Love & Guts

#266 Dr. Brad Leech is an internationally recognised Integrative Medicine Practitioner with over 10 years of clinical experience. He has taught and developed subjects at leading academic institutions in Integrative Gastroenterology, Naturopathic Medicine, Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine, and Public Health Research. Dr. Brad Leech is the Clinical Science Lead at Microba, where his expertise in integrative gastrointestinal healthcare enables him to translate the latest science on the gut microbiome into practical clinical applications. In addition to his research and working with patients, Brad offers practitioner support through his mentoring program Brad's Brainiacs.

In this episode we cover

• A summary of different testing methods used to identify the microbiome and pathogens
• The latest research on antimicrobials and the microbiome
• How we can use this research in clinical practice
• How clinicians can safely and effectively use antimicrobials in clinical practice
• Herbs that Brad would potentially avoid using altogether as the Risk is not worth the benefit
• Herbs that nourish the microbiome
• And so much more

#265 Dr Jason Hawrelak is a research scientist, educator, naturopath, and Western herbalist with more than 18 years of clinical experience. Jason practices at Goulds Natural Medicine, a 136-year-old natural medicine apothecary, and clinic located in central Hobart. He did his Honours and PhD degrees examining the causes of dysbiosis and the capacity of probiotics, prebiotics, and herbal medicines to modify the gut microbiome and has written extensively in the medical literature on these topics – including 16 textbook chapters.

He is on the Medical Nutrition Council of the American Society for Nutrition and was recently awarded a Fellowship from the American College of Nutrition for his significant contributions to the teaching and practice of nutrition in Australia and North America. Jason is also a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia. He is Chief Research Officer at ProbioticAdvisor.com, which offers a searchable database that enables easy, evidence-based prescribing of probiotic products and online resources for clinicians, and health-conscious members of the public, to learn more about the human microbiome and how they can positively influence these ecosystems.

• What is diverticula, diverticulosis, diverticulitis and diverticular disease
• Common causes of diverticulosis and why it might progress to diverticulitis or diverticular disease
• How to differentiate between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Symptomatic uncomplicated DD (SUDD)
• The link between cardiovascular health and diverticular disease
• We address what diet may help support those experiencing these conditions and this includes eliminating old beliefs associated with diet
• What are our main treatment aims
• And so much more
• I highly recommend Jason's practitioner training on this subject Diverticular Disease: New Concepts in its Pathophysiology and Treatment

#264 Dr. Paula Smith-Brown is the Clinical Science Lead at Microba and an Adjunct Lecturer at Centre for Microbiome Research at The Queensland University of Technology. She is a PhD qualified Accredited Practising Dietitian who combines her experience as a microbiome researcher and healthcare professional to translate the latest science on the gut microbiome into practical clinical application.

In this episode we cover

• How microbial dysbiosis plays a role in IBS
• If the microbiome is different in those with IBS
• The impact a low FODMAP diet has on the microbiome
• FODMAP food reintroduction. How to tackle this if a patient has been on a low fodmap diet for some time
• If we can predict a response to a low FODMAP diet based on microbiome
• Strategies and interventions
• And so much more

#263 Best Of 2022. Dr. Drossman received gastroenterology training at the University of North Carolina where he founded the UNC Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders. Dr Drossman is currently the Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry in Gastroenterology at UNC. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Master of the American College of Gastroenterology, Past-President of the American Psychosomatic Society (1997). Dr. Drossman has established multiple organizations to advance patient-centered education and treatment of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). He founded the Rome Foundation, and served as president until 2019, and is currently the President Emeritus and Chief of Operations. He has served as Senior Editor of Rome I, II, III, IV and is co-senior editor of Rome V to be released in 2026.

As a gastroenterologist, Dr. Drossman consults or manages the care of difficult-to-diagnose and -treat patients with DGBIs. As Founder and President of DrossmanCare (Center for Education and Practice of Biopsychosocial Care) Dr. Drossman produces educational materials to teach communication skills and patient-centered care. He has published peer-reviewed articles and videotapes on medical interviewing and the patient-doctor relationship. He also facilitates workshops and communication skills training programs and has received numerous awards, as an educator and practitioner.

