Ever wonder why some people who get exposed to colds or the flu get really ill while others experience mild symptoms or don’t get sick at all? Fortunately, today’s guest is here to provide answers to this mystery. An authority on the “microbiome,” Dr. Robynne Chutkan is here to tell us all about the remarkable flora residing in our intestines, and how feeding it the right foods can promote health, prevent disease, and even help us with our weight. Dr. Chutkan is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Georgetown Hospital, founder of the Digestive Center for Wellness, and author of the books Gutbliss, The Microbiome Solution, The Bloat Cure, and her most recent book, The Anti-Viral Gut, where she tackles the complexities of intestinal bacteria and how it relates to our immune system. She’s been a featured expert on several media outlets, including The Today Show and CBS This Morning. 

If you’re a person interested in strengthening your immune system, or you’ve experienced digestive troubles, or you’re just human, then this episode is definitely for you!

“For a vaginal birth, as the baby’s head crowns, it turns posteriorly to face the tush, and it does that to swallow a mouthful of microbes, because that area between the vaginal opening and the anus, that area we call the perineum, is full of microbes. It is one of the most microbially rich parts of the body. So as the baby is coming out, it swallows a mouthful of the mother’s microbes, and those important microbes become the founding species for the baby’s microbiome. Babies that are born vaginally have that benefit. Babies that are born via C-section don’t get that opportunity, and as a result, they’re colonized with hospital-acquired Staphylococcus aureus.” - Dr. Robynne Chutkan

What we discuss in this episode:

• What the microbiome is and how it relates to overall human health
• Viruses and human DNA
• The microbiome and immunity
• Important tips for expecting mothers
• Causes of intestinal permeability
• The benefits of being in nature on the microbiome
• Tips to improve your microbiome
• The effects of stress on the gut and immunity

Resources:

• Website: Dr. Robynne Chutkan
• Books: Books by Robynne Chutkan
• Instagram: //www.instagram.com/gutbliss/?hl=en

The Plant-based Playbook IS HERE!

Let the Plant-based Games Begin, the first-ever guidebook dedicated to optimizing athletic performance with plant-based fuel. We developed the Playbook in consultation with the IOC’s Office of Sustainability to help coaches, dietitians, and athletes understand how to embrace plant-based nutrition.

Researched and written by a diverse group of highly credentialed researchers, clinicians, and athletes, the Playbook leverages peer-reviewed science and real-world experience to illuminate the physiological benefits of a plant-based diet. The Playbook also includes robust, field-tested tools and resources for meal planning and other practical implementation techniques. 

You can download the Playbook here: https://switch4good.org/plant-based-playbook/

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