The process of aging is complex and poorly understood, with a high amount of variability not only between individuals but also within the same person. Even though the biology of aging has been studied for many years, scientists disagree on most of the foundational principles including how to define it, determining when it starts, what causes it, whether it should be considered as part of a natural process or a disease and what could be done to slow it down or reverse it. However, there is general agreement on the hallmarks of aging, which are twelve molecular mechanisms that commonly contribute to the aging process. This lecture will focus on two hallmarks of aging, namely deregulated nutrient sensing and mitochondrial dysfunction; not only because of their widespread influence on overall health during aging but also because they can be relatively easily modified by using natural medicine. Metabolic flexibility refers to the ability to rapidly adjust to different energy and nutrient sources depending on the body’s demands and on the availability of oxygen, substrates and nutrient cofactors. A loss of metabolic flexibility as we age is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent development of many chronic diseases. This lecture provides an overview of the key roles mitochondrial health plays in aging including inflammaging and deregulated metabolism of critical nutrients such as NAD+ and magnesium. It also includes the important role of regular physical activity/ exercise in maintaining metabolic flexibility and mitochondrial health as well as preventing age-related muscle loss or sarcopenia. The role of dysbiosis as well as dietary supplements such as Omega 3 fatty acids, dietary polyphenols (eg. resveratrol), and berberine on mitochondrial health and the aging process also will be discussed. Naturopathic doctors, and other practitioners of integrative medicine, are well equipped with the knowledge as well as the medications and therapeutics to support mitochondrial health and metabolic flexibility, improving the chances that health and vitality are maintained as we age.
June 25, 2025; 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lecture, the clinician will be aware that:
- The process of aging is complex & poorly defined with numerous contributing factors
- Metabolic flexibility is an important contributor to health as well as to prevention & treatment of unhealthy aging
- Supporting mitochondrial health through different foundational treatments (eg. regular physical activity/ exercise) & natural health products (eg. NAD+, magnesium, Omega 3 fatty acids, resveratrol, berberine) is important for healthy aging
CE Credits
CONO: (pending approval) Category A – 1.0 credit (General)
British Columbia: Category C – 1.0 credit
AANP: (pending approval) 1.0 credit (General)
OANP/OBNM: For Oregon attendees seeking OBNM approved CE credits, please note that this event has not been submitted for approval to the OBNM. CE certificate will be issued upon individual request
Dr David Lescheid, BSc, PhD, ND
David W Lescheid works as freelance Medical Writer and consultant providing scientific material and delivering lectures that help support patient care using Integrative medical principles. He also works part-time teaching Leadership workshops to scientists as well as part-time as the MedicoScientific Manager of the International Academy of Bioregulatory Systems Medicine in Baden-Baden, Germany. Prior to these current positions, Dr. Lescheid was a Professor at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine where he taught Physiology, Microbiology and Infectious disease as well as Clinical Care. Additionally, he spent four years practicing full-time in a large multidisciplinary health clinic in Ottawa with specialized interests in the immune system and infectious disease, men’s health issues, obesity concerns, and sports medicine. He has been a member of several federal and international committees including the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) to Health Canada, the Council for Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND), and other government and media relations subcommittees.
Dr Lescheid graduated with honors from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in 2002. He earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Protein Chemistry from the University of Victoria. He completed his B.Sc. in Biology, earned a Diploma in Health and Fitness studies from Simon Fraser University, and has additional training in IV therapies, homotoxicology, homeopathy and different forms of bodywork. Dr. Lescheid is a frequent guest speaker at various international medical and scientific seminars and has published extensively on complementary and integrative medicine.
