“You have dysbiosis.”

A medical-sounding phrase that quickly comes across as a clear diagnosis. But what does dysbiosis actually mean in scientific terms? The term is used frequently in doctors' offices, literature, and public discourse. At the same time, it often remains unclear what it specifically refers to.

This episode provides some clarity: What is a “healthy” microbiome anyway? Is there a universal standard? What different patterns of dysbiosis are described in the specialist literature? And in which clinical situations is the term actually reliable? From butyrate and diversity to the ecological dynamics of the gut microbiome, a distinction is made between data, interpretation, and terminology.

A spoonful of fresh yogurt or a forkful of sauerkraut, and a journey reminiscent of an epic drama begins inside us. But while we are still enjoying the taste, billions of microorganisms are already heading for what is probably the most dangerous barrier in evolution: the stomach.

There is often a persistent myth that stomach acid, like a biological blast furnace, mercilessly destroys every bacterium. But modern microbiome research paints a much more nuanced picture. It is a fascinating interplay of chemistry, physics, and perfect timing that determines who actually reaches the “overcrowded paradise” of the large intestine alive.

In this episode, we dive deep into the human system and accompany our microbial helpers through the various stages of digestion. We reveal the secret behind the window of survival and explain why the so-called food matrix can mean the difference between a safe submarine and a safe end for a bacterium. From the aggressive environment of the parietal cells to the chemical task force in the small intestine to the question of why permanent colonization of probiotics is usually not the goal at all.

A search for clues to the reality behind fermented foods, in which one thing becomes clear: “arriving” in the gut means something completely different than most people assume.

Heartburn is common and extremely unpleasant. Stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing the typical burning sensation.

This episode deals with reflux and heartburn and whether probiotics can help. It highlights processes such as gastric emptying, abdominal pressure, nervous control, and the role of the intestine.

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Training feels good. It brings structure, clarity, strength. And yet almost everyone knows that moment when performance suddenly stops improving. Despite discipline, despite routine, despite well designed training. Recovery takes longer. Fatigue lingers. Progress stalls.

This episode starts exactly where many stop asking questions. Not with the training plan, not with willpower, but deeper. In the gut. In a biological system that quietly supports performance when things work and applies the brakes when balance is lost. It is about the body under load. About stress, inflammation, and adaptation. About metabolic processes that determine whether energy is available, whether muscles respond, and whether recovery truly happens. And about a microbiome that is far more than a digestive aid.

This episode connects fitness with biology. It shows why performance does not arise in muscle alone, why recovery is not just a matter of sleep, and why two people can respond very differently to the same training.

Bloating is not random. It is the result of a highly active biological system. This episode explains how the large intestine functions as an anaerobic bioreactor, why fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, acetate and propionate, and how gases like hydrogen, CO₂ and methane reveal the true metabolic state of your microbiome.

You’ll learn how the intestinal H₂-economy works, how methanogens, sulfate reducers and acetogens compete for hydrogen and why the same meal can trigger completely different reactions in different people. The episode also breaks down the key mechanisms behind FODMAPs, polyols, visceral hypersensitivity, SIBO and the migrating motor complex. It highlights why modern eating patterns overwhelm the microbiome and how a sudden increase in fiber can trigger a “fiber shock”.

A clear, scientifically grounded exploration of the biological logic behind bloating, gas formation and food intolerance. Concise, relatable and free of myths.

Are there bacteria in the brain or not? In My Bacteria – Weekly Update, Dr. Jiri Snaidr gets to the bottom of the possible brain microbiome. The brain is considered sterile but new studies point to bacteria and fungi in brain tissue. Are they real inhabitants or just contaminants? A controversial search for clues between neurobiology and microbiome research.

For decades, the human brain has been considered one of the most sterile places in the body. But time and again, researchers report finding traces of DNA, structures, or even cultures of bacteria and fungi in brain tissue. What is behind this? In this episode, we shed light on the blood-brain barrier, the difference between infection and a possible “brain microbiome,” and explore the question of how Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative diseases are linked to microorganisms. From spectacular studies to sobering contaminations—a scientific thriller about sterile dogmas, new hypotheses, and the question of whether our brain is really as germ-free as we believe.

They influence digestion, metabolism, and the gut microbiota, regulate hormones like GLP-1 and PYY, and reach deep into biochemical processes.

This episode explores how fiber stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, nourishes the microbiome, and where its limits lie. A journey through the physiology of the gut – from gel formation in the stomach to fermentation in the colon and the role of short-chain fatty acids. Scientifically grounded, precisely narrated, and embedded in the biology of everyday life.

Microplastics have quietly become part of our bodies, found in water, food, blood, and even the brain. But their most profound impact may lie within the gut. Tiny plastic particles interact with the intestinal microbiome, disrupting its delicate balance and triggering inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune reactions.

This episode explores how microplastics alter the gut microbiota, how these changes may contribute to metabolic and neurological disorders, and what current research reveals about their hidden pathways inside the human body. It also looks at protective strategies that can help the microbiome stay resilient in an increasingly plastic world.

Is your microbiome predetermined, or can you shape it through diet and lifestyle?

Fiber, probiotics, antibiotics, or even stool transplants – there are many ways to shape the microbiome. But which of these actually work, which are only short-term solutions, and where does the resilience of our intestinal flora reach its limits?

This episode highlights the latest findings on the intestinal microbiome, oral flora, and skin microbiota. Critical, fact-based, and clearly classified: How much control do you really have over your microbes, and what does that mean for your health?

A podcast by Dr. Jiri Snaidr exploring the hidden world of microorganisms that shape our lives. Episode

We inhale them every day – tiny, invisible forms of life carried by every breath of air we take. This episode dives into the fascinating world of airborne microbes: how they influence our microbiome, which types float around us, and why their diversity can affect our health, allergies, and immune system.

From city smog to mountain air – the composition of the microbial cloud surrounding us is constantly changing. Discover how seasons, climate, and environment shape the microbial signature of the air and what modern research reveals about their role inside our bodies.

An exciting and scientifically grounded look at the invisible ecosystem we take in with every breath – one that may be far more connected to us than we realize.