The Joyous Health Podcast: 014: Whole Body Microbiome & How These Invisible Creatures Impact Your Health with Dr. Brett Finlay

014: Whole Body Microbiome & How These Invisible Creatures Impact Your Health with Dr. Brett Finlay

Oct 9, 2019

You are about to be completely blown away when you learn about the microbes that live both in and on us and how they are bigger determinants of the state of our health than we could've ever imagined.

Here to share his wisdom is the brilliant Dr. Brett Finlay to talk about all things microbiome! Brett is a Canadian Microbiologist, a Professor of Microbiology at the University of British Columbia and world leader about how bacteria infections work. Brett has been studying microbes for over 30 years and has published over 450 articles. He's the two-time best-selling author of Let Them Eat Dirt: Saving Your Child From An Oversanitized World and The Whole Body Microbiome.

In this episode we discuss:

When your microbiome is first established
Your oral microbiome and how it can influence Alzheimer's
How Brett got started in microbiome research
How changing the microbes in the gut can help you determine the state of an infection
Microbiome's previous reputation as "normal flora"
How microbes were first discovered in the late 1800s
Why microbes were destroyed and introduced more harmful effects
Microbes and how they can determine the health of your gut, immune system, gut-brain axis, and asthma potential
Most diseases have to do the state and health of your microbiome
You can't change your genes, but you can change your microbiome
How your microbial genes outnumber your human genes
Why two people who live together would have more of a similar microbiome than a pair of twins with the same genetic make-up that live on the other side of the world
There is no single microbe that's conserved in each person
How the mother influences the microbes of the fetus during pregnancy
The best birthday present your mom will ever give you
The connection between being delivered vaginally and the ability to digest breast milk better
Why changing your eating habits in the third trimester is highly advised against
The first 100 days of a child's life and why it's so crucial
What living with a dog or on a farm have to do with your microbes
Why your environment is more influential on your microbes than genes
Brett's thoughts on antibiotics
How we can use antibiotics strategically
The link between antibiotics in animal feed (and human food) and weight gain
Repairing your microbiome after a course of antibiotics
The 94% cure rate fecal transplants have for C. difficile Colitis versus antibiotics which have a 25% cure rate
Why you might want to be open to taking a fecal transplant through your nose
Brett's experience with C. difficile
Navigating the world of probiotics and how to find the right one for you
Why you shouldn't use a probiotic that's intended for gut support for vaginal support
What we can expect for the next generation of probiotics
Is it necessary to take probiotics every day?
"Re-poop-ulating"
Your oral microbiome and how it can impact your overall health
Brushing your teeth 3 times/day to reduce your chance of getting Alzheimer's by 50%
Caring for your skin microbiome by being mindful about showering frequency
Why Walker smells more after he showers
Microbial food and how to get more of it into your diet
"The Mind Diet"
Exercising and eating well to give your microbes an anti-inflammatory composition
Managing stress as much as possible to maintain microbial health
What to know about the state of your microbes as you get older
How to add an extra 10 years to your life
The more diverse you eat, the more diverse your microbes will be
How Brett's research has influenced how he lives his life