Understanding The Microbiome, Erica Sonnenburg, PhD

The bacteria living in the human gut (a.k.a. the "microbiome") is constantly changing and adapting with diet and lifestyle. In this two-part presentation, Erica Sonnenburg, PhD explains her research on this phenomena and describes how she promotes a healthy microbiota through a fiber heavy diet. Visit soulfoodsalon.com to learn more!
Erica is a Senior Research Scientist at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in Stanford University School of Medicine. During her presentation at the April SOUL Food Salon event, she takes the time to share her findings and answer audience questions at the end (see Part Three).
The trillions of microbes that we harbor within our gut are profoundly reshaping what it means to be human. These bacteria are wired into our immune system, our metabolism, and even our brains. Whether you have a food allergy, have trouble losing weight, or struggle with depression, these conditions may be in some way dictated by what some refer to as our forgotten organ, our microbiome.
Erica discusses what we know and what we still need to learn about our microbiome. She discuses why she thinks our guts are undergoing a mass extinction event, and what we can do now to improve the state of our gut bacteria.
ABOUT SOUL FOOD SALON
Centered on the goal of creating community and wellness around food, SOUL Food Salons are monthly gatherings that focus on culinary technique and nutrition. The name of the event is an acronym for seasonal, organic, unprocessed and local food, which is bountiful around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Hosted by founder Jeanne Rosner, MD. Our goal is to educate and empower us all to be healthier. We host monthly health and wellness events in the Bay Area. Connect with Jeanne, visit the website and follow our social media pages!
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[@mahlina1220]

My family is from Vietnam (a good mix between blood O, A, B types- supposedly B types have the _moat_ diverse gut microbiome). I remember growing up and hearing from my relatives (old and young) they would _constantly_ drill it into our heads to “eat a lot of vegetables always.” They’d grow every types of greens in the backyard with herbs as condiments. We’d eat plates and plates of raw fresh herbs and veggies at family gatherings (baskets of veggie washing). As the kids grew up (being American born), we lost our traditions, and now hardly eat vegetables, not even in one generation. But, it all makes sense now-our diet growing up was a combination of ferments, primarily vegetables (cooked and raw). You can tell the difference in energy and skin quality. We now need to get back in touch with our roots, _as a society, as a whole._

[@Kassiusday]

Does the skin was looking obviously better with the veggie foods ???

[@quandmeme9970]

Ok so what changes have you done during these 6 months?

[@emilys1231]

@@Kassiusday For sure, IMO vegan diet is good for clean up. But for sustain you need a little bit of happily grown meat and fish.

[@FaridaSultanaIchoosesuccess]

@@emilys1231 NO!

[@tradehut2782]

@@FaridaSultanaIchoosesuccess yes. All ex vegans are proof.

[@gregmiller1491]

The reason I loved this lecture......... Erica Sonnenburg is a scientist, AND says phrases like "we have no idea" . Honest. Refreshing. This seems like an exciting area of research, because it's new, and there is no existing scientific dogma or consensus to shoot down every new idea.

[@hoboeyjobi7020]

actually "we have no idea" is kind of like a central theme in science. a celebrated declaration. it's one of the most common phrases a scientist uses. "we don't know". just another small thing that makes the nature of science so beautiful. it's honest ❤

[@StudioRV8]

I couldn’t agree more. I can’t stand it when people think science is settled. It will never be settled until the end of time. This is an outstanding presentation. The implications of a healthy gut are profound, but pharma will never be interested because there is no money in it. Well done, Erica.

[@carrieweaver6161]

Just a suggestion but my thought is that the microbiome of elderly people could be changing because of bad teeth that are causing them to not be able to chew and eat as many high fiber foods.

[@KG-if2oc]

Regarding serotonin getting from the gut to the brain: ABSOLUTELY YES! I have first hand experience. I had recently learned how to make sourkraut at that time and generally ate it with meals. I then decided to try it with red cabbage as an experiment in flavor. One morning, i woke up in a particularly foul mood. It was time to try the new red version so i got a serving out (an odd breakfast, i know) and started absentmindedly chewing while staring out the window, on an empty stomach. After a couple of minutes it occurred to me that i wasnt feeling that rotten and then there became a confusing disconnect because my conscious brain was still adamantly pursuing the 'hating the world' scenario while another part of my brain was actually feeling quite pleasant. It was so odd! By the time i finished that serving, i had to admit that i was feeling perfectly relaxed and content. I was astonished. It was so quick and so definitively obvious that i became a believer right then and there.

