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Nutrition 221 — The Gut/Brain Connection is a two-hour PACE nutrition CE webinar examining the bidirectional communication network linking the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. The course covers the enteric nervous system as the "second brain," how gut-barrier dysregulation and neuroinflammation drive anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum findings, and how nutritional modulation can improve clinical outcomes for patients with gut-brain axis dysfunction.
Instructor Howard Benedikt, DC, DCBCN — President of the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition — draws on 46+ years of clinical nutrition practice to connect emerging gut-brain research to practical patient management strategies. Chiropractors earn 2 CE hours toward license renewal.
Howard Benedikt, DC, DCBCN is President of the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition, Board-Certified Chiropractic Clinical Nutritionist, 46+ years in practice, M.S. Human Nutrition CW Post/LIU, and Lead Clinical Nutrition Faculty at CCEDseminars. He delivers PACE- and board-approved curricula via Texas Chiropractic College, holds adjunct positions at New York Chiropractic College and Berkeley College NY, and practices in midtown Manhattan.
What is the enteric nervous system and why does it matter to chiropractors?
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is an independent neural network embedded in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, containing over 500 million neurons — more than the spinal cord. Often called the "second brain," the ENS regulates gut motility, secretion, and immune function while communicating bidirectionally with the central nervous system via the vagus nerve. Chiropractors who understand ENS dysfunction can better explain the systemic clinical presentations — fatigue, mood changes, musculoskeletal pain — that accompany chronic gut dysfunction.
How does gut barrier dysfunction contribute to anxiety and depression?
When tight junctions in the intestinal epithelium break down, bacterial fragments (LPS), undigested proteins, and microbial metabolites enter systemic circulation and trigger immune activation. The resulting neuroinflammation — driven by pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α — disrupts neurotransmitter synthesis, activates the HPA axis, and impairs neuroplasticity. Research consistently links gut dysbiosis and elevated intestinal permeability to major depressive disorder and anxiety, with microbiome modulation emerging as a viable therapeutic target.
What is the gut-autism connection covered in Nutrition 221?
Up to 80% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience gastrointestinal problems. Research shows significant differences in gut microbiome composition in ASD children compared to neurotypical controls, with increased Firmicutes and reduced Bacteroidetes. The gut-brain axis is implicated in ASD through altered serotonin signaling, short-chain fatty acid production, and vagal pathway dysregulation. Nutrition 221 reviews the evidence and explores how dietary and microbiome interventions may modulate ASD symptom expression.
Is Nutrition 221 PACE-approved for chiropractic license renewal?
Yes. Nutrition 221 is PACE-approved for chiropractic license renewal in most U.S. states. Visit the CCEDseminars State CE Guidelines page to confirm your state or region's requirements before enrolling.
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