Justin Sonnenburg

Dr. Justin Sonnenburg, a Professor at Stanford University, is a leading expert on the gut microbiome's impact on health. He discusses how our gut architecture varies and is influenced by diet, environmental factors, and genetics. A fascinating highlight is his research showing that fermented foods boost microbiota diversity and reduce inflammation. Sonnenburg also addresses how modern diets, particularly high in processed foods, negatively affect gut health. Listeners gain actionable tips for improving their gut microbiome through diet without breaking the bank.

Dr. Justin Sonnenburg, a Stanford professor and researcher, dives into the fascinating world of gut health. He explains how our microbiome shapes mental and physical well-being and discusses the detrimental effects of antibiotics and Western diets. Sonnenburg shares insights on the importance of fiber and fermented foods in promoting gut diversity and reducing inflammation. He also offers caution on the use of probiotics and purified fibers, emphasizing whole, diverse plant sources for optimal gut health.

Dr. Justin Sonnenburg Dr. Justin Sonnenburg is an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford and Dr. Erica Sonnenburg is a senior research scientist in the Sonnenburg lab where they research many aspects the interaction between diet with the 100 trillion or so bacteria in the gut (specifically the colon) and how this impacts the health of the host (which in this case is a laboratory research mouse). In this episode, we discuss... (00:00) Introduction (02:50) What is the gut microbiota? (08:10) A lack of dietary fiber starves the gut microbiota (16:13) The close interplay of our gut and immune system (17:58) Connecting the dots between the gut, immune system, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases (20:45) A diet with a variety of fibers promotes microbiome diversity and health (25:30) Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota (29:00) Individualized responses to repeated antibiotic perturbation (30:27) The risks of antibiotic overuse (32:10) Probiotics can support a healthy microbiota following antibiotics (38:05) Factors during birth and infancy that influence microbiome development If you're interested in learning more, you can read the full show notes here. Join over 300,000 people and get the latest distilled information straight to your inbox weekly: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/newsletter Become a FoundMyFitness premium member to get access to exclusive episodes, emails, live Q+A's with Rhonda and more: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/crowdsponsor