The Gut Health Podcast

Gut health trends are everywhere, but which ones deserve a closer look, and which ones need a reality check? In this episode, we break down the biggest gut health trends getting clicks, likes, and follows online. From our "hard no" to "I'm curious," we share where each trend lands on our hype scale and explain the science, physiology, and gut-brain connection behind our ta...

MCAS is one of those diagnoses that can make it feel like your body is telling a dozen stories at once—and no one is listening. If you're experiencing GI symptoms alongside flushing, hives, brain fog, fatigue, palpitations, medication sensitivities, or a persistent "fight-or-flight" feeling, this episode is designed to help connect the dots without oversimplifying your experience. I...

Part 3 of the Women's Health Series Bloating, gas, urgency, abdominal pain, and that relentless “what if something happens?” loop can turn sex from a close connection into stress fast.  Digestive symptoms can quietly impact some of the most vulnerable parts of our lives...including intimacy, relationships, and self-esteem. And often, the shame surrounding those experiences feels heavier than...

Part 2 of the Women's Health Series Your digestion suddenly feels different, your sleep is falling apart, your mood and patience are all over the place — and you start wondering whether it’s stress, aging, or something bigger. Joined by two extraordinary Mayo Clinic experts, Drs. Chrisandra Shufelt and Jami Kinnucan, we pull back the curtain on perimenopause and menopause, explaining how shif...

Part 1 of the Women's Health Series Endometriosis can show up like a gut disorder, and that confusion keeps many people stuck for years without answers. We map the overlap between endometriosis and IBS, explain what symptoms should raise suspicion, and share practical ways to build a care plan that supports both digestion and quality of life.  • Endometriosis prevalence, symptoms and why it i...

Part 2 of the IBS-D Series We sit down with GI dietitian Beth Rosen to talk about her lived experience with IBS-D, and how the absence of a clear diagnosis and effective treatment plan early on led to frustration and unnecessary food restriction.  With the right diagnosis and support, she was able to shift toward a clearer path, building a sustainable, flexible approach to eating and symptom manag...

Part 1 of the IBS-D Series We map out a clear, practical way to understand IBS-D, from what it is, to how clinicians rule out the conditions that can look like it. With Dr. Anthony Lembo, we move from science to real-world next steps so you can feel more confident about diagnosis, treatment options, and hope for improvement.  • How IBS-D is defined using stool form and pain patterns  • When diarrh...

Tired of hearing “it’s just stress”?  IBS experts Drs. Laurie Keefer and Darren Brenner join Kate Scarlata and Dr. Megan Riehl to set the record straight on irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is a real, biologically based disorder involving the gut–brain axis, the microbiome, immune function, and nervous system signaling. Understanding how these systems interact reshapes how we diagnose, personalize tr...

Fiber isn’t one-size-fits-all and for some people, more isn’t better. In this episode, we explore why most people under-eat fiber, why certain fibers can worsen symptoms, and how to personalize intake in a way your body can actually tolerate. Dr. Heather Armstrong shares emerging insights on fiber function, microbiome capacity, and practical strategies for going low and slow. We also unpack new sc...

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) can transform metabolic health, but only with smart dosing, adequate dietary protein, regular strength training, and mental health support.  In this episode, we explore how GLP-1 medications work in the brain and gut, why metabolic health is more than BMI or a weight on the scale, and how to use these drugs safely. Our expert guest, gastroenterologist, Dr Supriya Ra...

This year on The Gut Health Podcast , we dug deeper than ever into the science that shapes our bodies, the myths that confuse us, and the everyday habits that actually move the needle. We challenged probiotic controversies, rethought alcohol culture, explored resilience from gravity to mindset, and turned stress management into practical, usable skills. We broached the topic of vagus nerve stimula...

A growing number of patients with stubborn IBS symptoms are asking: if the gut and brain are wired together, could changing one transform the other? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Emeran Mayer and Dr. Erin Mauney to explore what the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy could mean for gut-brain health, beyond the headlines and hype.  In this episode we cover: Why traditional IBS tr...

