What a pleasure it is having Dr. Janna Scharfenberg as the next guest on the pod! Dr. Scharfenberg is a medical doctor and Ayurveda expert and joins your hosts for an insightful conversation on how ancient Ayurvedic principles can transform modern gut health practices.

Ayurveda is an ancient system of natural medicine that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. Its name translates to "the science of life" (Ayur meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge). Rooted in the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit, Ayurveda focuses on prevention and holistic healing. This episode covers:

• What the principles of Ayurveda are and an introduction to the three doshas
• The role of the gut in Ayurveda, and how it compares to modern medicine
• Common Ayurvedic remedies that can benefit gut issues
• Key Ayurvedic herbs and spices and their impact on gut health
• How to combine Ayurvedic approaches with conventional treatments for digestive disorders
• Dr. Janna’s advice on how to start integrating Ayurvedic practices into our modern lives

While Ayurveda offers some truly profound insights, achieving true wellness often requires balancing these ancient practices with evidence-based conventional medicine to ensure safe and effective outcomes.

About Dr. Janna Scharfenberg:

Dr. Janna Scharfenberg is a holistic physician, certified yoga instructor, and author based in Zurich, Switzerland. She specialises in integrating conventional medicine with Ayurveda. Through her Modern Ayurveda Institute, Dr. Scharfenberg offers comprehensive training programs, empowering individuals to incorporate Ayurvedic principles into their personal and professional lives. She is also the author of "Ayurveda for Life," a practical guide that adapts ancient Ayurvedic wisdom for modern lifestyles.

Connect with Janna:

Instagram

Website 

Podcast 

This season, your hosts are introducing a series called Gut Stories - bringing the "patient or client" perspective to the show. 

Up until now, they’ve focused on professionals and how they manage various gut conditions but it’s time to explore and share the challenges people face within the medical and healthcare systems.  This will help raise awareness about different gut conditions from their unique point of view.

On today’s episode, you’ll meet Jennifer. She shares her story and journey living with two chronic conditions, endometriosis and coeliac disease. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, leading to pain, infertility, and other complications. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where eating gluten damages the small intestine, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and nutrient deficiencies. The only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet.

Could there be a connection? Listen to this raw discussion of one person’s difficult journey, her struggles within the healthcare system and where she is now. 

About Jennifer

Jennifer Walter is a sociologist, pathfinder, and certified NLP and EFT practitioner who supports too-brilliant-to-not- shine humans on their scenic route from surviving to thriving. With an MA in Sociology, 20+ years of working in branding, design and communication, and a wealth of personal experience, Jennifer brings academic expertise and down- to-earth relatability. Jennifer is also the host of the Scenic Route podcast, which Sandra had the pleasure of previously being on. 

Connect with Jennifer:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Website 

Dr. Sophie Bostock joins Sandra on the pod today to uncover the mysteries of sleep and its profound impact on our health. Starting with the essential functions of sleep, Dr. Bostock explains why it’s vital for both physical and mental well-being. They explore how sleep connects to our circadian rhythms, the body’s natural clock, and how disruptions can lead to health issues.

Dr. Bostock also delves into the effects of stress and hormonal changes on sleep, particularly for women, and weighs in on the safety of sleep aids like melatonin. Finally, she shares her favourite sleep hacks, common mistakes to avoid, and strategies to get better rest. This episode covers: 

• Why do we sleep?
• Circadian rhythms and the impact of sleep disruption on our health
• Stress and hormonal influences on sleep
• Should we use melatonin if we’re struggling with sleep?
• The top 3 mistakes people do that negatively impact their sleep
• Sophie’s sleep hacks for a good night’s sleep
• Sandra and Wagdy tie it all together through the lens of gut health

About Dr. Sophie Bostock:

Dr Sophie Bostock is a Sleep Evangelist on a mission: to help millions of people to improve their lives by unlocking the science of sleep and performance. With a background in medicine, Sophie became fascinated by the role of sleep and circadian rhythms for protecting health. After working on the award-winning sleep improvement programme, Sleepio, Sophie launched TheSleepScientist.com to provide sleep training and consultancy for for clients in business, the media, the military and elite sport.

Connect with Sophie:

Instagram

Linked In

Youtube

In the latest episode of The Gastroenterologist and His Daughter, your hosts are back and dive into a condition that impacts millions worldwide: gastritis. Kicking off this new season, they discuss what gastritis is, the common symptoms, and key causes—ranging from bacterial infections and NSAID use to alcohol, smoking, and stress. 

