Integrative Nutrition for Brain Balance and Gut Health
Week of November 21, 2020
The Great Microbiome: Our Greatest Ally for Optimal Health
Did you know that you carry more bacteria in your gut than the number of human cells in your body? Scientists are discovering that bacteria in your gut impacts so much more than just your digestion. Gut bacteria are connected to aspects of health that we never suspected, including inflammation, body weight, cancer, immunity, brain function, and more. Norma will discuss the benefits of gut bacteria and its impact on our health when out of balance, including how it relates to COVID.
The Top 10 Ways to Heal Your Gut & Maximize Your Microbiota!
Considering the amazing benefits of our gut bacteria and its implications on our health, how can we be sure we are eating to maximize our microbiota? Our gut bacteria is influenced by our diet, environment, age, activity, hygiene and stress level. Norma will discuss better foods, supplements and lifestyle choices that heal and support a healthier gut.
Epigenetics: Your DNA is NOT Your Destiny!
Our DNA was originally thought to be pre-programmed and could not be changed. We were stuck with what we got! That has all changed with the new understanding of Epigenetics, which is the ability of nutrition and other environmental factors to turn human genes on or off. In other words, our food intake and lifestyle behaviors have an effect on how our genes are expressed!
How about those “bad” genes that run in your family? There is new hope! Learn how genetic testing can point out deficiencies that can be supported with nutrition, supplements and changes in your environment.
Bringing it all together! How does Functional Medicine help YOU?
Do you experience more brain fog or anxiety? Feeling chronic fatigue and stress? Struggle with digestive issues, joint pain or migraines? Do you simply want to handle life better during these uncertain times? Norma will share the Functional Medicine Matrix that allows you to assess the parts of your life that may be out of balance and feed into your current symptoms or feelings of imbalance. The key is getting to the ROOT of problems, versus the “Western” approach of only treating symptoms.
Norma delves deeper to treat problems where they start. Motivated by her own health challenges and those of her clients, she applies functional nutrition therapy to effectively treat or support digestive health, mental health, and eating disorders. Life coaching is also central in her practice.
With a background in Pharmacology & Toxicology, Norma’s journey started in research at Viagene-Center for Gene Therapy. Personal health issues then moved her to get a master’s degree in nutrition and then complete her clinical training in a highly competitive dietetic internship at the UCSD Medical Center. Norma was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student for her major, and the Outstanding Dietetic Intern for the state of California. Her 20 years of experience as a dietitian include UCSD Cancer Center, UCSD Medical Center, Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, SDSU Student Health Services and Athletics, and finally Private Practice as an Integrative and Functional Nutritionist.
Norma also has a passion for reaching out to youth, which inspired her to start a school garden program at Painted Rock Elementary School, as well as establish Poway Unplugged, which included a tween/teen day camp to teach positive coping tools and balanced health to young girls.
Norma is a mother to a 16-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son in Poway, California. During her free time, she loves hiking, yoga, gardening and time with family and friends.