[@SH-jg5zq]

Wow 👍

[@lorib5398]

My blood oxygen level goes up when I eat spinach and balsamic vinegar, and I feel better. I eat spinach for breakfast some days, so you're not alone!😉

[@valjean2036]

@@lorib5398 how do u know ? It's blood oxygen ?

[@PhilWhelanNow]

Kombucha relieves enduring pain from gallstones for me. Fermentation is a kind of outsourcing of digestion, adds troops to the right side of the bacterial war zone that is the human gut.

[@mpmpmp3456]

Amazing lecture. It is good to see that 5 year in after this lecture there are more and more research in this field made things more obvious thank you

[@shirwanmirzamd3895]

This is a typical scientific lecture. Very knowledgeable, experienced, yet humble and often saying "I don't know" when the answer is unknown. This is in contrast to some authors or speakers or pseudo experts who make big claims and use words like "magic", "cure". one must respect scientists like Dr. Erica Sonnenburg.

[@colinthomson5358]

I always respect someone who says that way more than someone who tries to give the impression that we know almost everything about X. Our greatest minds should be the most humble cause they should appreciate "Wow I spent my life studying X and I'm still learning more." Making them realize how shallow their knowledge is about all the other subjects.

[@johnhutchison2268]

This is probably THE most important research taking place in the world at the moment. Thank you for such an informative presentation.

[@anitam5159]

Actually the most important research that should already be developed is carbon sequestration technology....have you heard of the McPherson paradox.....we're going extinct in less than 10 years....enjoy it while you can...only love remains...industrial civilization is a heat engine....if we go green....and slow down or turn it off....the suspended co2 clears up and the earth heats up more quickly...bye bye ice...bye bye everyone...so I'm not interested in my gut flora....just give me alcohol and chocolate for these end times...there's also a direct connection between capitalism and stress...go go go until you either kill yourself or the planet...we've accomplished both...

[@karlhungus5554]

@@anitam5159 said "...we're going extinct in less than 10 years..." No, we're not.

[@rebeccafit3475]

Anxiett

[@777Ryank]

@@anitam5159 You don't really believe that hogwash science do you? Best to you and yours 🙏

[@soniaflores8534]

Thanks for your wonderful work. Keep up the wonderful work. I loved your video.

[@gratitude5740]

I have travelled to Tanzania 🇹🇿 several times. Are my microbion colony from Tanzania in me? I love Tanzania. I slept in a cow dung and clay house on a cow skin on the ground . There are tribes, but most of the people are civilized and most of them hunt at a supermarket just like us . Tanzania is a very unique country and is being used as a good example by many scientists. There is something about it that makes me want to go over and over again.

[@ladellthomas4827]

⁶

[@MarcoMeerman]

One of the best lectures on microbiome iv'e seen.

[@soulfoodsalon6257]

Thank you!

[@hannahlennertkristiansen4797]

@War Dog why is it all wrong?

[@susannemoore6636]

I don't know if I believe that you cannot increase your gut biome diversity EVER! I personally changed my diet 2.5 years ago to 90% raw fruits and veggies. My GI test 2.5 years ago showed my diversity was low with NO certain strains of bacteria. My GI test a few months ago (after change in diet - no meat, no dairy, very low grains, no pasta, no sweets, no breads) now shows a greater diversity and some bacteria that was NONE 2.5 years ago, I now have. I think we can absolutely control our bacteria population with the foods we eat. If we can't get certain strains back its because they have been depleted from our food supply or our soils, that is my thought.

[@susan4abundance]

That is amazing! You have done what so many have such a hard time doing. We are usually pretty addicted to the foods we love. So giving them up - few can do unless they are facing a serious health problem. Otherwise, that takes strong will power, dedication and determination. Very great result for you - especially that you can show with the lab results. It would be great to hear about how this increase changed your health and prior symptoms. This is a great way to fast track the gut healing and clear the body of so many toxins. Some have to do it slower due to overall toxicity. Just as others have commented is the high importance of fats and I feel they need to be brought back in once the main health problem is back under control. I have always felt that there was biochemical uniqueness of individuals making us all require different things, and Erica just shed a whole new light on that! She also answered a question from a confused listener towards the end -- when someone asked for clarification at about 59:42 about her "NEVER" statement. She rephrased it a bit. I also think that there are some who have live the vegetarian or vegan life for many many years start to experience poorer brain function, more sensitivity of the nervous system (anxiety, unfocused, start to become un-grounded,) We know how important the fats are for the brain, myelin sheath, cell membranes.