While diet alone doesn’t cause gastritis, it can aggravate symptoms, so they explore how foods like fatty, spicy, or acidic items can influence discomfort. Sandra & Wagdy also cover lifestyle tips and soothing foods that support healing, helping listeners manage and prevent gastritis through smart, everyday choices. This episode covers: 

• Defining gastritis and what the most common symptoms are
• What causes gastritis and how is it diagnosed?
• Can diet and stress cause gastritis? 
• How to treat gastritis medically 
• What should I eat and avoid if I am diagnosed with gastritis?
• If gastritis causes cancer
• The gastritis prevention plan

Disclaimer: This podcast is not meant to be used, nor should it be used, to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician or healthcare provider. The podcast is for education purposes only and it is advised that you exercise your own judgement before using the information provided. Always consult your healthcare team for medical advice before taking any action.

Connect with your hosts on LinkedIn

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail 

For more information visit instagram.com/nutritionaz_by_sandramikhail OR nutritition-az.com

The Gut Chronicles: An uncensored journey into the world of digestive health and illness is out now worldwide where books are sold. 

This is an exceptional, not-to-miss episode because Dr. Miguel Toribio-Mateas is on the pod! Known affectionately as "The Creative Scientist," Miguel is a clinical neuroscientist and nutrition researcher in the UK. His expertise centers on the intricate gut-brain connection, drawing on a rich, real-world scientific foundation rather than purely academic pursuits. In today’s episode, your hosts take a deep dive into the world of the gut-brain connection with Miguel, exploring the role of our gut microbes and how they communicate with the brain, how changes in their composition can impact mental health and if lifestyle factors such as diet can influence this connection. This episode covers:

• How a resilient microbiome can be both good and bad
• Which microbes are detrimental to the gut
• Neurotransmitters 101: Serotonin, GABA, Dopamine & Acetylcholine
• Misconceptions about neurotransmitters produced in the gut
• When would microbiome testing be appropriate
• Current associations between the gut microbiome and mental health conditions
• How difficult it is to define mental health
• Mental health vs Mental Illness 
• If diet and lifestyle truly have a impact on this connection
• How ADHD is a type of brain without the need to pathologise it
• And much more! 

Your hosts tried their best not to keep Miguel for hours but he has been a wealth of knowledge, breaking down what the science is currently telling us about the gut-brain axis and the changes you need to make to look after that connection. 

More About Dr. Miguel Toribio-Mateas 

Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas, known affectionately as "The Creative Scientist," is a clinical neuroscientist and nutrition researcher in the UK. His expertise centres on the intricate gut-brain connection, drawing on a rich, real-world scientific foundation rather than purely academic pursuits. Dr. Miguel's academic journey includes degrees in Nutritional Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, culminating in a Doctorate focused on Mental Health and the Gut Microbiome. His doctoral studies coincided with a five-year Research Innovation Fellowship funded by the European Regional Development Fund, where he explored the profound effects of gut health on mood, cognition, and overall wellbeing. Today, he continues this important work as a Research Fellow at Cardiff University's School of Psychology.

Navigating life with ADHD and autism, Dr Miguel possesses a deep, personal understanding of the specific dietary needs of neurodivergent individuals. He

emphasises the critical role of dietary choices in enhancing executive functioning, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. His philosophy is captured in his words: “By understanding and addressing the nuanced relationships between what

we eat and how our brains operate, we empower ourselves to make choices that not only nourish our bodies but also support our neurodivergent minds in navigating daily tasks and interactions more smoothly.”

Dr Miguel offers personalised clinical consultations and has crafted a comprehensive course titled "Thrive with ADHD," available at drmiguelmateas.com/

thrive-with-adhd-course. He is also the author of a forthcoming book by the same name, set to be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in late 2024/early 2025. To discover more about his transformative work and offerings, visit drmiguelmateas.com or connect with him through social media @drmiguelmateas for further insights.

Another solo episode with Sandra shedding light on trendy topics within the realm of gut health, and today, it’s all about gut detoxes and cleanses. 

The concept of detox and cleanses has gained significant traction in recent years and it’s just not wanting to die! We're constantly bombarded with advertisements for detox teas, juice cleanses, colonics, and a variety of supplements promising to flush out toxins and rejuvenate our bodies. But are these so-called cleanses and detoxes causing more harm than good? Today’s episode covers:

• The types of popular detoxes and cleanses
• Why the term “detox” is not a medical term
• How our body’s own detoxification works
• Our gut’s role in detoxification
• 6 practices should you focus on to naturally enhance your body’s cleansing system including your gut

If someone comes to you with a gut detox or cleanse, RUN! 

Remember to subscribe to the pod for more gut journeys and poo talk! If you have any gut-related questions you’d like your hosts to answer live on the pod, send your questions to [email protected].

Connect with your hosts on LinkedIn

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail 

For more information visit instagram.com/nutritionaz_by_sandramikhail OR nutritition-az.com

Grab your copy of The Gut Chronicles: An uncensored journey into the world of digestive health and illness. 

