Presentation: Dr. Kellogg, C.W. Post and the Link Between Depression, Diet and the Gut Microbiome

Workshop: Exploring the Relationship Between Mental and Physical Health and How Gut Health Impacts Overall Well-Being - A Practical Guide to Healing from the Inside Out

Dr. John Goff, M.D. is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado and a gastroenterology specialist in private practice. He has over 48 years of experience in the medical field and has extensive experience in Pancreatic Disease and Esophageal Disorders. He is the patriarch of a blended family of 8 children, 15 grandchildren, 4 dogs and 7 equine.

Presentation Preview

This presentation will explore the colorful, extremist, and innovative lives of J.H. Kellogg and his patient and eventual competitor, C.W. Post. Both men contributed to prosperous companies aimed at improving health and wellness through diet. They were early pioneers in the attempt to understand the role of diet in the management of depression and other maladies and disorders. C.W. Post suffered from severe abdominal pain and depression. Despite Post's attempts at improving his health and decreasing his pain through his diet, he failed to improve his health and ultimately committed suicide. These biographical sketches will serve as an introduction to a discussion of the contemporary understanding of how diet, probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, psychotropics, and the gut microbiome are related and synergistically impact mental and physical health. This presentation will focus on current approaches to treating depression, the possible causation of depression, medical advances for diagnosis, and speculation on future treatments for depression and physical pain.

Workshop Preview:

Concerns over dietary benefits vs adverse effects of food are nearly universal. Information regarding diets, supplements, probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamin needs and the impact of medication on the gut biome are highly sought after but are often confusing and conflicting. Concerns are increasing about the adverse effects of diet & nutrition, drugs, and environmental contaminants and their impact on epigenetics. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting diet is a factor in psychological disorders. This workshop will take a broad look at this field and discuss the role of diet as an adjunct to mental and physical health management.  

The workshop will be led by a distinguished panel of experts, including Doctors of Gastroenterology, Psychiatry, and Naturopathic medicine. Their collective knowledge and experience will guide us in exploring the impact of psychotropic drugs, antibiotics, pre- and pro-biotics, and diet on the gut microbiome, with a specific focus on its role in depression and mental health.

Through this workshop, you will gain practical insights into how specific tests can help identify and treat disruptions in the gut microbiome. We will also delve into the effects of different diets, including Ayurvedic diets, on mental and physical health, equipping you with valuable knowledge for your personal health journey.

As part of this unique workshop, you will have the opportunity to actively engage in relaxation techniques for the mind, diaphragm, and abdominal organs. This experiential, guided component will enhance your understanding and application of these techniques, contributing to your overall mind and body health.