What A Gastroenterologist Tells His Patients About Probiotics
Gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, are common gastrointestinal symptoms. Many health conscious consumers turn to over-the-counter remedies, like probiotics, for relief. But how do we know if probiotics will help and which probiotic is best. Dr. Emeran Mayer joins us in this episode to explain the gut microbiome and how an imbalance of good and bad gut bacteria can impact our health. He also provides insight on the role of probiotics and whether or not they are beneficial to keeping the gut happy and healthy.
Listen Now!
Watch the Video Version of this Episode
Featured Guests in this Episode
Dr. Mayer
Distinguished Research Professor in the Departments of Medicine, Physiology and Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Dr. Mayer is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Departments of Medicine, Physiology and Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Executive Director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, and Co-director of the CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center at UCLA.
He is a world renowned gastroenterologist and neuroscientist with 35 years of experience. His current research focus on the role of the gut microbiota brain interactions has expanded to emotion regulation, chronic visceral pain, food addiction and obesity, cognitive decline and autism spectrum disorders.
His research has been continuously supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He has published over 353 peer reviewed scientific articles, including 100 chapters and reviews, co-edited four books, and organized several interdisciplinary symposia in the area of mind body interactions and chronic visceral pain.
He has published the Mind Gut Connection book in 2016 which became a bestseller in Gastroenterology and which has been translated into14 languages.
Featured Podcast Episodes
February 13, 2024
Are Probiotic Food Labels Misleading?
Many people consume probiotic-containing foods to strengthen or revitalize their gut flora and potentially reduce gastrointestinal symptoms like gas and bloating. But do these foods actually contain the strains and amounts of good bacteria that is expected from what is printed on the label? We welcome Dr. Sabine Hazan, a gastroenterologist and microbiome expert from Ventura, CA, to discuss her findings from a recent study she presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting. The study analyzed 26 commercially available probiotic-containing foods to determine the presence and abundance of Bifidobacteria and other microbes and compare them to expected ingredients. Her findings–and–tips for consuming probiotic foods may surprise you.
February 7, 2023
How Do I Talk to My Doctor About My IBS and IBS with Constipation Symptoms and Treatment Options?
Open communication between patients and their health care providers is vital for accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment, especially for GI conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or IBS with Constipation (IBS-C), which often present with multiple symptoms and are impacted by lifestyle factors like diet and stress. In this episode, Dr. Douglas Drossman and Johannah Ruddy of the Rome Foundation return to share their expertise in effective patient-provider communications. They explain why it's important for patients to clearly describe their symptoms and how patients can communicate with their healthcare providers even when the topic seems embarrassing. This episode also features expert tips on how patients can start the conversation with their healthcare providers about treatment options and alternatives for symptom relief when the patient feels the current treatment plan is not working.
December 7, 2021
ACG 2021: Research Highlights For Patients
Gastroenterologists Dr. Tauseef Ali and Dr. Pooja Singhal from SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK share their insights on several new and exciting studies that were presented at the annual American College of Gastroenterology Conference this past fall. Tune in to hear how these studies may impact your digestive health from colonoscopy screening and the gut microbiome, to IBD, bloating, distension and COVID-19.
Let’s Keep in Touch!
Subscribe to get the latest news and content delivered straight to your inbox.
Listen to our
latest Podcast!