A very special guest is on the pod today! In this episode, Sandra takes a deep dive into the personal and professional journey of Ariadna Masó, an innovator whose path to revolutionising patient care began with her own struggles. You’ll be listening to her story from the initial symptoms to the creation of Sanno, a groundbreaking platform in health management. This episode covers:

• Ariadna’s gut story and her journey from symptoms to being diagnosed with a chronic gut condition
• The birth of SANNO to address healthcare gaps
• How SANNO is changing patient progress and research in the fields of gut health, women’s health and metabolic health
• What balance looks like when you’re living with a chronic gut condition and are running a fast-growing business
• Ariadna’s lifestyle non-negotiables and habits
• Her message to young entrepreneurs

We are fairly certain that you’ll be inspired by Ariadna’s story. Remember, balancing health and ambition is a journey, not a destination. You can connect with our guest and learn more about her work at:

Website: https://www.sanno.health

Connect with Ariadna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariadnamaso/

Connect with your hosts on LinkedIn

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail 

Remember to subscribe to the pod for more gut journeys and poo talk! If you have any gut-related questions you’d like your hosts to answer live on the pod, send your questions to [email protected].

Before listening to this episode, please note that your hosts do discuss the topic of weight so if you do find this triggering, please prioritise your mental wellbeing and skip this one! 

There has been a lot of talk about “obesity” recently, its definition and the flaws associated with that including how stigmatising this term can be. In this episode, your hosts have an honest discussion about what the current research says about gut-weight connection specifically looking at the role of the gut microbiome in relation to weight as well as certain gut conditions linked to obesity. This episode covers:

• Weight stigma in healthcare and the consequences of it
• Defining obesity, its causes and the flaws around using BMI
• How our gut microbiome influences our weight
• Understanding our gut microbiome’s role in appetite regulation and fat storage
• Gut conditions associated with excessive body fat that poses a risk to health
• Fact or Fiction when it comes to nutrition & weight management

We hope this episode sheds light on the complex relationship between the gut microbiome and weight, challenging common perceptions and encouraging a more informed and compassionate discussion around this topic. Remember, your hosts’ aim is to provide you with valuable insights and foster a supportive environment. If you have any gut-related questions you’d like them to answer live on the pod,  send your to  [email protected]! 

Connect with your hosts on LinkedIn

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail 

For more information visit instagram.com/nutritionaz_by_sandramikhail OR nutritition-az.com

Grab your copy of The Gut Chronicles: An uncensored journey into the world of digestive health and illness. 

Phytic acid has gained a controversial reputation in recent years, with various health enthusiasts and dietary gurus and unqualified health coaches labelling it as an "anti-nutrient" to be avoided. This has led to misguided advice to steer clear of legumes, nuts, and seeds, which are staples in many healthy diets and are crucial for gut health. 

In this mini episode, Sandra debunks the top 3 fear-mongering messages that you’ve probably come across and talks about why you should not be fearful of phytic acid. This episode covers:

• The 3 fear mongering messages you should ignore
• The benefits of phytic acid especially when it comes to gut health
• Who should pay more attention to phytic acid and when does it matter?
• Smart approaches to reduce phytic acid
• Meal combinations to balance phytic acid content

Stop listening to unqualified quacks with online degrees and zero nutritional training! Social media has been one of the biggest sources of harmful pseudoscience. When in doubt, ask a registered nutritionist or dietitian and if  you have any gut-related questions you’d like us to answer live on the pod? Send us your questions via  [email protected]! 

For more information visit instagram.com/nutritionaz_by_sandramikhail OR nutritition-az.com

Grab your copy of The Gut Chronicles: An uncensored journey into the world of digestive health and illness. 

If you made it through the last episode on gut health diagnostics, then good on you! It was a jam packed episode and today, it’s time to close the very brief chapter on diagnostic tests related to the gut. The episode starts with them answering a listener’s question whether over-investigating is better than under-investigating. Then, Wagdy will walk you through all the imaging techniques, which include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound, while Sandra will walk you through breath testing. 

This episode covers:

• Whether over-investigating is better than under-investigating
• Imaging Techniques in assessing gut health, including X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound; why and when?
• Breath testing including their pros and cons specific to SIBO
• Why we need to be mindful of the interpretation of results
• What conditions can be diagnosed with each imaging technique
• The importance of PET scans in cancers of the GI tract

And with this, your hosts’s aim with this specific topic was to equip you with the confidence in understanding why your health care practitioner might request a specific test, what these tests mean and what to expect. 

Do you have any gut-related questions you’d like us to answer live on the pod? Send us your questions via  [email protected]

Connect with your hosts on LinkedIn

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail