Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition

The Gut-Mind Doctor: The Mind and Food Strategies That Can Heal Your Gut Microbiome | Dr. Emeran Mayer

Mar 19, 2025

01:21:17

Did you know that a significant number of IBS patients struggle with anxiety and depression? This stark reality drives home why it's crucial to view the brain and gut not as separate but as intricately linked systems.

In today's Live Well Be Well episode, I sit down with Dr. Emeran Mayer, a leading expert in the brain-gut connection. Together, we explore how this connection influences our overall health, emphasising the need for a holistic approach to both mental and gut health. Dr. Mayer explains how stress impacts our gut health just as significantly as diet does and discusses the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and other stress-management techniques in treating gut-related issues.

This conversation delves into:

✔️ The two-way communication between our brain and gut.

✔️ The role of stress in gut health and effective stress-reduction techniques.

✔️ The importance of a microbiota-friendly diet rich in fiber and polyphenols.

✔️ Debunking myths around digestive enzymes, types of milk, and sweeteners.

✔️ The influence of environmental factors like plastics on our gut health.

✔️ How psychedelic therapy is emerging as a potential treatment for gut health issues linked to psychological stress.

Dr. Mayer leaves us with a profound definition of what it means to Live Well Be Well - that true wellness comes not just from what we eat in isolation, but from leading a life that's good for ourselves, our communities, and the planet.

Who is Dr. Emeran Mayer?

Dr. Mayer is a prominent gastroenterologist and neuroscientist, recognized for his extensive research on the brain-gut connection. With professorships at UCLA and authorship of significant works like "The Mind-Gut Connection" and "The Gut-Immune Connection," Dr. Mayer advocates for a comprehensive approach to health that marries diet with lifestyle modifications to enhance both mental and physical well-being.

👉 Connect with Dr. Emeran Mayer:

Website: https://emeranmayer.com/
Instagram: @emeranmayer

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If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:

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How to Prevent Alzheimer’s and Boost Your Brain Health with These PROVEN Foods | The Brain Docs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKEvPm11R3o

The Surprising Spice That Reduces Inflammation FAST! Dr Kanchan Koya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbbwZDjqlQY

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Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

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Highlights:

The Mind-Gut Connection: Key Statistics and Importance (0:00)

Link Between Anxiety, Depression, and Gut Disorders (2:42)

How Diet Impacts IBS and IBD (5:48)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Its Impact on Gut Health (10:47)

The Impact of Stress on Gut Health (20:34)

Digestive Enzymes: Myths vs Facts (26:11)

Enhancing Gut Health through Microbiota-Focused Nutrition (36:44)

Plant-Based vs. Dairy Milk for Gut Health (40:03)

The Impact of Microplastics on Gut Health (44:22)

Harmful Food Additives: What to Avoid for Better Gut Health (51:31)