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Beyond Turmeric: A Cultural & Ayurvedic Approach to Gut Microbiome Diversity

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

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Stars at Night B1

CPE: 1.0

Proficiency: Intermediate knowledge/experience

Tracks: Chronic Disease Prevention & Management, Gut Health & the Microbiome

Theme: Food, Culture & Connection

Description

Turmeric often takes the spotlight, but Ayurveda offers a rich foundation of foods, spices, and therapies that support digestive health and microbial diversity. This session introduces Registered Dietitians to key Ayurvedic spices such as cumin, fennel, coriander, ginger, and black pepper along with foods like ghee, buttermilk, and herbal infusions, as well as mind–body therapies such as abhyanga and shirodhara. Participants will explore how these practices influence digestion, motility, inflammation, microbial composition, and the gut–brain axis. As interest grows in culturally inclusive approaches to gut health, this session bridges Ayurvedic wisdom with modern microbiome science, providing practical strategies for integrating these foods, spices, and therapies into personalized, evidence-informed care.

Learning Objectives

  • Learn about key Ayurvedic spices and foods influence digestion, gut motility, and microbial diversity, and connect these mechanisms to current microbiome science.
  • Describe cultural Ayurvedic foods such as ghee, buttermilk, and herbal infusions and evaluate their potential role in supporting GI health within diverse client populations.
  • Integrate Ayurvedic nutrition principles and culturally inclusive digestive practices into care plan for clients with Digestive health concerns, and stress-related digestive imbalances.

Performance Indicators

  • 2.1.4 Applies knowledge of cultural foods, religious traditions, eating patterns, client values, and food and nutrition principles when developing nutrition and dietetics services to be comprehensive of all individuals in target population.
  • 7.8.1 Masters and maintains current and evidence-based knowledge within subject areas.
  • 9.4.1 Gains an understanding of integrative and functional medicine models and interventions and how these models and interventions are applied to nutrition and dietetics service.

Speaker

  • Gauri Junnarkar photo

    Gauri Junnarkar

    Registered Dietitian Certified Diabetes Educator, AyurNutrition

    Gauri is an accomplished Author, International Keynote speaker, and Ayurveda, Nutrition & wellness expert with 17+ years of experience in Integrative Health. As the Founder of ‘Ayurnutrition’, an integrative wellness practice, she melds Ayurvedic wisdom with modern nutrition in DFW, Texas. She's a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, Ayurveda Practitioner (Vaidya), and Panchakarma Specialist, specializing in Diabetes, Digestive health, Weight management, metabolic disorders, and Women’s health. She offers personalized nutrition & Ayurveda consultations, comprehensive programs, engaging webinars, immersive events, rejuvenating retreats, corporate wellness solutions, and enlightening healthy cooking demonstrations. A co-author of two Amazon-published books, she hosts a YouTube channel and podcast. Renowned for her insightful talks, she's spoken at international conferences, promoting the profound connection between mind and body. Through Ayurveda & Nutrition, Gauri empowers people to make informed choices for a healthier and more balanced life. life. Learn more Gauri at www.ayurnutrition.com

Moderator

  • Zarana Parekh photo

    Zarana Parekh

    Registered Dietitian, NutriliciousbyZ

    Zarana Parekh, RD, IFNCP, is a Registered Dietitian and Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in clinical nutrition and wellness. She specializes in functional and integrative nutrition with a focus on gut health, metabolism, digestive disorders, inflammation, and chronic disease management. Zarana is passionate about helping individuals understand the connection between nutrition, lifestyle, and overall health through evidence-based and personalized care. Her approach combines clinical expertise with functional nutrition principles to identify root causes and support sustainable health outcomes. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with clients experiencing digestive concerns, metabolic dysfunction, food sensitivities, and complex chronic health conditions. She is recognized for translating complex nutrition science into practical, actionable strategies that empower individuals to make informed health decisions. In addition to her clinical practice, Zarana is actively involved in professional education and community outreach through presentations, workshops, podcasts, and speaking engagements. She is committed to advancing awareness of the important role nutrition plays in long-term health and disease prevention. Her professional background, combined with her compassionate and client-centered approach, has made her a trusted resource in the field of functional and integrative nutrition.

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