Gut Microbiome Management (Human)

Life changing online course teaches management of the gut microbiome for superior wellbeing. Learn to manage the gut microbiome for improved health outcomes, starting today.

Course Code: BSC311
Fee Code: S3
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification Statement of Attainment
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Learn to manage the gut microbiome for improved health outcomes.

Microbiome management is for people who:

  • need more energy
  • suffer chronic pain conditions
  • have disturbed sleep
  • experience low immune responses
  • experience digestive discomfort
  • Suffer autoimmune disorders
  • are stressed or overwhelmed
  • have mood disturbance
  • practice restrictive diets or fasting

Course Aim: Explain the microbe world residing in the human gut, and how it effects nutrition, immunity, mental health, mood, and behaviour.

Study Gut Microbiome Management to Help Yourself of Others ~ Take control over your life ~ Life Changing Course 


Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

  1. Scope and Nature of the Human Gut Microbiome
    • Introduction - What is the microbiome?
    • The Gastrointestinal Tract
    • Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine
    • How the Gut Microbiome is Established (Birth and Breastfeeding)
    • Maintaining the Gut Microbiome as Adults
    • Diet and Nutrition
    • Lifestyle and Other Factors
    • The Gut Microbiome Effect
    • Contribution to Metabolic Function
    • Protect Against Pathogens
    • Educating the Immune System
    • Gut Microbe Disruption and Dysbiosis
    • Dysbiosis
  2. Genetics, Metagenomics and Metabolomics
    • Bioinformatics
    • Microbiome Heritability
    • Health Hereditary
    • Metabolomics
    • Technologies
    • Bacteria Metabolism
    • Short-Chain Fatty Acids
    • Organic Acids
    • Vitamins
    • DNA Sequencing Technologies
    • Next Generation Sequencing
    • Applications of PCR and DNA Sequencing
    • Metagenomics
    • Samples and Sampling Techniques and Considerations
    • The Human Microbiome Project
    • Bacterial Genomic Contribution to Human Survival
  3. Diversity and Characteristics of Biota
    • Introduction
    • A fine balance - beneficial and detrimental biota
    • Prebiotics
    • Probiotics
    • Natural Probiotics
    • Probiotic Supplements
    • Synbiotics
    • Understanding Microbe Classification
    • Types of Bacteria
    • Major Bacterial Phylum Present in the Gut
    • Actinobacteria
    • Bacteroidetes
    • Firmicutes
    • Proteobacteria
    • Bad Biota
    • Nurturing a Healthy Gut
    • Diet and Antibiotics Typical Reponses
  4. Maintaining the Gut Environment
    • Introduction
    • Anatomy Overview
    • Stomach
    • Small Intestine Environment
    • Large Intestine Environment
    • Managing the Large Intestine
    • Diarrhea
    • Digestion
    • Microbiome & Hormones
    • Microbiome and Allergies
    • Microbe Imbalance
    • Gut Dysbiosis
    • Inflammation - Function and Process
    • Biosensors
    • Gut Health Treatment
    • Probiotics and Other Supplements
    • Nutrition-based Interventions
    • Lifestyle Practices including Stress
    • Faecal Microbiota Transplant
  5. Diseases and Immunity
    • Introduction
    • Immunity
    • Types of Resistance
    • Phagocytes
    • Natural Killer Cells
    • The Inflammatory Response
    • Nausea and Vomiting
    • Digestive Disorders
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
    • Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
    • Diverticulitis
    • Polyps
    • Future Research
    • Fungi and Bacteriophages - Treatment in Disease
    • Beyond Traditional Probiotics
  6. Managing Diet and Nutrition
    • Homeostasis and Microbiota
    • How Nutrition affects Homeostasis
    • Function Foods and Gut Health
    • Fermented Foods
    • Prebiotic Foods
    • Probiotics
    • Plant Foods
    • Polyphenols
    • Fibre
    • Dairy Produce
    • The Importance of Water
    • Water Absorption
    • Practical Ways to Improve the Gut
    • Supplements
    • Gut Transit Time
    • Coeliac Disease
    • Intermittent Fasting & Microbial Activity
  7. The Gut-Brain-Axis
    • What Are Psychobiotics?
    • Probiotics
    • The Interaction Between the Mind and Body
    • The Gut-Brain Axis
    • Animal Research on Psychobiotics
    • Neurotransmitters
    • Tryptophan and Serotonin
    • GABA
    • Stress Hormones
    • Human Research on Psychobiotics
    • Findings on Depression and Anxiety
    • Psychobiotics and Other Mental Health Conditions
    • Issues with Psychobiotic Research
    • The Future of Psychobiotics
  8. Applications of Gut Microbiome Management
    • Cultivate and Grow the Gut Microbiome
    • Pre-Schoolers and Young Children
    • Behaviour and Temperament
    • Sleep Disturbance
    • Cognition and Learning
    • Teenagers and Young Adults
    • Endocrine system support supporting hormonal changes
    • Immunity
    • Adults
    • Autoimmune (conditions)
    • Stress
    • Arthritis & Pain Management
    • Grief and Emotional Disturbances
    • Eating to Improve Microbiota
    • Other Strategies to Enhance Microbiota

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

  • Describe the nature of the human gut microbiome and its overall effect on the body.
  • Describe how genetics influence the gut microbiome and how the use of metagenomics and metabolomics has enhanced our understanding of its functioning.
  • Distinguish influencing factors on microbial colonies, which produce good or bad outcomes on human health.
  • Explain how the gut can be managed to achieve good health, thus avoiding dysbiosis.
  • Distinguish common diseases of the GI tract, the role of immunity in fighting gastrointestinal disease and advances in microbiome treatments of disease.
  • Explain the effect diet and nutrition has on the gut microbiome.
  • Explain the gut-brain axis and how it affects our mood, behaviour, and mental health.
  • Analyse and combine theory with functional strategies to enhance microbiome diversity and abundance.

What You Will Do

  • Investigate how gut microbes are established at the beginning of life.
  • Produce a glossary of key terms to support foundational information.
  • Research companies online that conduct metagenomics for consumers in your country.
  • Go to a health food store, pharmacy, chemist, or other retailer selling biota as dietary supplements. Review the range of products on the shelves.
  • Research tests which can be conducted to check for dysbiosis.
  • Consider an immune centric or inflammatory diet. Draw up an appropriate diet plan.
  • Create an educational resource resembling an information leaflet found in a healthcare setting.
  • Connect with organisations that support sufferers of the nutrition disease/disorder – subscribe to newsletters, follow blogs and social media pages, sign up for quality resources such as ebooks.
  • Talk with people who have experienced any of the conditions outlined in the lesson and who have used probiotic supplements to ‘treat’ the condition or support their health.
  • Design a specific set of guidelines for microbiome management for a specified scenario.
  • Watch 2-3 videos on one of the following topics: dysregulation of intestinal mucosal immunity or regulation of behaviour through microbiome management.
  • Write a lunch or dinner recipe for someone who has been purging the upper GI tract for 3 weeks and has returned to taking high potency multi-species probiotics but wants to add a selection of prebiotics.

This course is:

  • rooted in cutting-edge nutritional science
  • for those who want to understand "why"
  • an opportunity to delve into microbiology  
  • written by experts in microbial science, nutrition and psychology 
  • tutor-supported for help and guidance if needed 
  • designed with tasks which encourage authentic learning 
  • suited for a learner with no prior knowledge of the subject 
  • a complementary subject to therapeutic nutrition, health food production, microbiology and mental health courses 
ACS is an Organisational Member of the Association for Coaching (UK).

ACS is a Member of the Complementary Medicine Association.

Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

ACS is a Member of the Permaculture Association (membership number 14088).

Principal John Mason is a member of the ANZMH. ACS Students are invited to join


How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

Simply click on the ENROL OPTIONS button at the top of this screen and follow the prompts.

You can see the course price at the top of this page. Click 'enrolment options' to see any payment options available.

You can pay by Credit Card, PayPal, Afterpay or bank transfer.

Yes! We have payment plans for most courses. Click 'enrolment options' to see the available payment plans.
We also have Afterpay that will allow you to pay for your course or payment plans in four instalments (if you are in Australia).


What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.

We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.


Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.


How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.


What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.


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Please get in touch with studentservices@acs.edu.au if you would like to be removed from our mail list.

If you would like ACS Distance Education to delete your information at any time (whether you are a customer or a prospective customer), please contact our privacy officer and we will process this ( admin@acs.edu.au ).




Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

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In my role within a large Aged Care Facility a great deal of my employment is spent in the area of Turf management and garden care/refurbishment. With ACS I was able to study at my own pace allowing me to put into practise and thoroughly research the subject matter broadening my knowledge and study experience further. I enjoyed the way in which the subject matter was presented as it allowed you to study each subject further, allowing for greater depth, clarity and knowledge.
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