[@HearturMind]

No sweets? Fruits and vegetables are loaded with sugars and starches which metabolize as sugars. It’s practically all sweets.

[@emilybh6255]

@@HearturMind There is a huge difference between sugar in refined food and sugar (fructose) in raw fruit which is the optimal fuel for the body. This explains it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/laHPlKZ9bs6od9E

[@HearturMind]

@@emilybh6255 wishful thinking. The proof is in the shriveling of these misguided individuals. Malnourish the brain and you will believe anything.

[@emilybh6255]

@@HearturMind You'll shrivel if you don't eat enough fruit. In fact you'll die if you try to cut out sugar because your body runs on it. No one can point to anyone who developed any chronic or degenerative condition from eating too much fruit because there is no such thing. Raw fruit is anti-inflammatory that hydrates, cleans and heals the human body. Whether you like it or not, humans are frugivores and are designed to eat fruit. That has been proven.

[@Advaya459]

I am passionate about health and good, fresh, home-made food and have never used "anti-bacterial" anything, even when I was laughed at. I thought I was pretty well-informed, but the way you explain the connect between our microbiome, fibre and inflammation - BRILLIANT. I learned something new today, thank you.

[@mizanurchowdhury9757]

Erica would you please address the issue regular use of antibiotic in raising cattle: whether antibiotic is harmful to cattle gut microbiota as we human don't use antibiotic on a regular basis. Thanks for presenting this emerging field, very informative !

[@GeoffreyGraham2]

This is the best, presentation about microbiome on KZbin. Well done! Erica

[@sheabeahan6757]

Thank you so much for sharing this! Incredibly informative AND inspiring! Cheers!

[@BioStuff415]

Great talk... and I started eating an entire diner plate of vegetables about 17 years ago. I could eat oatmeal breakfast, and I have a entire large frying pan loaded with veggies. At least 3 different veggies and one onion. And with that very late meal, I could last until the next day to eat. I would make and eat the large meal at school ( I teach biology) and everyone thought I was crazy. It is many years alter and I am sending this to friends, so they can get on board.

[@megangoldsney8214]

Very thorough explanation! So glad I found this.

[@rayher6918]

I'm going out picking blackberries just to feel more like a gatherer.

[@allee3476]

No, just stick to your gun and shoot down a moose.

[@robintaylor1466]

@@allee3476 idiot

[@KenWang2]

We are hunter/gatherers not just gatherers dummy

[@michellejennings2854]

Very honest and informative lecture! It is so exciting with the emerging research and discoveries on the microbiome. That being said, still a lot more work to do. Thanks for this 🙏🏻

[@rivawellness1607]

Such an informative video! Hard to believe that some yogurts rival soda in the amount of sugar! We really have to be informed consumers....and unfortunately most people aren't. Thanks for sharing, Dr. Sonnenburg!

[@keith7411]

C'mon, it's not that hard, the back of the label tells you the sugar content. These yogurts contain insane amounts of sugar.

[@OfftoShambala]

The hospitals love to give ensure drinks ... its chocolate flavored sugar with a few vitamins added... I think one box, smaller than a soda can, has more sugar than soda

[@MaverickLingo]

Your book "The Good Gut" is changing my life. Thank you so much. Wonderful information.

[@supercooled]

Can you provide a synopsis of why you feel it's having such a profound effect?

[@RebelleFleur5]

Amazing research and an amazing presentation Dr Erica Sonnenburg! Thank you for sharing your findings with the world! 😃

[@thomasstevenrothmbamd2384]

The medical industrial complex's failure to properly research and diagnose and treat microbiome and diet and sleep and vital nutritional deficiency issues (including those related to Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 and Magnesium deficiencies as well as iatrogenic prescription medication usage) is a major reason why psychiatric iatrogenesis is a primary contributor to the third leading cause of death in the U.S. (which is iatrogenesis in general). If the U.S. spent just a fraction of the over $40 billion each year it spends just on iatrogenic psychiatric drugs alone, for properly researching the issues discussed in this and related KZbin presentations we would probably, Lord willing, achieve an absolute revolution in medical efficacy improvement and iatrogenesis reduction. Thomas Steven Roth, MBA, MD Christian Minister for Biblical Medical Ethics, and therefore, Scientific and Religious Refugee from the Clinical Practice of Psychiatric Standards of Care

[@GlynWilliams1950]

That was a great and powerful lecture. I had thought fibre was not necessary, but you proved me wrong. You raised a lot of interesting points and I will watch it again to glean from them and take notes. Great job Erica. BTW, I love your lifestyle.

