2026 Conference | Innovations in the Evaluation and Management of Sarcopenia | David Barry, ND, DC, PhD

Abstract: Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder characterized by the loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, which contributes significantly to frailty, falls, and functional decline in older adults. Since its formal recognition as a disease entity, its identification and management have become clinical priorities in aging and primary care. This session offers an evidence-based overview of sarcopenia’s etiology and pathophysiology, including endocrine, inflammatory, and neuromuscular contributors. Participants will learn to apply validated screening and assessment tools and explore internationally accepted diagnostic frameworks. Emerging research into the gut–muscle axis and microbiome-derived metabolites will be discussed, highlighting their relevance to muscle anabolism and chronic inflammation. Clinical strategies—including resistance exercise, nutrient optimization, and microbiome modulation—will be presented within an evidence-informed naturopathic framework, equipping clinicians with practical tools to identify individuals at risk of sarcopenia, apply validated assessment methods, and implement personalized, integrative treatment plans that support muscle health and functional independence in older adults.

Speaker bio: Dr. David Barry is a Senior Research Fellow in Clinical Gerontology at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) in Melbourne, Australia. He is a Doctor of Naturopathy (Bastyr University) and Chiropractic (National University of Health Sciences) and previously practiced as a Naturopathic Physician and Chiropractor in Washington State before relocating to Australia in 2011. Dr. Barry has extensive experience conducting investigator-led and commercially-sponsored clinical trials across multiple disciplines, including gastroenterology and rheumatology. His PhD thesis investigated associations between the gut microbiome and sarcopenia, reflecting his broader research focus on the links between microbiome health, nutrition, and aging. A former Senior Lecturer in Naturopathy and Nutrition at Endeavour College of Natural Health in Melbourne, Dr. Barry remains committed to advancing integrative, evidence-based approaches to healthy aging. He is also the author of the Sarcopenia chapter in the Textbook of Natural Medicine (5th Edition).

(Originally presented May 1-3, 2026, at WANP's 2026 annual conference.)