natural Healing.  Instructor: Dr. Mimi Guarneri, Founder of Scripts Center for Integrative Medicine in CA, board certified in cardiology, internal-nuclear- and holistic medicine. Author, “The Heart Speaks: A Cardiologist Reveals the Secret Language of Healing.” Western medicine focuses on disease w/o the underlying cause. Physicians make a diagnosis, offer a drug/surgical treatment, & provide no instructions for disease reversal. This course taught: causes of disease, state-of-the art biomarkers & imaging for diagnosis; solutions for disease prevention, reversal, and treatment; nutrition’s role in health with clear guidance on eliminating common inflammation causing and allergy-inducing foods; how to replace such with foods that lead to production of healthy proteins; food quality & industrialization with altered nutrition; and herbal medicine-vitamins-supplements. Solutions taught immediately improve chronic conditions including arthritis and heart disease, and full programs are offered for naturally treating diabetes, high cholesterol, & high blood pressure.

• 2014 Cross Talk Between Gut & Brain, Dr. Alessio Fasano, MD, Autism Research Institute.
• 1st International Symposium on the Microbiome in Health and Disease with a Special Focus on Autism with world renowned speakers investigating the microbiome in health and disease with a special focus on how microbiome abnormalities may underlie some types of Autism and how manipulating the microbiome may help elucidate mechanisms of this challenging disorder and pave a path towards new treatments for affected children.  Speakers included: Mr. John Rodakis and Dr. Richard Frye, Dr. Carl Cerniglia, Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe, Dr. Tore Midtvedt,   Dr. William Parker, Dr. Jim Adams and Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, Dr. Derrick MacFabe, Dr. Richard Frye, and Dr. Susan Swedo.

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As always, certainly contact me with any questions or concerns that you believe I might have insight into, and I will do my best to address such.

Best of health and wellness to you,

References in order of appearance:

1. Camilia R. Martin , M.D., M.S. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Harvard Medical School. 
2. CME Microbiome Questions & Answers.
3. Prelude video for the 2019 VCNP Annual Conference presentation.
4. [Hubbard et al 2017] Perceptions of scientific research literature and strategies for reading papers depend on academic career stage.
5.  [Vighi et al 2008]  Allergy and the gastrointestinal system. The   human microbiome regulates over 70 percent of our immunity.
6. The Science Behind Food, Disease, Microbiome.
7. Diet & Other Things: What Determines Microbiome?
8. Microbirth: Health Ramifications Associated with C-Section Birth.
9. “A Medical Evolution: New DNA Techniques Reveal How Gut Bacteria Could Change Everything,”  by Patricia Carter, CAM Magazine, November, 2014, pages 34-36. The article summarizes Dr. Rob Knight’s October, 2014 presentation on the latest in microbiome research and includes 11 factors found from the American Gut data optimizing gut microbiome.
10. Learn How Diet Pierces the Disease Epigenetics Process!  We can control the expression of our genes (epigenetics) by diet and lifestyle choices if we are aware.
11. Microbiome Corporate Wellness Programs.  I teach these protocols, called “Microbiome Modules”.
12. 2018 CME Certified:  Mind Diet (now in trial) is a hybrid of Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, AND literature based beneficial brain nutrients.
13. 1st International Symposium on the Microbiome in Health and Disease with a Special Focus on Autism. 
14. Mr. John Rodakis and Dr. Richard Frye, Dr. Carl Cerniglia, Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe, Dr. Tore Midtvedt,   Dr. William Parker, Dr. Jim Adams and Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, Dr. Derrick MacFabe, Dr. Richard Frye, and Dr. Susan Swedo.
15.  FAQ: Human Microbiome, January 2014 Report by the American Academy of Microbiology.

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Update History

Last updated: May 17, 2024 at 7:32 am to change header and delete FDA Contact Lens Recall specific section.

Prior update fixed broken link.

Aug 28, 2018 added:  

1. CME Certified:  Mind Diet (now in trial) is a hybrid of Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, AND literature based beneficial brain nutrients.  
2. Microbiome Modules Tiled Mosaic, and
3. The Division of Parasitic Diseases, CDC, Atlanta, GA  PowerPoint,  Resistance of Acanthamoeba Cysts to Disinfection in Multiple Contact Lens Solutions, S. P. Johnston, R. Sriram, Y. Qvarnstrom, S. Roy, and GS.Visvesvara. It’s conclusion: 
   • Solutions without hydrogen peroxide had varying degrees of activity against cysts of all 3 species of Acanthamoeba, but none had activity at 4 hours of contact,
   • However, SOME solutions had activity after 24 of hours contact,
   • Most contact lens wearers do not soak lenses longer than 8-12 hours (overnight)

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Prior updates

• December 29, 2017 added links to my microbiome focused CME, the [Hubbard et al 2017] study finding forty-two percent of experienced academics encounter difficulties and frustration in engaging with the primary research literature,”  Also added is the Reference section below my signature. 
• Dec 28, 2017 added the  Microbiome Module slide. 
• Nov 15, 2017 added “see  CCD MMWR here” since FDA archive may not be active.  
• March 7, 2017 added link to, “A Medical Evolution: New DNA Techniques Reveal How Gut Bacteria Could Change Everything,”  by Patricia Carter, CAM Magazine, November, 2014.  (Summarizes Dr. Rob Knight’s October, 2014 presentation on the latest in microbiome research and includes the 11 factors found from the American Gut data that optimizes the gut microbiome.)