Episode Summary

Dr. Zwickey has a PhD Immunology and Microbiology from the University of Colorado and completed a postdoctoral fellowship and teaches at the school of medicine at Yale University. Dr. Zwickey has since developed the Helfgott Research Institute at National University of Natural Medicine in Portland and established the School of Graduate studies which incorporates integrative research, nutrition, and global health programs. Currently, she leads an NIH-funded clinical research-training program and is adjunct faculty at three medical schools. She is passionate about microbiome therapeutics and their impacts on the gut-brain axis and neuroinflammation.

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Key Takeaways To Tune In For

• [2:07] Dr. Zwickey’s explanation of the microbiome
• [4:24] There are 10x as many microbes in our intestines as there are cells in our entire body
• [5:20] Nutrients have to be translated into other chemicals for your cells to recognize
• [8:30] How fiber can be anti-inflammatory
• [11:40] Atypical symptoms that will indict you need to focus on your gut health
• [13:22] Microbes in your gut make neurotransmitters
• [14:38] Neuropod cells live in your gut and have long projections that reach your brain
• [16:15] How Dr. Zwickey went from gut health to brain health
• [17:53] The dopamine in the gut is really important to people with Parkinsons
• [22:29] Personalized diet and how it works
• [25:49] What are Postbiotics?
• [27:14] Antidepressants can kill off different species of microbes
• [29:20] This research is cutting-edge science
• [31:52] Sleep has a bidirectional relationship with our microbiome
• [39:10] Hydration study from Japan on when to stop drinking water

Resources talked about in this episode

• Guest Website: www.heatherzwickey.com 
• LinkedIn: @hzwickey