Most recently he co-authored a book with a patient advocate called Gut Feelings: Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction and the Patient-Doctor Relationship for patients and clinicians. Dr. Drossman has written over 500 articles and book chapters serves on six editorial and advisory boards, was Associate Editor of the journal Gastroenterology and was the Gastroenterology Section Editor of the Merck Manual for 17 years. His research relates to the clinical, epidemiological, psychosocial, and treatment aspects of gastrointestinal disorders, and he has been principal investigator in several NIH-funded epidemiological outcomes, clinical trials, and abuse grants in DGBI and has done brain imaging in IBS.

In this episode we cover:

• What is constipation
• The different types of constipation - including primary and secondary
• Dyssynergic defecation - drivers and signs and symptoms
• What investigations are carried out by a gastroenterologist to confirm this
• Treatments commonly recommended or administered by gastroenterologists or GI motility specialists
• Why effective communication skills and patient-centered care are needed
• What are some ways that patients can improve their communication with doctors
• Get your hands on the book Gut feelings
• And so much more

#262 Shivan is a tenacious seeker of truth, educator, health advocate, and community builder. Shivan wasn't willing to let gut problems rule her life—and she doesn't want that for you, either hence why she created the Digestion SOS™ Documentary Series, The SIBO Recovery Roadmap® Course, The IBS & SIBO SOS® Summits, The Gut & Microbiome Rescue Summit, The Lymphatic Rescue Summit, The Dental Health Connection Summit, The Liver & Gallbladder Rescue Summit, The Fascia Summit and now the book, Healing SIBO.

• Shivans experience with SIBO and how she came to host some amazing health and well-being summits.
• What SIBO SOS is
• Advancements in SIBO that Shivan is excited by
• How Shivan has managed her SIBO
• What Shivan wants all SIBO patients to know
• Who Healing SIBO is for

#261 Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of the books Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual — practical guides to treating period problems with nutrition, supplements, and body-identical hormones. A graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (1997) and the University of Calgary (evolutionary biology), Lara serves on several scientific advisory committees including The Centre for Ovulation and Menstruation Research (CeMCOR) at the University of British Columbia.

She is a popular speaker and has delivered keynote presentations for the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA), the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS), the University of Otago, Endometriosis New Zealand, Endometriosis Association of Queensland (QENDO), and the Evolutionary Health Society of New Zealand (EHA). Lara currently has consulting rooms in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and many other hormone and period-related health problems.

Kira Sutherland is a Naturopathic Sports Nutritionist to some of the world's best athletes. She also lectures and mentors upcoming practitioners in the field of sports nutrition, and offers online courses for supporting athletes, trainers, and sports enthusiasts how to nourish the body to achieve peak performance and fitness.

Using her 25+ years of clinical experience she has combined her knowledge of Naturopathic medicine with education in sports nutrition to create a truly wholistic approach to optimising performance for athletes and those striving for optimum health - especially women. Having lectured both within Australia and internationally on all things Naturopathic and sports nutrition, she is passionate about teaching people to take care of their bodies for the long term, not just treating them in the present moment. Kira believes that the role of a practitioner is to empower and teach clients to take care of themselves, to give them as much knowledge as possible.

In this episode we cover

• The missing health science for mid-life women and the science sex gap
• The dynamics between insulin, mitochondria, and cellular metabolism
• How the nutritional advice often suggested for men and young women does not always apply to mid-life women
• The role of muscle and mitochondria in health and metabolism
• Updated weight loss strategies for women over 40
• If the ketogenic diet or intermittent fasting is appropriate for this demographic
• The metabolic Health and Vitality for Women Over 40 online course. How you access it?
• And so much more

#260 Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of the books Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual — practical guides to treating period problems with nutrition, supplements, and body-identical hormones. A graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (1997) and the University of Calgary (evolutionary biology), Lara serves on several scientific advisory committees including The Centre for Ovulation and Menstruation Research (CeMCOR) at the University of British Columbia.

She is a popular speaker and has delivered keynote presentations for the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA), the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS), the University of Otago, Endometriosis New Zealand, Endometriosis Association of Queensland (QENDO), and the Evolutionary Health Society of New Zealand (EHA). Lara currently has consulting rooms in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and many other hormone and period-related health problems.

Kira Sutherland is a Naturopathic Sports Nutritionist to some of the world's best athletes. She also lectures and mentors upcoming practitioners in the field of sports nutrition, and offers online courses for supporting athletes, trainers, and sports enthusiasts how to nourish the body to achieve peak performance and fitness.

