The Current Science Behind Probiotics with Zain Kassam, MD, MPH | MGC Ep. 89

Are probiotics really the key to unlocking better gut health? Or are they just another overhyped wellness trend? These are some of the most common questions I get after giving a talk or meeting with a patient.

In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, I sit downwith Dr. Zain Kassam, Chief Medical Officer at Seed Health and a pioneer in the field of microbiome therapeutics. If you’ve ever been curious about how probiotics work, how to choose a high-quality supplement, or whether they actually do more than your diet already provides—this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why the probiotic market is booming—and how Seed Health is setting a new scientific standard.

• The critical differences between synbiotics, probiotics and naturally fermented foods.

• Are most probiotics backed by real science, or is the supplement industry skipping clinical rigor?

• Can probiotics actually go beyond a healthy diet to offer additional health benefits?

• How to navigate the sea of probiotic options: what to look for, what to avoid and what actually matters.

Dr. Kassam brings a rare blend of scientific depth and real-world experience. He received his MPH from Harvard, completed post-doctoral training at MIT, and has co-founded two foundational microbiome companies—OpenBiome and Finch Therapeutics—before joining Seed. His work has redefined the role of the microbiome in medicine, from establishing the first public stool bank to exploring bioengineered probiotics for chronic disease.

If you’re interested in gut health, skeptical about supplement marketing, or just want to understand what’s real and what’s hype when it comes to probiotics, don’t miss this one. Tune in now and join the conversation!

-------

This episode is brought to you by Seed. Supporting your gut health is a journey—one that includes diet, exercise and lifestyle.But sometimes, life gets in the way, and we could use a little extra support. That’s why I recommend Seed’s DS-01®—a probiotic with clinically studied strains and a prebiotic that support gut health, immunity, and heart health.

Use my code MAYER25 for 25% off your first month of Seed, or visit the link here.

Disclaimer: Dr. Mayer is a member of Seed's scientific board.

-------

Learn more at emeranmayer.com

-------

Chapters:0:00 - 1:18 Introduction1:18 - 7:43 What makes Seed different?7:43 - 12:25 The current state of microbiome science12:25 - 17:30 The multi-billion dollar probiotic market17:30 - 28:00 The future of probiotics & what research is showing28:00 - 29:38 Advertisement29:38 - 35:14 Why has 'gut health' become so popular?35:14 - 40:03 Do healthy people need to take a probiotic?40:03 - 41:47 When you should take a probiotic41:47 - 43:22 Does DS-01 replace a healthy diet & lifestyle?43:22 - 47:08 Why should someone choose Seed's DS-01 over another company's probiotic47:08 - 49:30 Are more microbes in a probiotic really beneficial?49:30 - 52:04 More context on why Seed is a leader in the space52:04 - 52:33 Ending