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...

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...

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 conditionThe birth of...

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...

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...

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...

This topic is worth a 2-part series as there is so much to cover! Your hosts explore the spectrum of diagnostic tools available to assess gut health and decipher the most common tests, debunk myths, and shed light on the reliability of various diagnostic methods. From stool tests to endoscopy, Sandra and Wagdy aim to equip you with the knowledge you need to know about gut health diagnostics and what they all mean. This episode covers:  Stool tests, why we need them and what your poo’s...

In today’s mini episode, Sandra’s flying solo and explores how IBS affects men and women differently. She uncovers the various factors contributing to these sex differences, from hormones and immune responses to psychosocial influences. Learn why women often experience more pronounced symptoms and how understanding these nuances can lead to more personalised approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're living with IBS or simply curious about the science behind it, this episode offers...

It’s hard to believe that the pod is a year old! This IBS awareness month, your hosts cover advances and developments that impact how IBS is being managed. Before listening to this episode, please revisit this episode here that talks about cracking the IBS code covering everything you need to know about irritable bowel syndrome. Today’s episode covers: The main areas of IBS research to dateEmerging treatments and studies investigating the gut microbiome in IBSUpdates with the FODMAP process...

In this mini episode, Sandra shares her most recent health hiccup which made her break a 13 year streak of no antibiotics. Antibiotics are life-saving medications that have been overly prescribed over this past decade with devastating consequences such as antibiotic resistance. However, there is a time and place when antibiotics are needed. If you’ve had to go on a course of antibiotics recently, then this episode is for you. Today’s episode covers: Sandra’s health update that led her to take...

Another season of the pod and kicking things off with very common complaints, and they are heartburn and reflux. GERD or GORD, however you’d like to call it, stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease is a collection of symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored. In this episode, Sandra and Wagdy start with their own experiences with reflux before getting into the details of GORD, from signs and symptoms to controversies around medication and how you can manage GORD through nutrition and lifestyle....

Either there’s something in the water or it’s pure coincidence, but this has been a year that Sandra’s seen so many clients diagnosed with diverticular disease. In the 10th episode of the season, your hosts talk about the silent condition impacting millions worldwide and that is Diverticular disease. In this episode, they walk you through everything you need to know about this condition including prevention and management through a round of fact or fiction. This episode covers: Diverticular...

In today's episode, Sandra and her guest, BDA registered dietitian Lisa Waldron, delve into a delicate yet enlightening discussion essential for those engaged in the realm of eating disorders and gut health. It is also an informative one for anyone struggling with an eating disorder and is experiencing gut issues. Here’s our TW though: The conversation about eating disorders can be a sensitive and potentially triggering topic for some listeners. If you feel that this topic might be triggering...

This is an episode not to be missed! Stefanie Valakas joins Sandra in today’s episode to unpack fertility from within, helping us understand the gut-fertility connection better. Stefanie and Sandra cover three main areas today looking at the relationship between the gut microbiome and fertility, nutrition for reproductive health as well as the gut-hormone connection. This episode covers: How the gut microbiome impacts reproductive health including specific bacteria in the gut that are...

Another week, another episode! Your hosts are picking up where they left off on the topic of IBD and today, it’s all about ulcerative colitis (UC). In this episode, they first answer another listener’s question about colonics before taking a deep dive into the medical and lifestyle aspect of this chronic inflammatory bowel disease. This episode covers: What we currently know about the development of ulcerative colitis Signs and symptoms that may point to UC The diagnostic process Wagdy...

Today, your hosts delve into the intricate landscape of Crohn's disease, offering a comprehensive exploration of both its medical and nutritional dimensions. From understanding the basics and symptoms to discussing diagnostic procedures and treatment options, you’ll get valuable insights into the medical intricacies of Crohn's. This episode covers: The most common risk factors for developing IBD including a surprising ingredient found in food Definition and overview of Crohn's disease and...

Today’s episode is a follow up to last week’s episode, where Sandra takes an in depth look at what you should be eating if diagnosed with SIBO and when the use of some herbals may be indicated. This episode covers: The 3 most common dietary approaches to SIBO The pros and cons of the low FODMAP approach, the SCD and the elemental diet When is the use of herbals indicated? The 3 most common herbals used in managing SIBO including the duration and dosages The importance of a personalised,...

Prof. Dr. Med. Stephan Vavricka is an incredible gastroenterologist that has been raising SIBO awareness and is one of the very few leading SIBO experts in Switzerland. Also known as “Dr House” - not sure he’s aware of that - Dr. Vavricka has truly helped Sandra’s clients get to the bottom of their gut woes with empathy, humour and kindness.  This episode kicks off by breaking down the controversy surrounding small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and continues to cover the following points...

You may be asking yourself, why the liver? So many of you may be neglecting one of the busiest and most powerful organs of our body, not realising that it is a part of your digestive system. In today’s episode, Sandra and Wagdy take an in-depth look at liver health from discussing the most common liver conditions to understanding the role of nutrition in maximising your liver’s health. This episode covers: Going through the most important functions of the liver including its most critical...

Today’s mini episode is a solo one where Sandra walks you through one of her most requested topics recently: how to address your gut symptoms and eat throughout the menstrual cycle. This episode covers: What is the female gut and understanding the gut-hormone connection How our fluctuating hormone levels impact your gut at different phases of the menstrual cycle How to address your gut symptoms throughout the menstrual cycle Nutrients to focus on at different stages of the cycle Do you want...

They’re back with another season packed with all things gut talk! After a much needed summer break, Sandra and Wagdy are back with a requested topic that unpacks everything you need to know about antibiotics. In today’s episode, they go through: What antibiotics are, their history and benefits The good: Indications of antibiotic use in certain gut conditions The bad: the side effects associated with taking antibiotics and when to call your doctor  The ugly: the impact of antibiotics on our...

It’s the final episode of the season! Coeliac disease (CD) warrants its own episode where Sandra and Wagdy delve into this often overlooked issue, which is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten consumption. In today’s episode, Wagdy walks the pod listener through why this condition is frequently underdiagnosed and why it warrants more awareness, particularly among the medical community.  Can conditions such as anxiety, ADHD and infertility actually be CD that is undiagnosed?  Symptoms...

Now that Sandra’s book is out for the world to read, it was only fitting to have an episode dedicated to her passion project, the Gut Chronicles. In this solo episode, Sandra gathers the most frequently asked questions about the book and perhaps gives you a glimpse of what it is and what it isn’t, for you to decide whether this is the gut health book you need!  The Gut Chronicles is not “just another health book” as it uses humour and storytelling to help readers navigate the 7 most common...

If you’ve struggled with your gut then you would’ve come across the term “leaky gut” or may have even been diagnosed with it at some point. Leaky gut syndrome has gained significant attention in recent years, with claims that it may be the root cause of a wide range of health issues, from digestive problems to autoimmune diseases and even mental health conditions. But what exactly is leaky gut, and is it a valid medical diagnosis? In today’s episode, Sandra is joined by gastroenterology...