In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with Tom Fabian, PhD, Senior Educator and Research Specialist at Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, about why higher protein intake doesn’t always lead to better muscle outcomes. Emerging research shows that digestion, microbiome balance, and immune signaling all influence how effectively the body utilizes dietary protein.

Dr. Fabian explores the gut–muscle axis and explains how microbiome-derived metabolites and regulatory T cells support tissue repair and recovery. The conversation also highlights why variability in protein digestion matters and how evaluating gut function can help practitioners determine whether patients are positioned to benefit from higher protein intake.

Transcript, show notes, and a free Clinical Takeaways handout for a concise summary of key insights from this episode at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Tom Fabian, PhD, translates microbiome research into clinical insights for functional medicine. He is a science advisor with Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory and a Science Advisory Board member with Designs for Health.

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