[@everydayagent2210]

Thank you for your time and energy spent on this research! It is soooo important!

[@soulfoodsalon6257]

Absolutely!

[@nehawahi2206]

One of the most honest and well explained lecture on this topic

[@joelmab221]

Great information Dr. Erica. Very well explained...Let food be our medicine! Eat healthy, exercise and sleep good and you are going to feel amazing...Let's feed the good bacteria inside of us with fiber and a healthy diet...

[@michaelaclarke3228]

Excellent. What a great speaker, and such useful information. Thank you.

[@V4D2]

this was brilliant..! thanks so much for your work, and thank you for sharing it on an open source platform..namely one that i can listen to. i wish u the very best cheers from Portugal

[@lhoffbauer]

Love hulda clark’s research in Canada God rest her soul

[@stephd479]

One of the best videos on the microbiota I've found yet. Thank you

[@soulfoodsalon6257]

Thank you!

[@rnunezc.4575]

Excellent talk, Best I ve listen on subject. Thank you..!

[@pamelathorp4621]

Great combo of science and practical tips. Thank-you!

[@soulfoodsalon6257]

Thanks for watching!

[@ladellthomas4827]

Bji

[@myeyeimagery7562]

We must respect, care for and study the bacterial populations around our bodies, working symbiotically with various body systems to help us experience vital lives. May All be well, and find clarity and stability :)

[@MichelePearl]

This woman is brilliant. Wow. Really makes one think.

[@lisengel2498]

And what a hopefull information for all - we can improve our health by changing our diet to more dietary fiber - and my personal experience was that just 10 days on a 95 % whole food plant based diet primarily on oats, Brown Rice, Rye bread, potatoes, vegetables, Greens, roots, onions, mushrooms, lentils, and a tiny bit of fish completely took away my severe migraines that had been a great problem in my life and at the same time made it much easier to indulge in my passion for physical training and dancing without getting very sour muscles.

[@GregMeadMaker]

Thank you for this lecture. I am inspired to increase fiber, fermented foods, pro & pre-biotics. I wonder how circadian disruption via blue light at night affects our microbiome.

[@fen016]

Check out Dr. Jack Kruse

[@theaxialart]

fantastic !! How sad that our society is so unaware .... so, perhaps it's time to 'wake up'

[@OZANTHO]

Amazing presentation . Easily the best given for layman to understand .thank you . I have one question - how do the probiotics taken orally pass the acidic environment of the stomach ? Even what you get through fermented food . Tks

[@allee3476]

My thoughts exactly. Years back, I had read that probiotics don’t make it to guts due to the acidic environment. Instead, the recommendation was to eat more prebiotics, the fiber that fuels and proliferates the gut microbiomes.

[@brijmohanmalvi3132]

A Honest treasure of knowledge. Great.

[@ant7936]

Excellent, interesting discussion, thanks.

[@theselector4733]

There's obviously a symbiotic relationship going on based on balance. We need a good balance of diverse bacteria...... they all have a particular job to do. It would be interesting to know what other so called "nasties" live inside us eg: Parasites, Fungas, Viruses etc...... & what symbiotic relationship they have with us.

[@frankbair5605]

Understoanding that oversterilization can be bad for naturally occurring safe flora, what about hyatid cysts in children's brains from accidental ingestion of dog feces? How do you keep your dog free enough of dangerous critters to allow them on your couch, or their beds? Taenia Solium tapeworm parasites? You also briefly mention that water supply needs protected to prevent diphtheria, typhoid, typhus, etc. Yet even clean water is not 100% free of microbes. If we drop back to 1900's technology, would you be concerned ?

[@orangemoonglows2692]

her book was very informative.

[@oibal60]

Thanks for this. Dr. Judy Mikovits emphasizes the gut-brain connection in her book 'Plague'.

[@Kassiusday]

Thank you for this information ! With the covid we might see connection with gut & covid sensitivity impact gravity !!!

[@EnriqueHernandez-zk7qc]

After listening to Dr. Steven Gundry, I would've liked to ask Dr. Sonnenburg about lectins. They are ubiquitous, but, from what I understand, some foods contain more than others. Gundry claims that lectins wear down the mucosal membrane lining the gut, allowing LPSs to more readily enter the blood stream, causing inflammation, etc.

