The Mind-Gut Conversation Podcast

Dr. Gibson is an associate professor at the department of biology and microbiology and the head of the center for microbiome and inflammatory research. She is especially interested in the role of gut microbiome interactions in infants and the role of dietary fat on gut health and gut microbial health.   View this podcast in video format: https://youtu.be/c5UXllI8uVI?list=PLNPMMdnvzZIllHHdaaNmoJ1GbDedI0TJX Follow Dr. Mayer: https://linktr.ee/emayer

Dr. Ghosh is a member of the institute for healthy living and chronic disease prevention at UBC, and has a long-standing interest in dietary fats and exercise in preventing metabolic disease. To see the video format of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/UNYR_bXLO4U Follow Dr. Mayer: https://linktr.ee/emayer

While everybody talks about the health benefits of antioxidants, they are part of a larger group of molecules that plants produce, the polyphenols. These large molecules not only have a wide range of health benefits for the plants that produce them, but also for our gut microbes and for our overall health. Together with fiber, polyphenols are probably the most important reason underlying the health benefits of a largely plant based diet.  There are few experts who are more qualified about this subject than Dr. Daniele Del Rio, who is an Associate Professor and the Head, School of Advanced Studies on Food and Nutrition University of Parma, Italy. He is a world renowned expert on the fascinating group of health promoting molecules called polyphenols. If you want to learn more about Dr. Del Rio's research and publications, go to http://loop.frontiersin.org/people/109503/overview If you would like to see the video format of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/mVJpU3GtRCA Follow Dr. Mayer: https://linktr.ee/emayer

One of the most intriguing scientific questions in the field of microbiome science is the question of how the trillions of microbes living in our gut communicate with our brain, and what influence this communication has on our mind and our our health. Dr. Elaine Hsiao, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology at UCLA is an internationally recognized authority on the interactions between the gut microbes, the immune system and the brain. She has published seminal papers on the role of the gut microbiome in mouse models of autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy and has won numerous awards.   To see the video format of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/5kdD1t3UEao Follow Dr. Mayer: https://linktr.ee/emayer

Even though many similarities in biological brain mechanisms have been identified between individuals with substance abuse and uncontrollable craving for food, the term “food addiction” has remained a controversial term. However, based on questionnaire assessment, at least 20% of obese patients suffer from food addiction, with the percentage going much higher with increasing BMI. Dr. Ifland is a leading authority in processed food addiction as the lead author/editor of "Processed Food Addiction: Foundations, Assessment and Recovery” published by CRC Press. She was selected as a food addiction specialist by the Oprah Winfrey Network show, "The Book of John Gray."  She is the CEO of Food Addiction Reset, a powerful program to help people gain control of their food. Its design is based on the food addiction model described in her book. To see the video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/kpEzKInn1gI Follow Dr. Mayer: https://linktr.ee/emayer

Is pot good for us? There are few medicinal plants that have stirred up as much excitement and expectations than cannabis.  After decades of demonizing cannabis products as a threat to our mental health and as a dangerous drug, its legalization in Canada and in several US states has made it a target of intense scientific research and has promoted its widespread use for a variety of chronic medical conditions. There are few experts who are more qualified about this subject than Dr.Matthew Hill, who is an Associate Professor at the the Departments of Cell Biology, Anatomy and Psychiatry at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary in Calgary.  Dr. Hill is an internationally recognized authority on the interactions between the endocannabinoid system and stress and has played an important role in the recent legalization of cannabis in Canada.   To see the video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/3xo66VSr1Lk Follow Dr. Mayer: https://linktr.ee/emayer

There are many ways one can look at the benefit of a particular diet, and most of these perspectives are based on what is good for the consumer.  But when it comes to the aspect of plant based diets and compassion towards animals, there are few individuals who can match Gene Baur’s authority and track record, and it is for that reason that Gene has been called the “conscience of the food movement” by Time Magazine. Gene is the co founder and president of Farm Sanctuary, America's leading farm animal protection organization.  He played a significant role in passing the first U.S. laws to prohibit cruel farming systems - including the California ban on foie gras. His efforts have been covered by leading news organizations, and his books, entitled: Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food, and Living the Farm Sanctuary Life - The ultimate guide to eating mindfully, living longer, and feeling better every day.  Watch the video format of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/1993GTRSx1w Follow Dr. Mayer: https://linktr.ee/emayer

While modern agriculture produces unprecedented amount of food to feed a growing world population, its practices come with a considerable collateral damage on the environment, on soil health, and on the welfare of farm animals. Of the growing number of entrepreneurs who have successfully embarked on creating an alternative to the prevalent agribusiness model, Paul Grieve, co-founder and CEO of PastureBird – the country’s largest supplier of real pasture raised, free-range chicken stands out. Paul has turned a personal health problem into an innovative and highly successful farm operation that generates animal based foods in a way that is good for the environment and our own health. He talks about how his farm raises pastured chickens, rebuilds healthy, regenerative soils and grasslands, and coexists with wildlife. Watch the video format of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/ThM8ZU2H0G0 Follow Dr. Mayer: https://linktr.ee/emayer

The link between Alzheimer’s disease and diet has been investigated and discussed for decades, a new book by Dr. Martha Morris, Director of the MIND Center for Brain Health at Rush University uniquely reviews the science and presents this topic to the lay public together with practical information about a diet to counteract and treat cognitive decline in her new book: Diet for the MIND, the latest Science on what to eat to prevent Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline. Dr. Martha Clare Morris is Professor of Epidemiology and Director of the Section of Nutrition and Nutritional Epidemiology in the Department of Internal Medicine of Rush University. She is an international authority on the role of diet and cognitive function, and the PI of large community studies of risk factors for the development of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline and other health problems of older persons.     Watch the video format of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/yDOVHg2K4Ss Follow Dr. Mayer: https://linktr.ee/emayer

There is a growing awareness that a largely plant based diet has significant health benefits not only for us, but also for the planet.  Few health experts are more qualified to talk about the topic of such healthy diets than Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a board-certified family physician, six-time New York Times best-selling author and internationally recognized expert on nutrition and natural healing, who specializes in preventing and reversing disease through nutritional methods. For over 25 years, Dr. Fuhrman has shown that it is possible to achieve sustainable weight loss and reverse heart disease, diabetes and many other illnesses using smart nutrition. His latest national best-selling book is called "Eat To Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for fast and sustained weight loss". Watch the video format of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/uooKGyDLQVQ Follow Dr. Emeran Mayer, MD: https://linktr.ee/emayer