The Better Behavior Show with Dr. Nicole Beurkens

Episode 42: Understanding and Balancing Bacteria and Fungi For Children’s Gut Health

Dec 25, 2019

32:24

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
- 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
- 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
- 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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