The 9th Annual Boca Symposium for Metabolic Health is set to be an exceptional event, offering a comprehensive exploration of the latest metabolic therapies, including therapeutic carbohydrate reduction (TCR), to treat a wide variety of metabolic disorders such as  type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver, PCOS, cardiovascular disease, neurological pathologies and more.

One of the most anticipated aspects of the conference is an entire day—Friday, January 24th—dedicated to Women’s Health and Metabolic Therapies, spearheaded by Jodi Nishida, PharmD, MHP, and Andrea Salcedo, DO, MPH, FACOG. This focus will offer unique insights into the metabolic challenges women face and how innovative approaches can offer better outcomes.

Addressing the Gaps in Women’s Health Care

“Women’s Health is such an underrepresented and misunderstood topic,” says Dr. Nishida. “It’s a huge problem in healthcare today. Too many women are prescribed medications or surgeries with no discussion about diet or lifestyle changes that could prevent or even reverse their conditions. We want to change that, and this conference is a great place to start.”

Dr. Nishida’s commitment to this cause grew from her own clinical experiences, where she witnessed firsthand the inadequacies of standard care for women. “I’ve seen female patients make significant improvements with keto and low-carb lifestyles, but these options are rarely discussed by their traditional healthcare providers. Women’s hormonal health is being mismanaged, and we need to rethink how we approach treatment.”

The day will feature presentations from an all-female lineup of experts who specialize in women’s metabolic health. Topics will include hormonal imbalances, thyroid health, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and female cancers such as breast and uterine cancer. There will also be a focus on non-invasive, nutrition-based approaches to managing these conditions, particularly through the lens of carbohydrate reduction.

“We’ve seen a rise in hormonal imbalances starting even earlier in life,” Dr. Nishida shares. “I had a four-year-old girl in my clinic who had already started her period. This is a major sign that we need to address how modern food and environmental factors, like endocrine disruptors, are affecting women’s health. Medications and surgeries can’t be the only answers.”

A Nuanced Approach to Women’s Metabolic Health

Dr. Andrea Salcedo echoes these concerns, noting that the standard one-size-fits-all approach to metabolic therapies often overlooks the complexities of women’s physiology. “While many women are looking for answers and so many of the concepts of therapeutic carbohydrate restriction apply, there are important nuances that need to be considered—especially when we talk about the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and menopause,” she says.

Dr. Salcedo adds, “Women often say, ‘I tried low-carb or keto, but it didn’t work for me.’ What’s often missing from the conversation is how carbohydrate needs can vary throughout the menstrual cycle. For example, during the luteal phase—right before menstruation—women might need to increase their carb intake slightly to support hormone balance. It’s this kind of nuance that we’ll be addressing in Boca.

Why These Issues Are Critical for Women’s Health

In addition to addressing hormonal imbalances, the conference will dive deep into how chronic conditions like endometriosis, PCOS influenced by insulin resistance and infertility that goes along with it, and even female cancers are connected to metabolic dysfunction. 

Dr. Salcedo will present on endometriosis and the gut microbiome, shedding light on recent research that links gut health with the management of this chronic condition. “Endometriosis has traditionally been treated as a hormone problem, but now we know there’s more to the story—particularly the role of gut dysbiosis and inflammation. Nutritional interventions, including probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids, are showing promise as part of a more holistic treatment plan.”

These issues are not only important because they affect a large portion of the female population, but because women’s health is often overlooked or oversimplified in mainstream healthcare. As Dr. Nishida pointed out, “The food we eat today is not the same as 50 or 100 years ago. To give women the same advice in a completely different nutritional environment makes no sense. Every keto doctor I know took the time to learn these things on their own because we weren’t taught this in medical school, but we knew it could make a huge difference in patient outcomes.”

Invaluable Learning and Networking Opportunities for Attendees

Attendees at this year’s conference, whether healthcare providers, researchers, or individuals seeking better health, will benefit in several key ways. For healthcare providers, this is a chance to learn how to better serve female patients by understanding the critical role that nutrition and metabolic health play in treating common conditions like infertility, heavy periods, and menopause-related symptoms.

“For providers, we’ll also have a special breakout session where we can discuss these issues in more detail, network, and learn from one another,” adds Dr. Nishida. “This kind of collaboration is invaluable.”

For patients and non-clinicians, the symposium offers the chance to engage directly with experts who are at the cutting edge of women’s metabolic health. “You don’t just attend the talks,” says Dr. Salcedo. “You get to interact with the speakers, ask questions, and share your experiences. The sense of community is strong, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for everyone to learn, whether you’re a patient, coach, or provider.”

A Full Spectrum of Metabolic Health Topics

While the focus on women’s health is a major highlight, the symposium will also cover the wide range of metabolic health topics attendees have come to expect. From diabetes management to obesity treatment, cardiovascular health, and metabolic therapies for mental health, to the global impact public health policies could have if they included carbohydrate reduction, attendees will leave with a wealth of knowledge applicable to their personal health or professional practice.

In addition to the main event, a special bonus workshop is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, January 23rd. This workshop will focus on the implementation of ketogenic and therapeutic carbohydrate reduction therapies, offering attendees practical tools and strategies to successfully incorporate these therapies into their clinical practice or personal health journey. It’s an excellent opportunity to dive deeper into these life-changing therapies before the symposium officially begins.

In addition to this, the Symposium offers 20.75 Prescribed Category 1 CME credits and 4 years of CEU credit for NASN practitioners.

If you aren’t one of the many who’ve already signed up, Register Now and Save 10%

The 9th Annual Symposium for Metabolic Health in Boca Raton, Florida, is shaping up to be an event you don’t want to miss. With expert-led presentations, focused discussions on women’s health, and plenty of networking opportunities, this is the place to learn, grow, and become part of a community dedicated to improving metabolic health.

View the list of confirmed speakers and the Full Schedule here. Use code Holidays to save 10%.

Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience in January 2025!