Ep. 184: Gut Check: Nutrition & Digestive Health
Listen, Rate & Subscribe*
YouTube // Apple Podcasts // Spotify // Google Podcasts // Stitcher // Amazon Music
Gastrointestinal health complaints form a large proportion of the reasons people visit their doctors—even though few people like to talk about what’s going on down there. And Medcan’s registered dietitians often get questions about how to promote digestion. So our Eat host, Leslie Beck, Medcan’s clinical director of food and nutrition, suggested a guide to all the gut, microbiome and digestive tract questions our listeners might otherwise not be comfortable asking. Here, Beck is joined by Medcan gastroenterologist Dr. Bharat Markandey to tackle: What foods promote gut health? Do probiotics and prebiotics work? And how can you tell whether everything’s working correctly? It’s all in here—and more!
LINKS
Read this article by the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, called The Scoop on Poop.
Read this 2023 meta-analysis that shows the global prevalence of constipation in older adults.
Check out the Bristol Stool Chart.
Learn more about The American Gut Project, currently the largest published study on the human microbiome.
“Less frequent bowel movements were associated with poorer cognitive function,” according to this Alzheimer’s Association International Conference press release on July 19, 2023.
This 2022 study in Nutrients found that eating golden kiwi regularly can be an effective treatment for constipation.
See the Rome criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), mentioned by Beck.
Learn more about how fermented foods can diversify your microbiome in episode 87 with Leslie Beck and Stanford researchers Dr. Christopher Gardner and Dr. Justin Sonnenburg.
INSIGHTS
02:06 Why gut health is such a popular health and wellness trend.
03:43 How to keep your microbiome healthy with your dietary habits.
06:03 Do you need a probiotic supplement?
08:24 How to know if you have a healthy gut.
10:24 Lifestyle habits to prevent constipation.
13:20 Can you become dependent on laxatives?
16:40 The Bristol Stool Chart and your daily pattern.
21:02 GERD and how to avoid it.
24:07 IBS and bloating are the most common concerns Dr. Markandey and Beck hear from clients.
26:15 The low FODMAP diet for bloating.
29:02 Dr. Markandey’s own strategies for a healthy gut.
*LEGAL
This podcast episode is intended to provide general information about health and wellness only and is not designed, or intended to constitute, or be used as a substitute for, medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. You should always talk to your Medcan health care provider for individual medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, including your specific health and wellness needs.
The podcast is based on the information available at the time of preparation and is only accurate and current as of that date. Source information and recommendations are subject to change based on scientific evidence as it evolves over time. Medcan is not responsible for future changes or updates to the information and recommendations, and assumes no obligation to update based on future developments.
Reference to, or mention of, specific treatments or therapies, does not constitute or imply a recommendation or endorsement. The links provided within the associated document are to assist the reader with the specific information highlighted. Any third-party links are not endorsed by Medcan.