Microbiome Medics

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.

Dr. Siobhan McCormack interviews James Kinross, a colorectal surgeon and microbiome researcher. James discusses the potential of robotic surgery and its precision, the link between the microbiome and colorectal cancer, and the importance of preserving gut health. They explore probiotics, evidence-based treatments, and the role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal cancer. James emphasizes the need for microbial conservation for disease prevention and offers practical advice from his book "Dark Matter" on diet and nutrition for a healthier gut microbiome. This conversation highlights the critical impact of microbiome research on the future of healthcare.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.

Dr. Siobhan McCormack, Dr. Sheena Fraser, and guest Lucy Kerrison (aka The GutNut Dietician) discuss the role of diet in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), focusing on Crohn's disease. Lucy emphasizes personalized nutrition, debunks dietary myths during flare-ups, and addresses challenges accessing dietitians in the NHS. The conversation covers low fiber diets, the Crohn's disease exclusion diet, essential nutrients in IBD management, fermented foods, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), and the low FODMAP diet. They advocate for tailored dietary advice, highlight the scarcity of dietitians for effective gut health management, and stress the importance of updated guidelines and holistic approaches in tackling gut-related conditions.Patient resourceshttps://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk https://gutscharity.org.uk https://www.bda.uk.comhttps://www.alandesmond.com/revolutionThis 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, we are joined by Lee Holdstock from the Soil Association, UK's biggest organic certifier, to explore the vital connection between soil health and human microbiomes. Our discussion highlights the benefits of organic farming practices for soil health, biodiversity, and ultimately, human well-being. We delve into the efficiencies of nature in organic farming, emphasizing the need to transition towards sustainable practices for healthier soil and more nutritious food choices. The conversation also addresses the impact of intensive farming on animal welfare, the nutritional advantages of organic food, and the challenges of promoting organic farming to consumers. We underscore the importance of upholding organic farming standards, certification processes, and the role of healthy soils in supporting human health. Ultimately, we advocate for supporting organic and sustainable farming methods, improving agricultural policies, and making informed food choices for a healthier future.https://www.soilassociation.org/https://www.foodforlife.org.uk/https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.phpThis 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.

Join Dr. Siobhan McCormack and Dr. Sheena Fraser on the Microbiome Medics Podcast as they host pain management consultant Dr. Deepak Ravindran. Dr. Deepak  discusses the importance of a holistic approach to pain management, incorporating factors like exercise, diet, sleep, and mind-body techniques. The conversation dives into different types of pain, chronic pain's connection to the immune system, and the potential impact of microbiome and dietary interventions. Dr. Deepak  emphasises patient-centered care, individualized treatment plans, and the significance of considering mood, anxiety, and past trauma experiences. Recommendations on nutrition, probiotics, and a holistic approach to chronic pain management are explored, promoting a patient-centered healthcare model. Dr Deepak explains the evidence behind his approach which he has made available to patients and clinicians alike in the form of his excellent book The Pain-Free Mindset. Dr  Deepak is particularly fascinated by the way in which the gut microbiome influences all aspects of pain through the gut-brain-axis  and how we can harness this knowledge to better understand and manage chronic pain using non-drug modalities including nutrition, sleep and mindfulness.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.

Don't miss the first of two episodes on the role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) in chronic pain.30% of the UK population suffer from chronic pain and pharmacological options have proved disappointing and even downright dangerous . Could harnessing the gut microbiome be part of new approaches for this prevalent condition? Our tireless Microbiome Medics cover the MGBA basics, marvel at brain microglia and astrocytes, and identify chronic inflammation as a major player in chronic pain. They discuss a 2023 pilot study by Sala-Climent et al. looking at the effect of an anti-inflammatory diet on measures of chronic pain. Part two of this podcast will include UK Pain Specialist and author Dr Deepak Ravindran, who will be talking about his Lifestyle Medicine approach to chronic pain which includes optimising the gut microbiome and nutrition.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.