“It’s not that we’ve lost some microbes, it’s actually that we’ve gained others. And the ones that we’ve gained are causing us harm.”

Professor James Kinross is a world-leading microbiome expert and bowel cancer surgeon at Imperial College London. He’s also the author of Dark Matter: The New Science of the Microbiome.

In this episode I ask James about the impact of gut health on all aspects of our bodies, from growth to immune function to brain health and even personality. He also shares advice on the food you should be eating to get your gut health in check - science backed and BS-free.

Stay tuned to find out:

• How the microbiome is modifiable - you’re not doomed to have poor gut health
• How to figure out whether you have a healthy gut, and what that actually looks like
• Whether probiotics are more hype than health
• The important role of fibre in gut health - and how to get more of it
• Why cooking your own food is so important
• How ultra-processed food changes the microbiome
• The environmental factors you can alter to improve gut health

Highlights

(1:35) What is the microbiome?

(4:05) What impacts the development of the microbiome?

(9:44) Combating “bad” gut health

(15:17) Are probiotics any good?

(22:39) De-Westernising your diet

(26:46) Problem of ultra-processed food

(32:48) Impact of the modern environment on gut health

(42:43) Fibre’s role in gut health

(49:39) Are artificial sweeteners ok?

(51:56) Intermittent fasting

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An OG Podcasts production.