FX Medicine Podcast Central

Join Dr Brad Leech and ambassador Lisa Costa-Bir on her inaugural podcast on all things gut inflammation. Brad breaks down the importance of functional testing for assessing inflammation, with a detailed discussion on interpreting the four major tests: calprotectin, lactoferrin, occult blood and secretory IgA. Learn about the importance of personalising treatment for patients with gut inflammation and how to effectively use (and dose) key anti-inflammatory herbs and nutrients for optimal efficacy. Clinical take-homes for use in your practice will also include dietary recommendations and an interesting discussion on colon cleansing. COVERED IN THIS EPISODE (00:50) Welcoming Dr Brad Leech (02:02) Intestinal inflammation vs intestinal permeability (03:29) Signs and symptoms of intestinal inflammation (06:43) Functional assessments for intestinal inflammation (23:41) How the microbiome influences intestinal inflammation (36:05) When should we test our patients? (42:07) Treatment options for combating intestinal inflammation (46:32) Which diets improve intestinal inflammation and why? (50:00) Colon cleansing: do or don’t? (53:08) Thanking Brad and key takeaways Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/intestinal-inflammation-clinical-definition-testing-treatment Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

In this podcast, clinical herbalist Todd Mansfield joins naturopath Lisa Costa-Bir to explore the under-recognised role of small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO) in chronic gut dysfunction - especially in cases where SIBO treatment has repeatedly failed. Together, they unpack the clinical presentation of SIFO, from systemic symptoms to stubborn digestive complaints, and discuss how to differentiate fungal overgrowth using tools like organic acids testing (OAT), fatty acid fractions, pancreatic elastase results, and bowel motility assessments. Todd shares his comprehensive herbal strategy - including horopito, galangal, and magnolia bark - as well as probiotic, prebiotic and postbiotic interventions, with detailed commentary on dosing, mechanisms, and synergistic effects. This episode is a must-listen for practitioners managing complex or treatment-resistant gut presentations, offering a new lens to evaluate and address chronic dysbiosis, inflammation, and relapse-prone cases. Covered in this episode: (00:58) Welcome Todd Mansfield (04:23) Candida is meant to be there? (05:53) Sign and symptoms of fungal overgrowth? (10:17) From commensal to problem (13:16) Antibiotics (17:18) Autoimmunity and SIFO (20:51) SIFO testing (25:29) B2 deficiency (30:50) Management strategies (38:11) Dysbiosis (39:46) Herbal tinctures? (45:57) Length of treatment (48:03) Probiotics? (52:10) Prebiotics (56:09) Liposomal glutathione? (59:22) Anti-candida diets (1:01:47) Final remarks Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/sifo-the-unusual-suspect Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ FX DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

In this week’s podcast Dr Arun Dhir, a gastroenterology surgeon, clinical researcher and author of Happy Gut, Healthy Weight, joins Dr Michelle Woolhouse as they delve into the crucial connection between gut health and various chronic conditions, including Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and its links with obesity. 1 in 5 people experience GORD on a weekly basis and in this episode, Dr Arun discusses his algorithm for investigating an individual presenting with GORD. Dr Arun also talks to the challenges of diagnosing conditions like hiatus hernias and the importance of comprehensive investigations, while offering practical advice on improving gut health through diet, stress management, and complementary therapies.  Covered in this episode: (0:46) Welcome Dr Arun Dhir  (2:30) Dr Arun’s story  (7:25) “All diseases begin in the gut”  (12:16) Factors causing GORD  (18:17) Hiatus hernia  (21:39) Intra-abdominal pressure  (23:08) Helicobacter pylori  (25:35) Gut testing  (32:09) Gastrocolic reflex  (34:44) Complementary treatment options  (40:02) Low grade gastritis   (43:42) Final remarks  Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/gastro-oesophageal-reflux-disease---the-gut-microbiome-as-first-principle Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ FX DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

