Pre and Post-Concussion - Nutrition and the Role of Infection & Stress with Dr. Cindy Howard

This continuing education course focuses on the nutritional aspects of pre and post-concussion care, emphasizing the impact of infection and stress. Participants will benefit from an engaging case study that examines a concussed athlete's recovery, highlighting key elements of hydration and supplementation aimed at reducing traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms. Additionally, the program will explore the consequences of blood-brain barrier breakdown and its links to infection. The second half delves into the relationship between gut health, brain function, and common infections in athletes. Attendees will gain insights into testing and treatment protocols for infections, alongside the comprehensive care of concussed athletes. Each attendee will leave better equipped to implement nutrition strategies and identify conditions commonly seen in this population.

• •Evaluate nutritional assessment and intervention strategies for pre- and post-concussion management to optimize neurological recovery
• •Analyze the relationship between blood-brain barrier integrity, infection, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptom progression
• •Apply evidence-based hydration and supplementation protocols to support concussed athlete recovery and reduce inflammation
• •Assess the gut-brain axis and its role in neuroinflammation, immune function, and cognitive recovery following concussion
• •Identify common infections in athletic populations and implement appropriate testing and treatment protocols for concussed patients
• •Develop comprehensive nutritional care plans that address stress response, immune function, and long-term brain health in post-concussion patients