Expanding the Research Toolbox: Reflections from the 2025 ANA Conference

After every conference, I carve out time to sit, reflect, and write out what I’ve learned—clinical pearls, new tools, and helpful resources that I can use to elevate my practice. It’s my way of internalizing material and determining what’s truly actionable. But this time, after attending the 2025 American Nutrition Association (ANA) Conference, I felt compelled to do something different.

Rather than creating a private list of notes, I wanted to share a more meaningful reflection—one that speaks to the depth of the content and the community that shaped it.

Reconnecting with Purpose in Clinical Practice

The ANA conference wasn’t just another professional event—it was a dynamic, energizing gathering of some of the most thoughtful and progressive minds in clinical nutrition. With a powerhouse lineup of CNSs, functional medicine experts, and integrative practitioners, it addressed today’s most pressing challenges: chronic inflammation, metabolic disruption, environmental toxicity, hormone balance, and more.

What set this conference apart was the balance of science and soul. Protocols were evidence-based and practical but also rooted in purpose, with an awareness of the human, systemic, and ecological factors that influence health. It was a reminder that clinical work is more than a checklist of interventions—it’s relational, responsive, and deeply personal.

You Can’t Do It All—And You Shouldn’t

One of my most powerful takeaways was a reaffirmation of something many practitioners need to hear: We can’t do it all, and we’re not meant to. There’s no one-size-fits-all practitioner, just as there’s no client journey.

Part of practicing with integrity is recognizing when to refer, collaborate, or lean on a colleague's expertise. In that spirit, I’m sharing the insights and protocols from some of the brilliant professionals who contributed to this year’s conference because we all benefit when we work together.

🔎 Key Sessions & Clinical Takeaways

🌱 Herbal & Nutritional Menopause Support – Rebecca Snow, CNS, RH

Rebecca delivered a masterclass on supporting postmenopausal women by integrating clinical nutrition, emotional health, and herbal medicine. She discussed:

• Rheum rhaponticum (ERr 731) – clinically validated to reduce menopausal symptoms

• Black Cohosh – supportive for vasomotor symptoms

• Maca, Sage, St. John’s Wort, Valerian – targeted for libido, mood, and sleep

Takeaways:

• Prioritize protein-dense eating to preserve lean mass

• Leverage Mediterranean-style and plant-based diets for cardiovascular and mood support

• Promote intuitive eating to counter chronic dieting fatigue

• Use stress-reduction tools to support the HPA axis and long-term resilience

  
  

🧠 GLP-1 Medications & Nutrition – Monica Reinagel, CNS

With GLP-1 receptor agonists rising in popularity for obesity management, Monica outlined the essential nutritional considerations often overlooked with these medications:

• Appetite suppression can lead to protein and micronutrient deficiencies

• Clients risk muscle loss without intentional protein support (aim for 1.2–2.0 g/kg/day)

• Hydration, fiber, and mindful eating are key to managing GI side effects and supporting metabolism

Takeaways:

• GLP-1s shift physiology—but not behavior.

• CNSs are uniquely positioned to bridge that gap with education, meal planning, and long-term habit change.

  
  

🌾 Soil & Microbiome – Sara Keough, CNS

Sara’s powerful session highlighted the inextricable link between soil and human health. As an eco-nutritionist, she encouraged clinicians to view regenerative agriculture as a cornerstone of clinical care.

Key concepts:

• Diverse soil microbiomes lead to more nutrient-dense foods

• These foods, in turn, support gut microbiome diversity and resilience

• Regenerative farming is not just environmentally sustainable—it’s therapeutically relevant

Takeaways:

• Prioritize regeneratively farmed, nutrient-dense foods.

• Educate clients on soil-to-gut microbiome connections

• Encourage partnerships with local farmers and use tools like the Regenerative Farm Map

  
  

💡 Empowering Clients Through Self-Efficacy – Liz Abel, CNS, LDN

Liz explored the psychology of behavior change using Social Cognitive Theory and Michael Arloski’s wellness coaching framework. Her presentation reframed the clinical encounter as a co-creative, empowering process.

Takeaways:

• Use mastery experiences to build confidence through small wins

• Share vicarious stories to inspire belief in change

• Offer verbal encouragement that’s timely and specific

• Guide clients to recognize physiological shifts tied to stress or progress

Self-efficacy isn’t fluff—it’s a critical lever for long-term success.

🧬 Mycotoxins & Mold Exposure – Tori Trocki, CNS

Tori delivered an eye-opening session on Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), often triggered by mold exposure in water-damaged buildings. These cases are frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood.