In this podcast, Emma Sutherland is joined by psychophysiologist and Monash University researcher Dr Simone Peters - one of the world’s leading experts in gut-directed hypnotherapy - to explore the rise of this behavioural therapy as a first-line treatment for IBS and other gut disorders. From her landmark randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing hypnotherapy to the low fermentable, oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet, to the development of the Nerva app, Simone presents compelling data on how this therapy works, with 75–80% of patients responding within six weeks. The recommendation to use gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS now forms international treatment guidelines and this episode empowers practitioners to integrate mind-body approaches into clinical care for IBS and beyond. Covered in this episode: (01:04) Welcome Simone Peters (06:04) Hypnotherapy and gut conditions (08:04) Nerva app (13:36) Patient experience (17:35) IBS, males vs females (20:00) Drivers behind IBS (22:38) Psychogastroenterology (25:53) Research in gut-directed hypnotherapy (29:44) Dr Peters research (36:50) Who is it for? (39:26) Synergistic modalities (43:33) Future of gut-directed hypnotherapy (46:33) Final remarks Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/gut-directed-hypnotherapy Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

Gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulseiwicz and our ambassador Emma Sutherland explore holistic methods of supporting a gut microbiome that reduces risk of developing chronic disease. Will takes into consideration that we’re uniquely bio-individual to the level of our gut microbiome and a person’s health is intrinsically connected to its own unique gut terrain a.k.a. gut microbiome. Emma and Will also discuss the benefits of maintaining a healthy gut lining by supporting mucus secretions such as secretory IgA, and the usefulness of probiotics. They also discuss the various natural sources of probiotics beyond pills and powders, and how to use them effectively in a clinical setting. Will makes recommendations on how to choose the “right” probiotic for you patients and how to support this use with natural sources along with prebiotics. The discussion then moves to an interesting area of fermented foods and spore forming probiotics (typically from Bacillus spp.) Covered in this episode (00:53) Welcoming Dr Will Bulsiewicz (01:36) What inspired you to focus on this area of practice (05:37) The evolution of germ theory (09:37) Terrain theory and the microbiome (12:35) Supporting the terrain via dietary fibre (16:47) Functions of the mucous in our gut (19:52) Probiotics and gut barrier integrity (25:34) Choosing the right prebiotic (32:29) Spore-based probiotics (34:37) Emphasising small changes for long term success (38:38) Thanking Will and final remarks Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/focus-on-fibre-fuelling-the-microbiome Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

In this podcast, Emma Sutherland teams up with gut naturopath Matt Douglas to unravel the clinical complexity of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) - a condition that’s far more common and stubborn than many practitioners realise. Together they dive deep into the pathophysiology, testing methods, and diagnostic challenges of SIBO, exploring why it’s often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Matt brings a clear, practical approach to treatment - covering herbal antimicrobials including oregano, berberine, and allicin, the well-researched and clinically supported pharmaceutical option Rifaximin and his thoughts on dietary therapies like the Elemental Diet. But the real value lies in his relapse prevention strategies, which emphasise the importance of motility agents and gut repair support — such as partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG), Saccharomyces boulardii, globe artichoke, and a proprietary six-herb combination — to help restore long-term digestive resilience. Whether you’re new to SIBO or managing chronic cases, this is essential listening for practitioners ready to level up their gut health toolkit. Covered in this episode: (01:05) Welcome Matt Douglas (03:02) Treating SIBO (06:14) What mechanisms are at play with SIBO? (11:54) Diagnosis of SIBO (17:14) Blood work and SIBO (20:41) Treatment (27:28) Antimicrobial herbs (33:02) Antibiotics (35:40) Elemental diet (39:45) Prokinetics (44:00) Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) (47:12) Preventing relapse (51:12) Final remarks Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/sibo-uncovered-tools-for-long-term-success Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ FX DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

Dr Brad Leech, Clinical Nutritionist and Herbalist joins fx Medicine by Bioceuticals ambassador Lisa Costa-Bir to unpack the intricacies of autoimmunity and the connection to the gut microbiome. Brad shares a wealth of clinical pearls for practitioners with autoimmune patients by unpacking the clinical relevance and meaning of functional gut testing markers as he examines how practitioners can use testing as a tool to identify inflammatory risk factors associated with autoimmunity and individualise treatment protocols for patients using diet, lifestyle, and supplemental support. Brad describes the clinical significance of establishing balance and healthy diversity within the gut using food as medicine, rather than focusing on elimination. Together, they also explore lifestyle factors that impact the gut microbiome, and how managing stress and using targeted supplementation to achieve a balanced gut microbiome can contribute to lowering autoimmunity risk factors in our patients. COVERED IN THIS EPISODE (01:03) Welcoming Dr Brad Leech (02:38) The link between autoimmunity and the gut and modifiable risk factors (08:13) Arachidonic acid (10:57) Autoimmunity and gut dybiosis (25:46) Pathobionts (27:43) Gut markers for investigations in microbiome testing (34:39) Butyurate and the microbiome (39:19) Hydrogen sulphide (42:23) Gut testing (53:40) Saccharomyces boulardii (57:42) Other probiotic strains (1:00:59) Lifestyle strategies (1:06:06) Metagenomic testing (1:08:56) Thanking Dr Leech and closing remarks Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/autoimmunity-and-the-key-role-of-the-gut-microbiome Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