Using her 25+ years of clinical experience she has combined her knowledge of Naturopathic medicine with education in sports nutrition to create a truly wholistic approach to optimising performance for athletes and those striving for optimum health - especially women. Having lectured both within Australia and internationally on all things Naturopathic and sports nutrition, she is passionate about teaching people to take care of their bodies for the long term, not just treating them in the present moment. Kira believes that the role of a practitioner is to empower and teach clients to take care of themselves, to give them as much knowledge as possible.

In this episode we cover

• The missing health science for mid-life women and the science sex gap
• The dynamics between insulin, mitochondria, and cellular metabolism
• How the nutritional advice often suggested for men and young women does not always apply to mid-life women
• The role of muscle and mitochondria in health and metabolism
• Updated weight loss strategies for women over 40
• If the ketogenic diet or intermittent fasting is appropriate for this demographic
• The metabolic Health and Vitality for Women Over 40 online course. How you access it?
• And so much more

#259 Carla Wrenn is an Integrative Naturopath & Nutritionist. Completing a Bachelor of Health Science in 2001 and practicing for 21 years. As a passionate learner, Carla also completed postgraduate studies in Integrative Oncology, Autoimmune Diseases, and Functional Medicine in Australia and the USA. Carla's time is spent consulting in the area of complex and chronic diseases, especially Oncology.

Carla is the owner of Peninsula Herbal Dispensary & Naturopathic Clinic, where Carla works with 12 Naturopaths and a support team, who love providing Acute Care, Consultations and lifestyle retail offerings to their Mornington Peninsula community and beyond. Carla is a passionate advocate for all we have to offer as Naturopathic and Complementary Medicine Practitioners. She values industry collaboration and has spent the last 6 years training over 1000 Practitioners in her course Vitae Mosaic – Naturopathic Functional Medicine and more recently in the areas of evidence-based oncology support and Long COVID.

• Is there an official definition and diagnostic criteria for long covid
• The clinical presentation of Long Covid. How does someone know they have Long COVID?
• The biological changes that occur
• Common drivers
• The link with autoimmune conditions
• What should someone do if they have Long COVID?
• How we diagnose officially. Can we diagnose accurately?
• Treatment strategies and how naturopaths can help
• So much more

#258 Dr. Drossman is trained in gastroenterology and psychiatry and is an internationally recognized scientist, clinician, and educator in DGBIs and communication skills training. He is the founder, former president, and currently COO of the Rome Foundation. He is Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry in Gastroenterology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also president of DrossmanCare, which develops workshops and training programs in communication skills, and he sees patients with complex DGBIs in his gastroenterology practice.

Johannah Ruddy is a highly-recognized patient advocate with a background in education and management of non-profit health organizations. She is the executive director of the Rome Foundation and is on the Board of Directors of DrossmanCare. As Executive Director, she coordinates operations and educational programs. With DrossmanCare, she facilitates workshops in patient-centered care and is a simulated patient in videos on communication skills.

• Why they wrote the book - Gut Feelings - the patient's story.
• New insights that were gained as a health practitioner from hearing patients' stories
• Johannah's personal healthcare experience. The impact it has had on her healing
• The biggest gaps in the patient-practitioner relationship
• How we can have an excellent patient-practitioner relationship
• We run through some case studies
• And so much more

#257 Alex is an experienced naturopathic nutritionist with over ten years experience in helping women optimise their hormones, fertility and reproductive health. Her special mission is to show women with Endometriosis how to get their quality of life back through the combined power of natural, environmental and conventional medicine.

Alex's approach is grounded in the principles of both naturopathic and evidence-based medicine. She is passionate about incorporating the latest research into her clinical practice, including her own research work with the National Institute of Complimentary Medicine (NICM). She also works extensively with the Australian medical community to ensure the best possible outcomes for her clients. Outside of her clinic, Alex is a passionate advocate for the natural medicine industry, supporting lobbying activities through her work with the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS). On behalf of ATMS she also runs Australia's largest Continuing Professional Education program for fellow practitioners who want to stay on top of the latest science.

• Alex's personal journey with endometriosis
• What the research states about the causes of endometriosis
• Why so many endometriosis diagnoses are going missed
• The importance of a multi-modality approach
• Dietary strategies - including the effectiveness of biological amines and low FODMAP
• The link between dysfunctional iron metabolism and endometriosis symptoms. Why supplementation or infusions are often not the solution
• The link between infections and endometriosis
• Natural therapies for symptom relief
• And so much more