[@PornIsHate]

Thanks to cavalier use of antibiotics!

[@trissyriggs2402]

👍🏼👏🏻Thank you!!!

[@jenniewilliamsmural]

Wow, what a great job! thoroghly enjoyed- well done!!!!

[@soulfoodsalon6257]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mohammadlevy9668]

Thank YOU for posting this presentation up. THESE people are conducting as unbiased research on this topic as can be done and deserve support/funding to continue. Thank you Dr. Erica Sonnenburg, for keeping to the purer research pathway.

[@gratitude5740]

Shared your video with my Tanzanian friends . These people are strong ! No matter what, they will be well .

[@soulfoodsalon6257]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@gratitude5740]

SOUL Food Salon would having their micro biome / fecal in plantation help out intestinal disorders ? Some people already do that . I thought my Tz friends how to make a sauerkraut, and apple cider vinegar. Wonder if I helped or hurt .

[@parisparis8903]

Gratitude , where tarzania is located ?

[@emmawanjiku1358]

In East Africa

[@mikefixac]

Wonderful talk. I had a weird experience a few months ago. I was having a series of violent dreams. Asked a doctor friend what he thought and he asked if I'd been taking any kind of medication. I said "no, but I had started taking pro-biotics". I quit taking them and the violent dreams went away.

[@karenkline7221]

Great presentation.

[@anon0926]

Everything we ingest has an impact on our microbiome..including the air...there are many ways to improve it...sea air for instance can bring more iodine into the system..oil pulling improves microbiome by lessoning potentially harmful bacteria and improving saliva potency...raw organic vegetables or juices..reducing stress...walking barefoot on good quality earth...etc...

[@Tourshi]

I love how clear and candid Erica is :) very informative talk, thank you!

[@mikemasail823]

Great presentation You mention that " they will eat a whole Zebra in one day" the point is the meat that they are eating is 1) very low in fat, 2)free of added hormones, 3) free of antibiotics, 4) eating the food that nature designed it too eat, not the stuff served to factory farmed animals, and they only eat it occasionally. This is so different from the garbage that is being served up as meat in the Western world, and that is being eating 3 times a day. Michael Pollan says everything he's learned about food and health can be summed up in seven words: "Eat real food, not too much, mostly plants."

[@reboundingfromnarcissistic5386]

Thank you!

[@HillLeeHill]

It would be interesting to see a comparison of the Hudza and the Vegan Seventh day adventist of Loma Linda California and of other Blue Zone populations. It may show a strong coronation (dare I say causation) between our microbiome and our diet. From the looks of it it’s just further evidence that Whole Food Plant Based is the way to go.

[@susunslatky]

Lee Hill: Correlation, right?

[@geoffbirkinshaw8466]

10 years ago I used to look upon my guts as the "enemy", cursing them for the bloating and periodic bouts of diarrhea I suffered. Then I got a bit overweight and decided to slim by eating a huge plate of fruit and nuts every day. I not only lost weight but it cured all my other problems too. Now I look upon my gut bacteria as "friends" and still eat my plate of fruit every day to keep them happy.

[@giorgosg8760]

Thank very much.

[@rondierice4922]

Important Information !

[@kiranjitkaur6925]

Very good lecture. Have seen the part about probiotics not residing in the gut...I got my stool tested for microbiome and not even a single Lactobacillus detected although I ate a ton of probiotics. The probiotic species that were found in my stool were not in single one of probiotics I took. So seems like your native gut bacteria are very unique to you. Just give good food to encourage good ones. Dont go after fad diets. Just eat clean and avoid sugar and processed food. Eat whole grains and fibers. Travel whenever you can...go to touristy places near you...will expose you to diverse microbiota. Lot of our problems here are living in over clean environment and solitude.

[@gkarthikraja1072]

Thank you doctor. What about effect of animal based food on the microbiome?

[@annwilliams6438]

No wonder my doctors were looking at me strangely 15 years ago when I kept on telling them that I need to sort out out my probiotics to get better and that I had a fungal problem etc!

[@mj-je7el]

What did you do? I think I have mold and my gut and testines are fucked up and making so much ammonia 😥☠ it yeasting, can't eat and the ammonia poison goes out my skin an in my ariways...my tongue er filled with White thick stuff. Its not candida, says the doctor.

[@debralabraie3199]

@@mj-je7el did you figure anything out yet?

