Microbiome Medics

In this episode of Microbiome Medics, Dr. Sheena Fraser welcomes Dr. Nihan Maron, a veterinary doctor and microbiologist, to discuss the essential connections between pet and human microbiomes. Dr. Nihan highlights how pets, especially dogs, enhance our microbial diversity and health, while emphasizing the importance of mindful antibiotic use and the role of probiotics. The conversation also addresses pet nutrition, advocating for diets that reflect natural eating habits, and the risks of processed foods. They conclude with the "One Health Approach," reinforcing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This episode encourages pet owners to take an integrated approach to health through nurturing their pets’ microbiomes.This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Microbiome Medics, Dr. Siobhan McCormack and Dr. Sheena Fraser are reunited. They share their recent experiences presenting at major conferences and underscore the importance of integrating microbiome science into mainstream medicine, particularly concerning pre- and post-operative care; they delve into how lifestyle interventions, especially diet, significantly impact surgical outcomes, immune response, and recovery by influencing the gut microbiome, also discussing the detrimental effects of the hospital environment and common medical interventions on gut health, and advocating for a holistic, patient-centered approach that prioritizes gut health to improve overall well-being and reduce complications like post-operative pain and cognitive dysfunction, while teasing an upcoming interview with a leading expert in the field.This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

Buckle up for a fascinating journey through microbiome history! Dr. Siobhan McCormack welcomes the esteemed Professor Martin Blaser for an episode that travels through pivotal moments in microbiome science using a "Back to the Future"-inspired lens. Hear their engaging discussion, complete with time-traveling sound effects, as they explore Professor Blaser's career, the impact of antibiotics, and the critical importance of our microbial partners.This podcast is presented in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Microbiome Medics, Dr. Sheena Fraser sits down with Professor Tim Spector, a leading expert in microbiome research and co-founder of Zoe. They explore how gut microbes influence health, from metabolism to mental well-being, and discuss the latest insights from personalized nutrition studies. Tim shares his journey from genetic epidemiology to microbiome science, revealing how diet and lifestyle play a crucial role in shaping our gut health. The conversation also tackles the impact of ultra-processed foods, the future of microbiome research, and practical steps for optimizing gut diversity. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on the science behind the microbiome revolution!This podcast is presented in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Microbiome Medics, Dr. Siobhan McCormack is joined by Professor Egija Zaura from the Academic Centre of Dentistry in Amsterdam to explore the significance of the oral microbiome. They discuss why the oral microbiome warrants attention alongside the gut microbiome, emphasizing its role as the body’s first defense against pathogens.The conversation highlights the complex interactions within the oral cavity and the consequences of dysbiosis on oral health, linking it to systemic issues like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. As practical applications are discussed, Professor Zahra shares the importance of saliva, dietary choices, and the implications of oral hygiene products on microbial diversity. The hosts encourage proactive oral health practices, translating intricate research into actionable insights for listeners.Professor Egija Zaura has a degree in dentistry. She is University Research Chair Professor in Oral Microbial Ecology at ACTA. Her research topics span from biofilm models and clinical studies to advanced molecular technologies in oral microbial diagnostics and complex sequencing data analyses. Her current principal interests lay on oral microbial ecology at health and disease, and translating this fundamental knowledge to the clinical practice.This podcast is presented in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Microbiome Medics, host Sheena welcomes microbiome science celebrity Dr. Jack Gilbert about his journey from butterfly ecologist to a leading figure in microbiome research. They explore the American Gut Project's goal of understanding microbiome diversity, the Nutrition Precision Health Program’s focus on linking nutrition to health outcomes, and the clinical implications of microbiome data in patient care. Jack highlights the potential of pharmacomicrobiomics and discusses advancements in linking the microbiome to mental health. He also introduces his co-authored book, “Dirt is Good,” aimed at helping parents support their children's microbiomes. This conversation offers a compelling look at the future of microbiome science and its impact on health.This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this episode of the Microbiome Medics Podcast, Dr. Sheena Fraser is joined by citizen scientist Martha Carlin, who shares her personal journey into the world of Parkinson’s disease research. After her husband John was diagnosed in 2002, Martha utilized her background in accounting and systems analysis to investigate the complex connections between the gut microbiome and Parkinson’s symptoms. She emphasizes the role of dietary changes, including organic foods, and discusses the innovative probiotic formula, “Sugar Shift,” developed by her team that showed promise in enhancing gut health and alleviating symptoms.The conversation explores the gut-brain axis, detailing how gut health affects neurotransmitter production, notably dopamine. Martha advocates for a holistic approach to treatment that includes lifestyle modifications such as exercise, which greatly benefited John. Reflecting on her husband’s fight against the disease and their quest for awareness, Martha encourages listeners to advocate for further research into Parkinson’s and consider the microbiome’s role in chronic disease management.Links:www.biotiquest.com  www.marthasquest.comwww.thebiocollective.comThis podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Microbiome Medics, we sit down with Toni Harman, the filmmaker behind the award-winning documentary Microbirth and co-author of The Microbiome Effect. Toni shares how her personal childbirth experience, including an emergency cesarean and challenges with breastfeeding, sparked her mission to explore the critical role of the infant microbiome. We discuss the insights from Microbirth, which features leading scientists on how birthing methods and infant nutrition shape a child’s microbiome and immune system. Toni also highlights her vision for empowering expectant parents through an antenatal class focused on microbiome science, advocating for informed, compassionate birthing practices to support long-term health.This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this episode of the Microbiomedics podcast, Dr. Sheena Fraser and Dr. Siobhan McCormack share insights from the BSLM conference in Newcastle. They highlight the vibrant discussions on community health initiatives and the role of young advocates, like those from "Bite Back," in combating ultra-processed foods. The doctors emphasize the urgent need to address adolescent mental health and the impact of diet on well-being, advocating for holistic health education in schools. They encourage listeners to advocate for these essential changes in their communities.This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Microbiome Medics Podcast, Dr. Sheena Fraser speaks with Dr. Holly Wilkinson, a microbiome scientist at Hull York Medical School, about the vital role of the skin microbiome in health and disease. We discuss how the skin microbiome’s unique characteristics, influenced by factors like body location and hygiene, are crucial for maintaining skin health. Dr. Wilkinson explains the relationship between the skin barrier and microbiota and the implications for conditions like acne and eczema.We also explore natural skincare options, the research on probiotics for wound healing, and her current studies on chronic wounds, emphasising microbiome composition as a predictor for healing outcomes. This engaging conversation underscores the importance of a holistic approach to skincare and the need for more awareness of microbiome science in clinical practice.This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.