Microbiome Medics

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.

In this episode we explore the fascinating vaginal microbiome. With the expertise of Professor Sarah LeBeer, a leading scientist in the field , we unravel  the complexities of this unique microbial ecosystem and its crucial role in women's health. Listen in as we discuss the dominance of lactobacilli in maintaining vaginal health and their potential influence  on other aspects of  health and well-being. Professor Lebeer explains the  dynamic shifts the vaginal microbiome undergoes across the lifespan, and the  implications these changes may have on both maternal and newborn health.This  conversation celebrates citizen science through the Isala project. This initiative not only uncovered pivotal insights into vaginal microbiome variations but also empowered women to engage in open dialogues about their vaginal health. We address the impacts of personal habits on this intriguing microbial ecosystem  and how the knowledge gained may help shape diagnostics and treatments in women's health.To wrap up, we explore the potential of probiotics tailored for the vaginal microbiome and the challenges they present. As we sift through the confusion surrounding probiotic products, we share practical advice for healthcare professionals and patients alike on nurturing a healthy vaginal ecosystem. From diet to lifestyle choices, we offer resources and insights that encourage proactive stewardship of one's microbiome. So, whether you're a healthcare professional or simply someone interested in the wonders of the human body, this episode is packed with intriguing discoveries and actionable knowledge.To find out more about Professor Lebeer's work:https://lebeerlab.com/ https://isala.be/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.

Hello, fellow gut-health enthusiasts.In this episode Dr. Siobhan McCormack and Dr. Sheena Fraser welcome you to a conversation about the popular fermented beverage that's sweeping the health world: kombucha. They explain what it is, how it’s made and what it might do for your gut health.Learn about the celebrated SCOBY(symbiotic culture of bacteria& yeast) and how to brew your own kombucha before hearing from Emma & Kenny , founders of HIP POP beverages and fellow microbiome enthusiasts who tell us how they have turned a passion  for kombucha  into a thriving and rapidly expanding business.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.

As 2023 draws to a close, it is time for Microbiome Medics to pause and reflect on12 months of podcasts, conferences, talks, and courses. All with the aim of raisingawareness of the importance of the gut microbiome (and other human microbiomes) to all aspects of healthcare.Thankfully, they are not just stuffing your stocking with knowledge, but alsoadding some holiday cheer. Tune in for a festive exchange of microbiome-relatedgifts and book recommendations. Perfect for the curious minds in your life.Plus, find out what microbiome nerds gift each other for Christmas at theMicrobiome Medics ‘not so secret Santa’ office party.A Christmas message from Microbiome MedicsThank you to all the listeners for your support, constructive feedback, and greatideas and most of all, thank you for listening! Thank you also for the incrediblefeedback we have had for our Gut Microbiome for Clinicians course, which endeavoursto provide an in-depth understanding of the gut microbiome for fellow HealthCareProfessionals.Remember to take care of your microbiomes over the festive season, and we lookforward to another year of exploring, learning, and improving our health throughunderstanding the fascinating world of microbiomes.Book Recommendations:There's a Zoo in my Poo by Felice Jacka & Rob CrawDark Matter by Dr James KinrossAnimal Moves by Darryl EdwardsThe Plant-based Diet Revolution by Dr Alan DesmondThis 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.

'When I found myself teetering on the edge of prediabetes, I knew I needed to make a change. I chose movement, and it changed my life.' - On our latest episode, we discuss this journey with Darryl Edwards, a movement coach and author, who made this transformation. From a fascinating conversation about the Primal Play Method to an enlightening discussion on the transformative power of exercise on the gut microbiome, this episode is full of insights and inspiration.We also delve into fascinating research on the effects of exercise on our gut health. Darryl and I explore interesting animal studies that show how physical activity can boost the presence of beneficial bacteria and reduce the number of harmful ones. We discuss how diet and other factors associated with athleticism can enhance these benefits. We also touch on the importance of nutrition for athletes, especially in relation to energy expenditure, mitochondrial function, and the production of short-chain fatty acids.Finally, we explore the implications of modern sedentary lifestyles on our health and gut microbiomes. From the evolution of furniture to the advancement of technology, we discuss how our environments encourage inactivity. But it's never too late to make a change. Whether it's introducing exercise early in life, opting for outdoor activities like gardening, or just learning to move more, every step towards a more active lifestyle can have profound impacts on our health and gut microbiomes. So, join us on this journey of discovery and learn how to reclaim the joy of movement!https://www.primalplay.com/blog/unlock-the-power-of-play-how-active-play-boosts-adult-health-happinessThis 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 podcast episode, Dr Sheena Fraser and Dr Siobhan Mccormack (aka Microbiome Medics) discuss the significant impact of antibiotics on the gut microbiome. They are joined by an expert in this area Dr Anastasia Theodosiou, who is both a Microbiome Scientist and a  Registar in Microbiology & Infectious Disease.Dr Anastasia introduces her novel term Microbiotoxicity which can be used to  explain and  predict the effects of antibiotics on human  microbiomes. The discussion also covers other drugs like proton pump inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which can also perturb the gut microbiome. Listeners will gain insights into the recovery timeline of the gut microbiome after antibiotic exposure and the implications of gut microbiome disruptors like Caesarian section delivery and neonatal formula feeding on both gut health and other health outcomes across the lifespan. This episode highlights the importance considering the impact of medications on the gut microbiome and how we might start to bridge the gap between microbiome research and clinical practice.Dr Theodosiou is an MRC Clinical Research Training Fellow (University of Southampton) and an Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology Registrar. Her research involves the use of controlled human infection to study microbiome development in early life, including the world’s first respiratory human challenge study in pregnancy.https://idiotspodcasting.buzzsprout.com/1782416/13193172-56-antibiotics-breastfeeding-and-infant-healthTheodosiou AA, Jones CE, Read RC, Bogaert D. Microbiotoxicity: antibiotic usage and its unintended harm to the microbiome. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2023;36(5):371-378. doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000945 https://www.hellomicro.org/post/microbiome-microbiotoxicity https://www.nbmedical.com/blog/microbiotoxicityThis 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.