Meg Christensen ND - Bioinformed Design, Architectural Probiotics, and Other Ways Your Home Can Influence Your Microbiome (1 General CE Credit)

DESCRIPTION

For better or worse, we have become an indoor species. The average American spends 90% of their time in their homes, cars, and other buildings. Our close, near-constant contact with these built environments affect our microflora in often-overlooked but surprisingly profound ways. In this presentation, we explore how the lighting, air quality, noise, and furnishings in our homes alter our microbiomes. In addition, we consider how we can cultivate diverse, healthy microbiota in buildings, and how this impacts our own health. Lastly, suggestions for incorporating a healthy home environment as a basic treatment guideline are offered. 

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

1. Describe recent research findings regarding the interaction of the built environment and human microbiome

2. Identify common sources of potential human microbiome disruptors in a patient’s home

3. List solutions for increasing a healthy and diverse population of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the home

4. Offer simple recommendations patients can implement in the home to support a healthy microbiome

INSTRUCTOR

Meg Christensen, ND earned her doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine in 2017. Her clinical research background in chronic disease — including Alzheimer’s, stroke, ALS, and cancer — led her to the conviction that to prevent these diseases from arising at all, a focus on our environment is essential. She believes that our microbial ecosystems, the buildings we spend the majority of our days in, and the air, food, and water in our wider world, are fundamental to truly holistic health. 

She currently practices at Flora Medicine, where she supports patients with gastrointestinal, autoimmune, and neurologic conditions. She is also currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree of Interior Design at Portland Community College, to understand and help influence the way our built environments affect our microbiome.

CONTINUING EDUCATION APPROVAL

1 General CE Credit - American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)