Microbiome Medics

'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 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 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.

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.

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.