EP 70 - Dr. Robynne Chutkan MD — The Microbiome and the Importance of a Healthy Gut for Overall.Health

In Today’s Episode

Dr. Robynne Chutkan is one of the most knowledgeable gastroenterologists working in the United States today. She is the author of three bestselling digestive health books: Gutbliss, The Microbiome Solution, and The Bloat Cure. Dr. Chutkan has a BS from Yale and an MD from Columbia, and is a faculty member at Georgetown University Hospital. In 2004 she founded the Digestive Center for Wellness, an integrative gastroenterology practice, incorporating microbial optimization, nutritional therapy, biofeedback, and stress reduction, as part of the therapeutic approach to digestive disorders. She is a regular guest on the Dr. Oz Show, covering digestive health, and is also a member of the Medical Advisory Board for the show. She was the host of the National Institutes of Health Clinical Roundtable Series, and a medical consultant and on-air talent for Discovery Health Channel. She has been a featured expert on The Today Show, CBS This Morning, and The Doctors, and is frequently interviewed as a medical expert for the Washington Post, and women's health magazines. She is an avid runner, snowboarder, and yogi, and is passionate about helping her patients live not just longer, but dirtier lives.

 

In today’s show I talk to Dr. Chutkan about the microbiome, probiotics, over-sanitization, corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, and how mothers can help their babies begin life with a healthy microbiome.

 

Outline of This Great Episode

[1:57] Welcome to our old friends and new friends alike! The Vidal Speaks Podcast is where you can learn about all kinds of ways to get well, why a plant-powered diet is the only diet that will reverse disease in the long run, the true causes of chronic disease, and the myths surrounding treatments. Most importantly, you will learn to take charge and heal yourself and those you love. I hope that this show will grow into a movement of people who take charge of their health! Please tune in every Wednesday and share this podcast with your friends.

[3:33] In her 20-year practice, Vidal found that almost every patient who came to her, had a gut issue.

[4:40] The overprescription of antibiotics has created a large population of sick people.

[8:05] Dr. Chutkan transitioned into integrative medicine, after she saw lots of patients who wanted to know what lifestyle changes they should make to get better.

[11:31] Many patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease use the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

[12:29] One patient’s miraculous healing using diet inspired Dr. Chutkan to start finding ways to get her patients off of drugs.

[14:09] Doctors want their patients to get better, but their educations have been hijacked by the pharmaceutical industry.

[22:41] What is the “Velio Diet” for healing the gut?

[25:47] Microbiota Accessible Carbohydrates are crucial for gut healing, and can be found in foods like leafy greens, oats and lentils.

[28:47] Choose vegetables.

[30:25] People are waking up to the importance of gut health.

[31:38] We are more microbial than we are human.

[33:04] Cleansers are contributing to disruption of the microbiome.

[34:56] What is Triclosan, and why has the FDA said it must be taken out of personal care products?

[35:30] Your hand sanitizer isn’t doing what you intend it to do.

[36:14] Eat clean and live dirty.

[38:51] What is the Hygiene Hypothesis?

[41:29] Healthy bacteria can crowd out a virus.

[42:52] Instead of focusing on Germ Theory, focus on your body’s microbial terrain.

[44:07] There is no magic pill for good health.

[46:08] To a very large degree, we are in control of our health.

[47:32] Be sure to check out VidalSpeaks.com, where you can find my story, my favorite products and much more! Please support this show by using the Amazon Banner on my site for all your Amazon purchases, which will pay a small commission to me with no extra cost to you. It really helps. Please also consider donating directly to keep our show going, leaving us a review, or sharing our show with a friend. All of this supports our mission. Thank you!

[49:27] Your doctor isn’t dangerous, but their training might be.

[51:10] More physicians are becoming interested in food as medicine, often because of personal health crises. Dr. Chutkan was particularly driven by a desire to help her own daughter.

[58:13] Pediatricians are much more likely to prescribe antibiotics when they feel like parents expect it.

[59:13] Remember that you have the right to informed consent and refusal, and that no drugs come without side effects.

[1:04:16] Dr. Chutkan’s book, The Microbiome Solution, includes a recommended birth plan to help start your child’s gut off right. There is even a solution for those that have to give birth via c-section.

[1:05:53] Be open to educating your doctor.

[1:07:05] During a colonoscopy, Dr. Chutkan and...