Podcast Summary
Gut microbiome health: A healthy gut microbiome, influenced by diet, can prevent and manage various health issues, including digestive diseases and mental disorders, and fiber intake deficiencies are common in current generations.
The health of our gut microbiome, which can be significantly impacted by our food choices, plays a crucial role in preventing and managing various health issues, including digestive diseases and mental disorders. The current generation is more likely to suffer from these conditions due to deficiencies in fiber intake. Dr. Will B. Schuitz, a former conventionally trained medical physician, shares his personal journey of discovering the importance of a healthy gut microbiome after struggling with his own health issues. His transformation led him to become a strong advocate for the power of diet in restoring gut health and improving overall well-being.
Gut microbiome and food: The gut microbiome, which interacts with our food and communicates with our immune system, can be supported through diet and lifestyle changes to improve overall health.
Our microbiome plays a crucial role in our overall health, and what we eat primarily serves to feed and support this microbiome. The microbiome, which is home to trillions of microbes, interacts with our food, creates essential nutrients, and communicates with our immune system. This intricate ecosystem is located in our gut, which acts as a barrier between our internal environment and the outside world. By focusing on diet and lifestyle changes as a first step, we can address the root cause of many health issues, particularly in the gastroenterology space. This holistic approach not only benefits our gut health but also positively impacts various other systems in our body.
Gut health and mental health: Gut health significantly impacts brain function and mental health, and consuming fermented foods can help improve gut health, leading to better mood and emotional states
The health of our gut and microbiome significantly impacts our brain function and mental health. The gut and blood-brain barrier are similar in structure, and what we eat can influence the production of neurotransmitters, affecting our mood and emotional states. Research shows that mental disorders like ADD, ADHD, OCD, depression, and anxiety have links to gut dysbiosis. Fecal transplant studies have demonstrated the causality between gut health and mood. To improve gut health, consistent dietary changes, including the addition of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, can help reshape the microbiome. Fermented foods, in particular, are powerful gut health foods that unlock nutrients and create a diverse ecosystem of beneficial microbes. Regularly consuming fermented foods can lead to noticeable improvements in gut health and overall well-being.
Microbiome and cancer therapy: The microbiome's role in cancer therapy is shifting towards empowering the immune system, with a healthy microbiome essential for effective immunity and fiber intake crucial for gut microbiome health, leading to improved outcomes for cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy
The microbiome, which was once thought to only exist in the gut, has now been discovered in cancer tumors and may play a significant role in predicting the susceptibility of tumors to certain treatments. This new discovery is leading to a shift in cancer therapy from directly destroying cancer cells through chemotherapy to empowering the immune system to eliminate cancer cells, with the microbiome playing a crucial role in this approach. Research shows that a healthy microbiome is essential for an effective immune system, and consuming fiber is key to feeding and fueling the gut microbiome, leading to the production of short chain fatty acids that directly impact the immune system and gut barrier. A diet rich in fiber can lead to a survival advantage for cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. With the rising incidence of colon cancer, particularly in younger populations, focusing on prevention through a holistic approach, including diet, is crucial.
Health benefits of hydrogen water and fiber: Hydrogen water offers health benefits, such as reduced inflammation and enhanced nutrient absorption. Fiber-rich plant sources, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, and mushrooms, can support gut health and directly destroy tumor cells. Avocados are a good source of soluble fiber for gut health.
The EchoGo Plus portable hydrogen generator and hydrogen water offer numerous health benefits, including reduced inflammation, enhanced nutrient absorption, and support for gut health. Meanwhile, preventing colorectal cancer involves addressing the fiber deficiency in the American diet, which is linked to the development of the disease. Short chain fatty acids, which can be obtained through fiber-rich plant sources, have the ability to directly destroy tumor cells. However, not all fibers are created equal, and it's essential to focus on variety rather than just gram intake. Good sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, and even mushrooms. Avocados are a favorite due to their high soluble fiber content, which is essential for feeding beneficial gut bacteria and releasing short chain fatty acids. Ultimately, the key is to prioritize a diverse range of plant-based foods to support both overall health and a healthy gut microbiome.
Diverse plant intake: Consuming 30+ plant varieties weekly supports a healthy gut microbiome, leading to improved digestion, energy, and overall health. Monitor progress through symptoms, bowel movements, and feelings, and gradually reintroduce problematic foods to strengthen gut functions.
Consuming a diverse range of 30 or more plant varieties per week is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, regardless of one's dietary label. This simple yet impactful change can lead to improved digestion, energy levels, and overall health. To monitor progress, one can start by tracking their symptoms, bowel movements, and feeling, as these are free and easily accessible indicators of gut health. Additionally, gradually reintroducing and tolerating problematic foods, rather than eliminating them completely, is an effective approach to gut microbiome rehabilitation. By starting small and increasing intolerances over time, one can strengthen their gut and improve its functional abilities for digestion, metabolism, and immune system support.
Microbiome and Metabolic Health: A healthy microbiome is crucial for digestive and metabolic functions, and can be influenced by diet, particularly through the consumption of soluble fiber from legumes and the provision of nucleotides and nucleosides for protein synthesis.
The microbiome plays a crucial role in various aspects of our health, including digestive and metabolic functions. A healthy microbiome is reflected in good bowel movements, and the majority of the weight of our bowel movements comes from microbial byproducts. The gut microbiome can also predict our blood sugar, insulin, and triglyceride levels. To improve our metabolic health, it's essential to focus on insulin sensitivity. The microbiome can be influenced by the food we eat, and incorporating soluble fiber, particularly from legumes, can support healthy gut function. Additionally, the process of protein synthesis can be improved by providing the necessary building blocks of nucleic acids, such as nucleotides and nucleosides. Overall, maintaining a healthy microbiome through diet and supplementation can have significant positive impacts on our overall health.
Legumes and gut microbiome: Legumes, rich in fiber and resistant starches, are essential for a balanced diet. The gut microbiome influences our health and genes, making probiotics and a healthy gut important.
Beans and other legumes are underconsumed in the American diet despite their numerous health benefits. These non-perishable and inexpensive foods are rich in fiber and resistant starches, making them an excellent addition to a balanced diet. The unique gut microbiome of each individual plays a significant role in determining the effectiveness of probiotics, and it's essential to experiment with different probiotic strains to find what works best for you. The microbiome can influence our genes, turning certain genes on or off through short-chain fatty acids. Preventative measures, such as incorporating more plant-based foods, fermented foods, regular exercise, and good sleep hygiene, can lead to a healthier gut microbiome and potentially prevent disease. To learn more about these topics and connect with Dr. Will Cole, follow him on social media or sign up for his email list.
Prebiotic supplements: High-quality prebiotic supplements can enhance the benefits of a healthy diet by providing fiber, resistance starch, and polyphenols, but it's essential to choose third-party-tested options.
While a healthy diet and lifestyle are essential for optimal health, there are limits to what they can provide. Supplements, specifically prebiotic supplements, can help fill in the gaps and enhance the benefits of a healthy diet. However, it's crucial to choose high-quality, diverse, and third-party-tested supplements. The ultimate human, according to the guest, is someone who is connected to others and values social interaction, as longevity and happiness are intertwined. The guest's personal journey led him to create a prebiotic supplement, 38 Terra, which provides fiber, resistance starch, and polyphenols, and aims to make a positive impact on people's lives.