[@mj-je7el]

@@debralabraie3199 no 😪😪😪💔💔

[@mj-je7el]

@@anonymousanonymous7304 no 😭😭 mine is getting worse with creepy'ness, pain, swollowness in my stomach 😭😭☠☠

[@mj-je7el]

@@anonymousanonymous7304 no sorry 😥🙏

[@Pattskee]

Thank you! Wonder how both climatized and dietarly adapted Northern populations that mostly ate and are still eating non plant but eating from the ocean and from the wild land would do on plant based diet from Ecuador. Or imagine the opposite, most likely both would become ill but could adjust overtime. Thank you:-) Seems like whatever recent ancestors were consuming is what their bodies adapted to and we should also be eating each according to their heritage.

[@tterb777]

we do well with our family but when our kids are outside the house other parents let alone of course "celebrations" pretty much all include crap food... drives me crazy... i had to ask parents not to give my daughter dounuts of all things... juices and even at school! teachers used to give my daughters candy for "rewards" or "Incentives" etc... crazy times

[@javiermorales4982]

Q

[@Urukanguro]

Nothing can be understood if it’s not in an evolutionary manner. The Microbiom must be seen in light of that evolutionary context . It makes sense to place it left ,right and center in our quest to understanding humans in time and space.

[@rabbitcreative]

> time and space Space-time.

[@CBDav]

Beauty and Brains!

[@grahamh7041]

this deserves more views !

[@HotforHealth]

1:01 very great point! Can’t go to Tanzania, but we do have a creek and dirt and dogs. Lol. Hopefully it’s enough for my kids. Makes me laugh (although sad) when I see parents sanitizing everything and not allowing their kids to touch anything.

[@tdgherbs]

Awesome information

[@soulfoodsalon6257]

Thank you so much! Would you be interested to receive our health and wellness newsletter, SOULFUL Insights by email? If so, please give me your email address. Also, if you are on Instagram and Facebook, please follow @soulfoodsalon

[@genesis650]

Think I know the perfect diet for health! Hunter Gatherer, High Fibre, As Unprocessed as Possible, Seasonal Eating and Occasional Meat if wanted. We should be eating for the health of our microbes as they control us!

[@casiandsouza7031]

Does seasonal change in diet maintain microbiota diversity?

[@ivark8201]

Thanks

[@soulfoodsalon6257]

Thank you so much! Would you be interested to receive our health and wellness newsletter, SOULFUL Insights by email? If so, please give me your email address. Also, if you are on Instagram and Facebook, please follow @soulfoodsalon

[@helmutgensen4738]

time to revisit the big MAC: with covid targeting certain grroups - could the difference be stealthy mucosa?

[@HEARTANDSOULOFMINE]

You have hit upon a theory that may be viable with COVID deaths: Minimal mucosa lining will lessen protection against a viral attack and replication. It seems from most data that Type 2 diabetics and obese adults are more prone to dying from COVID. The junk food diet may be the major culprit. Eating an organic, whole food, high fiber diet offers a better barrier to fight COVID.

[@tedteddy1802]

I congratulate you big-time for what you’re doing for your family your husband and yourself I wish I can do the same for mine but it’s too late now congratulations !!!

[@katweaver3275]

would love an update as this is now 5 years old... what i would have liked to have asked her if there was, what was the person eating in the experiment at the 30 minute mark.. dr paul mason cites research more up to date where fibre is not necessary, and in a lot of cases, is actually deleterious to the human condition.. so much to learn on this remarkable subject...

[@mikemasail823]

Google Dr Will Bulsiewicz for the best update on the subject. As for someone who says Fiber is not necessary, avoid them like the plague.

[@katweaver3275]

@D R I whole heartedly agree! it is incredible. we are so far away from understanding it, sadly. I want to know why we need, if indeed we even do, a variety of microbiome. If so, why? noone yet can answer this. Definitely a subject needing serious attention

[@katweaver3275]

@@mikemasail823 mmm Im not so sure. He knows his stuff. will check out what that dr says that you suggested :)

[@katweaver3275]

@@mikemasail823 ok, i watched a bit.. nope. cant watch anymore. i am not, nor will ever be, a vegan. EVER. it destroys so many people in the long term.. no way jose :)

[@mikemasail823]

@@katweaver3275 you make a blanket claim "it destroys so many people". would you care to back that up with some Scientific evidence. I dont mean anecdotal where you or someone else claims they heard about this person who was a Vegan and they lost their hair ETC ETC. Junk food Vegan diets are bad but what is being advocated here is Whole Food Plant Based, limiting Salt, oil and Sugar, eliminating processed foods, and limiting or preferably avoiding animal products. This way of eating is Scientifically proven to cure and prevent many of the disease of Metabolic syndrome EG Type 2 Diabetes. So before you make claims that you probably cannot substantiate, spend a few thousand hours as I and many others have, learning, researching and evaluating the evidence.

