Microbiome Medics

While we often think of sleep and diet as separate pillars of health, our internal biological clocks and gut microbiome intricately connect them both. In this episode, co-hosts Dr. Siobhan McCormack and Dr. Sheena Fraser dive into the fascinating, bidirectional relationship between circadian rhythms, sleep quality, and gut health. They discuss how our physiology adapts to 24-hour light and dark cy...

While the gut microbiome often steals the spotlight, the microorganisms residing in our respiratory tract play a vital role in our health and immunity. In this episode, Dr. Sheena Fraser sits down with microbial ecologist Dr. Michael Cox to explore the fascinating, complex, and relatively uncharted territory of the lung microbiome. They discuss how the lung microbiome fundamentally differs from th...

Join Dr. Siobhan McCormack as she welcomes one of the top early-life microbiome scientists in the field, Professor Chris Stewart . Discover the origins of your gut microbiome, the biological superpowers of breast milk, and how lab-grown "organoids" are uncovering surprising ways to protect preterm babies. What We Cover: The Genesis of You: How birth mode and early feeding shape our microbial found...

Join Dr. Siobhan McCormack and the "fibre-fabulous" Dr. Emily Leeming, a former superyacht chef turned King's College London microbiome scientist and registered dietitian. Discover why fibre is the overlooked "Cinderella nutrient," how it fuels your gut microbiome, and practical, delicious ways to hit your 30-gram daily target without the bloat. What We Cover: The Chef-to-Scientist Pipeline: Dr. L...

In this insightful episode, Dr. Sheena Fraser welcomes back Dr. Anastasia Theodosiou and introduces Baroness Natalie Bennett to discuss the Consumer Products (Control of Biocides) Bill. They unpack the hidden dangers of unregulated antimicrobial chemicals found in everyday items, from toothpaste to treated textiles, and the urgent need to protect our microbiomes from this "chemical cocktail". The...

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Sheena Fraser speaks with her lifelong friend, Katherine Saville, about her transformative journey through breast cancer recurrence and holistic healing. From high-stress corporate life to finding stillness, Katherine shares how she used lifestyle medicine, specifically diet, exercise, and microbiome health, to support her treatment and recovery. Key Topics: Na...

From the viral moment on The Traitors to the biology of the "silent but deadly," this episode is an unashamed deep dive into flatulence. Drs Siobhan and Sheena are joined by Julie Thompson, Lead Dietitian at Guts UK Charity, to break the stigma around passing wind. We discuss what normal gas looks like, why fiber makes us farty (and why that's a good thing!), and the truth about the Low FODMAP die...

Join us in this enlightening episode as we explore the intricate relationship between herbalism and gut health with returning expert herbalist Mo Wilde. Discover how the gut microbiome influences the effectiveness of herbal treatments and the holistic approach to healing. Dive into the historical context of herbal medicine and its integration with modern practices, offering a fresh perspective on...

In this episode, Dr. Sheena Fraser is joined by Monica 'Mo' Wilde, an expert forager, research herbalist, and award-winning author of The Wilderness Cure . Mo discusses her remarkable year-long experiment, detailed in her 'Wildbiome Project', where she lived exclusively on wild, foraged foods to explore its effects on her gut microbiome. The conversation covers the rules of her challenge, the incr...

In this episode, Dr. Sheena Fraser is joined by Dr. Olga Morton, a GP and lifestyle medic specializing in women's health, to explore the intricate link between menopause and the gut microbiome . Looking beyond Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), they discuss how powerful lifestyle changes can soothe symptoms and promote long-term health. The conversation dives into the benefits of a plant-based die...

In this episode, Dr Siobhan McCormack is in conversation with Professor John Alverdy from the University of Chicago, a Professor of Surgery and a pioneer in microbiome research. They explore the crucial link between gut health and surgical outcomes, particularly in addressing post-operative infections and complications. The conversation highlights the significance of the gut microbiome in healing,...

For this episode of Microbiome Medics, Dr Sheena Fraser is joined by Dr Aslı Devrim Lanpir, an expert in nutrition and dietetics, with a focus on sports nutrition and exercise physiology. This episode delves into the fascinating link between the gut microbiome and athletic performance. They explore the effect of demanding training regimens on gut health, and what specific changes athletes can make...

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 addre...

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...

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...

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 di...

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 interact...

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 o...

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. Sh...

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 Micro...

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 an...

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 r...

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 n...

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 diseas...

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 org...