The Better Behavior Show with Dr. Nicole Beurkens Episode 42: Understanding and Balancing Bacteria and Fungi For Children’s Gut Health
My guest this week is Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, a world-renowned microbiome researcher who named the mycobiome and founder of the leading antifungal clinical testing company, Next Trillion Sciences. Dr. Ghannoum lectures extensively across the world on the microbiome from the Pasteur Institute in France to the National Institute of Health (NIH). His work has been published in over 450 peer-reviewed papers and cited over 21,000 times. Dr. Ghannoum has been actively funded by the NIH continuously since 1991 for his work studying the fungal and bacterial communities in our body and has been involved in the development of 95% of the antifungals that have come to market since the 1990s.
In this episode, Dr. Ghannoum and I discuss the importance of understanding and balancing good bacteria and fungi for your child’s gut microbiome. Assessing gut health in children plays an important role in their overall health, especially for children with behavioral disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and autism. Imbalances in the gut like candida overgrowth can surface in a variety of symptoms such as irritability, hyperactivity, stomach aches, diarrhea, pain, and fatigue. To learn more about balancing your family’s gut health and Dr. Ghannoum and his latest book, Total Gut Balance, click here.
Episode Highlights
The Good vs. Bad in the Mycobiome
- Low levels or abundance of candida can help us break down complex molecules and nutrients that we eat like complex carbohydrates
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- Saccharomyces Boulardii or baker’s yeast is good yeast in our body that can keep candida under control
- The candida levels are high and create an overgrowth
Disruptors of Our Fungal Community
- Over the counter products such as non-steroidal analgesic or painkillers and antacids
- Excessive stress levels
- Lack of a balanced diet and exercise
Destressors For Kids and Adults
- Spending time outdoors
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- Playing in the yard and being exposed to dirt helps diversify the microbiome
- Taking walks or hikes together as a family
- Engaging in less screen time activity and more physical outdoor activity
Signs of an Imbalanced Gut
- Listen to your body
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- Take note of signs of fatigue, pain, diarrhea, stomach issues, etc.
- If possible, you can have your stool tested to analyze your gut health
- See Dr. Ghannoum’s guide in his new book, Total Gut Balance
Where to learn more about Dr. Ghannoum...
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