[@casiandsouza7031]

What are the other nutrients associated with high fiber and low fiber.

[@betzib8021]

I want to know which probiotics companies are the forward thinking companies she mentioned

[@billytheweasel]

We are not alone... me and my tiny little buddies. So, insulin drives energy to be stored in the adipocytes as fat. And microbiota can also cause fat storage? Amazing times.

[@benr.3518]

Have you considered the possibility that the prevalence of certain clusters of microbacteria may depend on the ABO blood type?

[@dulynoted2427]

Where do we get those microbes??

[@chompnormski]

It’s round up sprayed on our food that is disrupting the biome. It’s an antibiotic that promotes fungus overgrowth.

[@laraoneal7284]

Yes absolutely.

[@rosemarydewees6935]

Excellent

[@springteen3743]

What about the cooked vs raw fiber which is better?

[@Tk-iz2ws]

Raw But any veggies are better than no veggies

[@justjosie8963]

While listening to this incredible discussion, I came up with a theory. Possibly, since we have limited biomes based on childhood, and anti-biotics, perhaps the diet best suited, if one is having issues, would be one that most closely resembles the most commonly eaten "live" foods during childhood. Ex: Ate many apples fresh off the trees. Coincidence or a "biome match" that apples sit well during a digestive issue flare-up. YES, I know I'm genius, it's God given.😏 Granted, the soil, and other factors may interfere, especially ANYTHING gmo is tainted, but it's an interesting experiment to try the closest you can get to those foods.

[@katiekat4457]

I wonder if there are specific microbes that deal with and make something like untreated river water not toxic to drink. They should do a comparison between modern people who drink clean water versus people who don’t drink clean water. Maybe compare the U.S. to Mexico and India. And if they do find specific microbes that un-clean water drinkers have that Americans don’t have they should see if that particular bacteria is also present in all animals that drink any kind of water they come across. Also a question would be do animals have more or additional microbes that neutralize un-clean water. You could take it even further and ask is there specific microbes that fight and kill off microbes that are present in un-clean water which makes it okay for certain populations to drink un-clean water. Also looking at the big difference between western and say undeveloped countries could the huge difference in tell us also why undeveloped countries are more susceptible to certain diseases that bring their life span down. In other words maybe their are some benefits to western microbes too. Meaning that you don’t see western populations suffering from diseases that undeveloped countries do like from diseases that could diarrhea that some people from undeveloped countries die from at such early ages. Perhaps there are specific western microbes that fight off and protect the western population from such diseases that kill undeveloped people are early ages. So many it’s not just our clean water and sanitation that protects and keeps out those types of diseases. So maybe in the end it would be best to pick and choose from both microbes of western and undeveloped countries, along with those secluded populations that still are hunters and gatherers while at the same time eliminating microbes that cause or contribute to both diseases that affect western and undeveloped countries. Of course, it would take many, many years to figure out which bacteria does what and produces what. But, my main point isn’t to point out the possibility that western microbes may or probably contribute to chronic diseases. Or the lack of certain microbes contribute to chronic diseases. But my point is that perhaps there are western microbes present that have the ability to fight off or neutralize bacteria that otherwise would make westerners sick from other diseases that we don’t see in westerners that may or may not to this day affect undeveloped populations. I hope I made sense and that I explained myself well. But, I fair that I have not. So, although we know that our microbes do things like digest fiber and other foods, there might be the possibility that gut bacteria also fight off diseases and protects us from disease as well. Perhaps almost acting as our immune system but the work is done before disease carrying microbes enter our bodies. It may be diseases and other types of problems that we are not even aware that we are being protected from because we don’t see it or know about it because our modern microbes eliminate the problem before it affects us. So, I would caution that before people are ready to get rid of all the western gut microbes for fear they are causing chronic diseases, make sure that some of the microbes aren’t protecting us from other diseases that we may or maybe even know about. Is any of this understandable? First, let me say that this was an excellent lecture and that the research currently being done is amazing. While I 100% agree with what is being researched and discovered I have a twist to my thinking about gut microbes and and additional way they may be affecting people. The following is just thoughts in my head and in know way am I saying that way of thinking even happens so please take it with a big grain of salt. So maybe, decades from now we will be pick and choosing microbes from the western gut, the undeveloped countries gut, and the hunters and gathers gut while at the same time eliminating other microbes from each of these groups. Perhaps, decades or a hundred years from now if gut bacteria was understood as I proposed perhaps it would substantially extend the age life span leaving researches to concentrate on the aging process and other diseases that have nothing to do with gut bacteria. Of course, perhaps none of what I said will pan out to be true. I would like to know the outcome of such research but of course I will be already dead before it could all be understood if it did exist or work like that.