Dr. Brennan Spiegel, author of Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health, reveals how gravity shapes everything from our digestive health to our emotional wellbeing in this fascinating exploration of "biogravitational medicine." He presents the revolutionary concept that conditions like IBS and depression may be tied to how well our body resists gravity...

Dr. Mary Ellen Sanders, an expert in probiotic microbiology, helps us decode the often confusing world of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics by explaining their scientific definitions, evidence-based benefits, and practical applications for gut health (and beyond).  This episode has been sponsored by Activia. • Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed in ad...

Dr. Mark Pimentel, Executive Director of the MAST program at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, shares groundbreaking insights into the small intestinal microbiome that challenge long-held beliefs about gut bacteria. Findings from his team’s REIMAGINE study reveal that the small intestine is far from sterile, as previously thought—instead, it harbors substantial bacterial communities that play a critica...

Dr. Iris Wang of the Mayo Clinic shares cutting-edge insights on gut health across the lifespan, including advancements in pharmacogenomics for personalized medication selection and innovative breathing techniques to relieve abdominal distension. She busts common myths about bloating, revealing how diaphragmatic dysfunction rather than excess gas may be the culprit. Dr. Wang also emphasizes the im...

Fermented foods offer surprising health benefits with science showing they can increase gut microbial diversity in ways other dietary interventions cannot. • Expert Elisa Caffrey clarifies what qualifies as fermented food: substrate + microbes + time • While touted as a source of probiotics, most fermented foods don't technically contain probiotics, which require specific strain characterizat...

Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a crucial yet often overlooked component of gut health that can dramatically improve quality of life for people suffering from bowel issues, bladder problems, or pelvic pain. Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas joins us to demystify and normalize this specialized therapy and explain how proper pelvic floor function impacts everything from constipation to sexual health...

Join us as we discuss effective non-diet focused methods for IBS relief. In this episode, Kate and Dr. Riehl review key factors on how gender can influence common symptoms of IBS. Hormones significantly influence IBS symptoms, with women being diagnosed 2.5 times more often than men, in part due to differences in gut function and pain perception.  This episode features the following key discussion...

Is "leaky gut" real or just another wellness buzzword? In this episode of The Gut Health Podcast , we cut through the controversy with Dr. Alessio Fasano, a renowned gastroenterologist and microbiome expert from Mass General Brigham. Dr. Fasano explains what happens when the gut’s protective barrier is compromised, resulting in increased intestinal permeability, and how this can affect n...

What if you could navigate the complexities of IBS without falling into restrictive habits or feeling overwhelmed? Join us for an insightful conversation with Erin Judge , a registered dietitian nutritionist as she shares her compelling journey from childhood challenges with IBS-C to becoming an advocate for patient-centered care. Erin opens up about her early experiences with gastrointestinal iss...

Join Dr. Riehl and Kate as they share practical lifestyle strategies for managing IBS with constipation. Studies show that up to 84% of IBS patients experience GI distress related to eating, with most triggers linked to carbohydrate intake—particularly highly fermentable ones like FODMAPs. Learn how the low FODMAP diet, the most extensively researched dietary approach for IBS, stacks up against tr...

This episode launches the first part of a 3-part mini-series on IBS-C, shedding light on the complexities of this widespread condition that affects millions of people across the U.S. It stresses the importance of a holistic, patient-centered approach to managing IBS-C. We explore the various medications used to treat IBS-C, including both over-the-counter options and prescription drugs, offering a...

Can technology transform the way we approach health and healing? In this episode, we explore the intersection of neuroscience, innovation, and the mind-body connection with Dr. Brennan Spiegel from Cedars-Sinai. Dr. Spiegel challenges the long-standing myth that the mind and body function separately, revealing how our thoughts, emotions, and physiological responses are deeply intertwined. We take...

Can drinking alcohol truly offer any health benefits, or is that just a myth we’re eager to believe? In this episode, we aim to inspire a renewed commitment to wellness in the new year with our guest, Dr. Ponni Perumalswami, a prominent hepatologist at the University of Michigan, who helps us unravel the complicated relationship between alcohol, the gut, and liver health. With her expertise, we ta...