In this episode of podcast, Dr Michelle Woolhouse is joined by integrative GP Dr Nic Giummarra to explore the evolving science and clinical application of medicinal cannabis in Australia. From cannabinoid pharmacology and terpene profiles to chemovars and prescribing strategies, Dr Giummarra offers deep insights into how cannabis-based medicines can support patients with chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia. He explains the distinct roles of phytocannabinoids cannabinol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), how medicinal cannabis influences sleep, neuroplasticity and emotional regulation, and why the endocannabinoid system is so crucial - yet often overlooked - in conventional care. Dr Giummarra also unpacks the risks of closed-loop prescribing models and "tick-box" clinics, calling for more ethical, patient-centred approaches grounded in evidence, education and practitioner discernment. This is essential listening for healthcare professionals looking to engage with medicinal cannabis safely, effectively, and responsibly in clinical practice. Covered in this episode: (01:02) Welcome Nic Guimmarra (02:56) History of marijuana (07:36) The innate cannabinoid system (10:17) Key chemicals (13:35) Approved conditions for use (18:19) Neuroplastic changes (25:15) Latest research (30:33) Accessibility options (38:00) How is it best used? (47:32) Side effects and interactions (51:41) Driving and workplace safety rules (57:57) Future of medicinal cannabis (1:04:24) Final remarks Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/medicinal-cannabis-integrating-science-saftey-and-balance Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ FX DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

Dr Kristin Neff is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and a passionate advocate for the inclusion of self-compassion for healthcare practitioners to both ensure optimal care for our patients while avoiding burnout. Kristin shares her definition of self-compassion, how it differs from self-esteem, her key findings around this important topic, and how we as healthcare practitioners can easily implement self-compassion into our own lives, and advocate for it with our patients. This podcast is a must listen for healthcare professionals and patients alike, who are looking to increase their patient care, resilience, reduce anxiety and stress, and adopt powerful lifestyle habits to increase self-compassion and love. COVERED IN THIS EPISODE (01:00) Welcoming Dr Kristin Neff (02:41) Kristin’s definition of compassion (13:16) Shame and its purpose (15:34) The difference between self compassion and self esteem (20:11) Self compassion as a powerful coping mechanism (24:24) Self protective mechanisms (28:03) The neurobiology of self compassion (35:21) The yin and yang of self compassion (42:42) Bringing self compassion into our clinical practice and for ourselves (47:42) Thanking Kristin and final remarks Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/the-importance-of-self-compassion Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

In this compelling episode, Dr Michelle Woolhouse speaks with Dr Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-trained neuroanatomist whose left-brain stroke led to a profound journey of recovery, discovery, and transformation. Sharing insights from her bestselling book Whole Brain Living, Jill describes her eight-year path to rebuilding brain function one circuit at a time - revealing the distinct roles and personalities of the brain’s four key “characters.” Listeners will explore how the left and right hemispheres process experience, memory, identity, and emotion in dramatically different ways, and how this understanding can guide emotional resilience and mental wellbeing. With practical insights like “the 90-second rule”, “the brain huddle,” and the role of sleep in healing, this episode offers a deeply human yet scientifically grounded roadmap for self-awareness and recovery. An inspiring listen for healthcare practitioners, therapists, and anyone exploring the science of consciousness, emotion, and personal growth. Covered in this episode: (01:04) Welcome Dr Jill Bolte Taylor (04:50) The recovery journey (08:22) Left vs right brain (13:41) 4 characters of the brain (21:21) Life in the right brain (24:29) Relationship with emotions (30:19) The 90 second rule (40:50) The BRAIN huddle (48:35) Inner peace circulatory (51:30) Final remarks Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/inside-the-whole-brain Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/ FX DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.