Tori’s 5-Step Protocol:

1. Identify exposure through symptom history and screening tools

2. Remove environmental sources to stop the ongoing toxic load

3. Use binders and nutraceuticals to support mycotoxin elimination

4. Reduce inflammation through targeted nutrition and lifestyle

5. Rebuild detox and immune capacity for long-term resilience

Takeaway: When faced with persistent, unexplained symptoms, mold must be part of the clinical differential.

Final Thoughts: Learning Beyond the Toolbox

This ANA conference reminded me that clinical excellence isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about knowing how to stay curious, connected, and collaborative. Our toolbox should evolve, our perspective should widen, and our networks should deepen.

It’s easy to stick with what’s familiar, but real growth—and better client outcomes—happen when we step into spaces that challenge and inspire us. You never know where the next spark of inspiration will come from—a case study, a hallway conversation, a new framework, or a fresh clinical protocol that opens up an entirely new direction for research, practice, or inquiry.

This is why conferences like ANA matter. This is not just for the CEUs but also for the opportunity to re-engage with purpose, see our work through a broader lens, and collaborate across specialties. It’s about more than gaining knowledge—nurturing the community and curiosity that fuel meaningful, integrative, and client-centered care.

References

1. Abel, Liz (2025). Helping Clients Build Self-Efficacy & Its Influence on Health Outcomes. ANA Conference Presentation. Clinician’s Incubator / Nested Health Coach Certification.

2. Nested Health Coach Certification. (2025). https://www.nestedhealth.com – Trauma-informed, 12-week NBHWC-approved training for healthcare professionals.

3. Arloski, M. (2014). Wellness Coaching for Lasting Lifestyle Change. Whole Person Associates.

4. Trocki, Tori (2025). Mycotoxins: A Five-Step Protocol to Combat Mycotoxin-Induced CIRS. ANA Conference Slides.

5. Shoemaker, R. (2018). Diagnostic Process for CIRS: A Consensus Statement. International Medicine Review.

6. Mold Exposure Questionnaire. East Valley Naturopathic Doctors. https://www.eastvalleynd.com

7. Resource Document for Mycotoxin Support (2025). MicroBalance Health Products. https://microbalancehealthproducts.com

8. Snow, Rebecca (2025). Evidence-Based Nutrition for the Postmenopausal Woman. ANA Conference Slides.

9. Sadahiro, R. et al. (2023). Meta-analysis of Black Cohosh for Menopause Symptoms. Journal of Women’s Health.

10. Dubey, A. et al. (2024). Clinical Efficacy of Rhapontic Rhubarb (ERr 731). Journal of Complementary Medicine.

11. Herbal Products in Menopause Lecture – Rebecca Snow. Herbal case studies and product-specific insights (Estrovera, Remifemin, Ayush AdrenOm).

12. Keough, Sara (2025). Soil & Human Health: The Microbiome Connection. ANA Conference Presentation. https://eco-nutrition.com

13. Van Vliet, S. (2023). Metabolomics of Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef. Presented at EcoFarm Conference.

14. Regenerative International Farm Map. https://regenerationinternational.org/regenerative-farm-map

15. Reinagel, Monica (2025). Nutritional Considerations for GLP-1 Medications. ANA Conference Presentation.

16. Rader, Hazen & Brownstein. (2024). Trends in Obesity and GLP-1 Use in the U.S.

17. Konstantinos, M. et al. (2024). GLP-1 Agonists and Muscle Preservation. Journal of Obesity Research.

18. Kim, J.E. et al. (2016). Protein Requirements During Weight Loss. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care.

19. Sims, S.T. & Kerksick, C. (2023). Protein Recommendations for Peri/Post-Menopausal Women. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Statement.

20. Cienfuegos, S. et al. (2021). Time-Restricted Feeding and Body Composition in Postmenopausal Women. Obesity.

21. Vincent, W. et al. (2025). Body Image and Health Behaviors in Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Women’s Health.

22. Carrard, I. et al. (2021). Intuitive Eating and Psychological Health. Appetite.

23. Patterson, R.E. et al. (2015). Intermittent Fasting and Metabolic Health. J Acad Nutr Diet.

24. Monteyne, A. et al. (2021). Plant-Based Protein vs. Omnivore Diet for Muscle Protein Synthesis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

25. Bernatoniene, J. et al. (2021). Isoflavones and Chronic Disease. Int J Mol Sci.

26. Pinckaers, P.J. et al. (2021). Anabolic Response to Plant vs. Animal Protein. Nutrients.