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.com www.thebiocollective.com 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, 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, I (Dr. Sheena Fraser) speak 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 resources https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk https://gutscharity.org.uk https://www.bda.uk.comhttps://www.alandesmond.com/revolution 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, 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.php 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.

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 on 12 months of podcasts, conferences, talks, and courses. All with the aim of raising awareness 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 also adding some holiday cheer. Tune in for a festive exchange of microbiome-related gifts and book recommendations. Perfect for the curious minds in your life. Plus, find out what microbiome nerds gift each other for Christmas at the Microbiome Medics ‘not so secret Santa’ office party. A Christmas message from Microbiome Medics Thank you to all the listeners for your support, constructive feedback, and great ideas and most of all, thank you for listening! Thank you also for the incredible feedback we have had for our Gut Microbiome for Clinicians course, which endeavours to provide an in-depth understanding of the gut microbiome for fellow HealthCare Professionals. Remember to take care of your microbiomes over the festive season, and we look forward to another year of exploring, learning, and improving our health through understanding the fascinating world of microbiomes. Book Recommendations: There's a Zoo in my Poo Dark Matter Animal Moves The Plant-based Diet Revolution 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.

'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-happiness 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 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 Anastasia (Tash) 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-health Theodosiou 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/microbiotoxicity 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 3rd & final episode Dr Sheena & Dr Shiv get to chat to Professor Robert Thomas , a full time NHS Consultant Oncologist, Sorts and Nutrition scientist and active medical researcher who explains why he thinks the gut microbiome and gut health are key to cancer prevention, response cancer therapies and survivorship. They discuss diet, research and patient empowerment. It seems that small, simple , achievable dietary and behaviour changes really can improve outcomes , overall wellbeing and survivorship. Professor Thomas Bio Professor Robert Thomas is a full time NHS Consultant Oncologist at Bedford and Addenbrooke's Hospitals, a teacher at Cambridge University and visiting Professor of Sports and nutritional science at the University of Bedfordshire. He trained at the Royal Marsden Hospital had period of full-time laboratory and clinical research at the Institute of Cancer and Duke University, North Carolina. He now manages patients with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormones and biological targeted treatments but incorporates nutritional and lifestyle strategies to enhance their effect, reduce side effects and improve overall wellbeing. He is also head of a Lifestyle and Cancer Research Unit which designs and conducts government backed studies evaluating the impact of exercise, diet and natural therapies on cancer, other chronic diseases and more recently recovery from Covid-19. In collaboration with Universities in Southern California, Cambridge and Glasgow, this unit has published over 100 peer reviewed scientific papers and regularly presents studies across the World. He is a patron of two cancer support charities and advises Macmillan and other support groups on their informal materials for patients. He previously led the UK Polybalm and Pomi-T randomised studies and currently leads the UK's covid-19 nutritional intervention study (The Phyto-V study) assessing whether prebiotic polyphenol rich foods plus a probiotic could lower the severity and duration of symptoms. He is author of the UK bestseller "How to Live" and has been awarded The British Oncology Association “Oncologist of the Year” and The Royal College of Radiologist Research Medal. Twitter: @cancernetUK Facebook: @cancernetUK 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 2nd episode on cancer and the gut microbiome , our Microbiome Medics duo continue their exploration of the impact of the gut microbiome on all aspects of cancer biology focusing on responses to cancer therapies and the potential effects of medications such as antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors on the resident microbes. Dr Sheena discusses practical advice to improve gut health that she discusses with her NHS patients diagnosed with cancer and Dr Shiv introduces a few new concepts including the Oestrobolome and its importance to breast cancer and discusses a paper describing microbiomes within several different types of human cancers which may help further understanding of the impact of microorganisms on the hallmarks of cancer. 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 the UK someone is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes. Every 4 minutes, someone dies of cancer. Startling statistics indeed, but did you know that human microbiomes, and the gut microbiome in particular, is pivotal to every aspect of cancer prevention, treatment response ,recovery and survivorship? Given the importance of the subject, your loyal microbiome nerds, Dr Sheena and Dr Shiv, have chosen to allocate not one , not two, but three episodes of Microbiome Medics Podcast to this rapidly evolving and complex area of research. In this first episode they get down and dirty with a cancer cell to figure out exactly how and why your resident gut micro-organisms might just be one of the most important resources you can utilise to harness the mighty power of your body’s remarkable and extensive anti-cancer systems. Dr Shiv thinks she can get you to fall in love with her favourite gut microbiome research paper and Dr Sheena gets all hot under the collar about the effect of sweeteners on gut microbiome function. Enjoy. The paper discussed in this episode is: O'Keefe SJ et al. Fat, fibre and cancer risk in African Americans and rural Africans. Nat Commun. 2015 Apr 28;6:6342. doi: 10.1038/ncomms7342. Chakalaka recipe link: https://www.wikihow.life/Make-Chakalaka 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.

Have you ever considered what difference infant feeding choice makes to long-term infant health? In this episode our two microbiome medics compare the impact of breast milk and formula milk on the developing infant gut microbiome. They consider the rates of breast feeding in the UK and potential barriers to breast feeding, drawing on their own experiences. Dr Shiv discusses a research paper from the USA which looks at ‘re-wilding’ the infant gut microbiome with Bifidobacterium Infantis. The research paper discussed this episode: O’Brien CE, Meier AK, Cernioglo K, Mitchell RD, Casaburi G, Frese SA, et al. Early probiotic supplementation with B. infantis in breastfed infants leads to persistent colonization at 1 year. Pediatr Res. 2022 Feb;91(3):627–36. 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.

You are 50% microbial by cell count, and your gut microbiome is central to all aspects of your physiology and health. The Microbiome Medics think you should know where the trillions of bacteria living in your intestines come from. In this episode of Microbiome Medics, our microbiome obsessed duo discuss the importance of birth mode on gut microbiome acquisition. They highlight the massive increases in Caesarean section rates, and even chat about their own birth experiences. (Spoiler alert...it hurt) Not to be missed by anyone born by vaginal delivery or caesarian section (or both). That means you, by the way. Get listening! Discussed in this episode: Korpela K, de Vos WM. Infant gut microbiota restoration: state of the art. Gut Microbes. 2022;14(1):2118811. Shao Y et al. Stunted microbiota, and opportunistic pathogen colonization in caesarean section birth. Nature. 2019;574(7776):117–121. 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.