[@obiohanwaiwu992]

She is georgous

[@lewis9767]

27:00 this is worrying. I've taken a lot of antibiotics, potentially making my good bacteria extinct. Is there not way I can get them back?

[@redmoon8217]

I have been trying to heal my gut for most of my life. However I have diarrhea and if I eat more than a little fiber it because it worse. So does anything taking probiotics.

[@MartyFRsfNE]

Does ANY animal carrion/corpse “meat” have microbiota available fibre?

[@dzidolgitara]

I have colonoscopy 10 years ago . and i thing i was infected with someone else’s bacteria . i am not my self every since . i feel sick al the time . i feel that my gut is sick . i have skin problems . i lost my hair with in two years after . when i go to Europa for mount i always come back feeling healthier . can parasites affect microbial ?

[@maidsinbrown9391]

I am in the same boat as you. Whenever I got to my country I feel normal. When I am back, I feel different. This is mainly on my digestion

[@philipbrown2225]

if the gut microbiome is so important regarding immunity, then why isn't Fauci and others not telling the people that they can improve their immunity?

[@Lektuerekurs]

I'll give it a shot: 1. Cook your meals yourself. Buy cheap vegetables and add them in while cooking. You'll figure out what fits to what. 2. Walk to places and be outside. 3. Don't add sugar to your meals or drinks or juices or salads. 4. Every once in a while eat a carrot instead of a hotdog. Eat an apple sometimes and then you do 5 pushups. There you go.

[@guloguloguy]

.....It's interesting, and curious that much of the "longevity" of modern humans, can be traced to the increase in "hygiene", and now, we're learning that it is also likely killing us!!! So weird!!! Perhaps this is a strong argument for eating a variety of root crops, and mushrooms, directly from the garden soil!! [BTW: I just bought your book, and a couple of similar e-books, at smile.amazon] Thanks!!!

[@ncaraballo83]

Mucus layer is the biofilm?

[@shirwanmirzamd3895]

no, mucous membrane is the barrier between us and the microbiome ( the lining of the gut). Biofilm is abnormal. It is a layer of mucous membrane which bacteria build around a colony of bacteria to shield themselves from our immune system and from antibiotics. Examples of biofilms are dental plaque on the surfaces of teeth. Pond scum is another example. Biofilms could be anywhere, no just inside the gut.

[@juhoevert7273]

Erica says that bacteria of microbiom start eating mucus layer if there is not enough fibers available. That is fantastic! So you can feed microbiom with mucus type animal proteins! Right ?

[@mellisavogel5031]

Many people take medications and allot of medications make a person gain weight, chem fat not animal fat. How does the microbiome react with synthetic medications that are not broken down fast within the body due to the fact that they are not a natural substance? Thanks.

[@RickUnger]

That was a totally new idea to me to think that a parasite might be beneficial she mentioned a kind of immunity by allowing a child to receive a parasite and then it no longer being an issue in their life so is it true that a parasite is like a virus?

[@laraoneal7284]

I eat greens but cannot a high fiber diets bc of gerd. I take a very good probiotic 3 x per week and digestive enzymes one with a meal. I eat 2 meals only daily. You have to find what works for you. One size does not fit all.

[@royolstad8532]

You say we get colonized by the microbes in our environment. But I've heard that probiotics often can't make it through our stomach acids to reach the gut. In one experiment, there was no transplanting of obese to lean, but just being together affected the other group. So, how do the manure we pick up on our hands or the soil microbes we get our hands dirty with, or the bugs we get from dogs or farm animals get in to colonize us?

[@benr.3518]

If we depend on our gut microbes for digestion, what happens to the germ theory of disease?

[@rabbitcreative]

> what happens to the germ theory of disease? Goes in the trash.