When most people think about the gut, they primarily think about digestion and nutrient assimilation. But the humble gut plays a pivotal role in your overall health. In fact, having a healthy gut is one of the most essential pieces of human health. It serves as the foundation for many critical functions and processes in the body, including immune health, modulating inflammation, brain health, and so much more.

Today’s guest, Dr. Emeran Mayer, is a renowned gastroenterologist, acclaimed author, and one of the world’s leading experts on the brain-gut connection. He’s back on The Model Health Show to discuss the all-encompassing role of the gut, and how it can impact everything from body composition to susceptibility to diseases.

This interview is jam-packed with information on how your gut health impacts your metabolic health, why microbes are a powerful impact on human wellness, and why nutrition is an influential factor on your gut health, microbial health, and overall well-being. Arming yourself with knowledge about gut health is an important strategy we can all utilize, and there’s no one better to learn from than Dr. Emeran Mayer. Enjoy!

In this episode you’ll discover:

How the vagus nerve can impact absorption of calories.
The role the gut plays in the development of obesity.
How many microbes we have in our gut, and their function.
Why changes in our food supply have harmed our collective health.
The connection between ultra-processed food, microbes, and inflammation.
What short chain fatty acids are.
How an unhealthy diet impacts microbes.
The disconnect between nutrition and healthcare.
How rates of chronic illness are affecting younger people.
Why chronic stress can lead to gut permeability.
How vaginal birth impacts the microbiome.
Three components that make ultra-processed food addictive.
Why exposure to fermented food is important for children.
The four F’s of a healthy diet.
Why interconnectedness is a profound part of health.

Items mentioned in this episode include:

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Jörg Dräger (Bertelsmann Stiftung) – „Wir sollten in der Schule lernen, wie wir zukünftig leben.“