The Gut Health Podcast
The Gut Health Podcast explores the scientific connections between the gut, food, mood, microbes, and overall well-being. It is hosted by Kate Scarlata, a gastroenterology dietitian, and Dr. Megan Riehl, a GI psychologist at the University of Michigan, who are co-authors of Mind Your Gut. The show features conversations with experts in gastroenterology and aims to debunk common gut-health myths. Kate and Megan share evidence-backed information on medical management, nutrition, behavioral interventions, and more for people living with or without a GI condition.
Episodes
The Gut–Bone Axis: How Gut Health Impacts Bone Health, Calcium Absorption & Osteoporosis (with guest Dr. Laura McCabe)
Your bones aren’t stones, and osteoporosis isn’t just a calcium problem. Bone is living tissue that continuously remodels, and the signals that guide that process may start in an unexpected place: your gut. We dig into the gut–bone axis and the emerging field of osteomicrobiology with Dr. Laura McCabe.We discuss:• How bones are living tissue that continuously remodels• Osteoporosis as a common sil
Gut Health Strategies For First Responders (with guest Police Chief Michael Assad Jr.)
What happens when the stress of being a first responder doesn’t just stay in your head but starts showing up in your gut?Today, we’re joined by Police Chief Michael Assad Jr. of the Rochester, Massachusetts Police Department for an honest conversation about the often-overlooked connection between first responder stress, gut health, IBS, and nutrition.From high-pressure calls and long shifts to tho
Navigating Food Fear, Disordered Eating & Gut Issues Together (with guests Dr. Madison Simons and Janelle Smith, RDN, CEDS)
If eating has become a source of fear because of digestive symptoms, you're not alone. For many people living with IBS, IBD, and other GI conditions, repeated eating-related symptom flares create powerful food–symptom associations that make avoiding certain foods feel like the safest choice. Over time, however, this understandable protective response can become restrictive, limiting nutrition
Gut Health Trends: Which Ones Deserve the Hype and Which Ones Need a Reality Check?
Gut health trends are everywhere, but which ones deserve a closer look, and which ones need a reality check?In this episode, we break down the biggest gut health trends getting clicks, likes, and follows online. From our "hard no" to "I'm curious," we share where each trend lands on our hype scale and explain the science, physiology, and gut-brain connection behind our tak
MCAS: A Whole-Body Condition Through the GI Lens (with guest Dr. Zac Spiritos)
MCAS is one of those diagnoses that can make it feel like your body is telling a dozen stories at once—and no one is listening. If you're experiencing GI symptoms alongside flushing, hives, brain fog, fatigue, palpitations, medication sensitivities, or a persistent "fight-or-flight" feeling, this episode is designed to help connect the dots without oversimplifying your experience.In
When Your Gut Gets in the Bedroom: Exploring Sexual Health & Intimacy (with guest Dr. Alyse Bedell)
Part 3 of the Women's Health SeriesBloating, gas, urgency, abdominal pain, and that relentless “what if something happens?” loop can turn sex from a close connection into stress fast. Digestive symptoms can quietly impact some of the most vulnerable parts of our lives...including intimacy, relationships, and self-esteem. And often, the shame surrounding those experiences feels heavier than th
Perimenopause & Menopause: Hormones, Gut Health & Whole-Body Wellness (with guests Drs. Chrisandra Shufelt and Jami Kinnucan)
Part 2 of the Women's Health SeriesYour digestion suddenly feels different, your sleep is falling apart, your mood and patience are all over the place — and you start wondering whether it’s stress, aging, or something bigger. Joined by two extraordinary Mayo Clinic experts, Drs. Chrisandra Shufelt and Jami Kinnucan, we pull back the curtain on perimenopause and menopause, explaining how shift
Endometriosis and IBS: Key Differences, Overlaps, and Diagnosis Tips (with guest Rachelle LaCroix Mallik, MA, RDN)
Part 1 of the Women's Health SeriesEndometriosis can show up like a gut disorder, and that confusion keeps many people stuck for years without answers. We map the overlap between endometriosis and IBS, explain what symptoms should raise suspicion, and share practical ways to build a care plan that supports both digestion and quality of life. • Endometriosis prevalence, symptoms and why it is
Can’t Trust Your Gut? IBS-D Strategies for Fewer Flare-Ups and More Freedom (with guest Beth Rosen, MS, RD)
Part 2 of the IBS-D SeriesWe sit down with GI dietitian Beth Rosen to talk about her lived experience with IBS-D, and how the absence of a clear diagnosis and effective treatment plan early on led to frustration and unnecessary food restriction. With the right diagnosis and support, she was able to shift toward a clearer path, building a sustainable, flexible approach to eating and symptom managem
What’s Really Behind IBS-D? Causes, Triggers, and Treatments (with guest Anthony Lembo, MD)
Part 1 of the IBS-D SeriesWe map out a clear, practical way to understand IBS-D, from what it is, to how clinicians rule out the conditions that can look like it. With Dr. Anthony Lembo, we move from science to real-world next steps so you can feel more confident about diagnosis, treatment options, and hope for improvement. • How IBS-D is defined using stool form and pain patterns • When diarrhea
Tests Say Normal, IBS Symptoms Say Otherwise (with guests Laurie Keefer, PhD and Darren Brenner, MD)
Tired of hearing “it’s just stress”? IBS experts Drs. Laurie Keefer and Darren Brenner join Kate Scarlata and Dr. Megan Riehl to set the record straight on irritable bowel syndrome.IBS is a real, biologically based disorder involving the gut–brain axis, the microbiome, immune function, and nervous system signaling. Understanding how these systems interact reshapes how we diagnose, personalize tre
Feed Your Gut: The Fiber Deficit Most of Us Don’t Know We Have (with guest Heather Armstrong, MSc, PhD)
Fiber isn’t one-size-fits-all and for some people, more isn’t better. In this episode, we explore why most people under-eat fiber, why certain fibers can worsen symptoms, and how to personalize intake in a way your body can actually tolerate. Dr. Heather Armstrong shares emerging insights on fiber function, microbiome capacity, and practical strategies for going low and slow. We also unpack new sc
Miracle or Misused? Benefits, Risks, and Responsible Use of GLP-1s (with guest Supriya Rao, MD)
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) can transform metabolic health, but only with smart dosing, adequate dietary protein, regular strength training, and mental health support. In this episode, we explore how GLP-1 medications work in the brain and gut, why metabolic health is more than BMI or a weight on the scale, and how to use these drugs safely. Our expert guest, gastroenterologist, Dr Supriya Rao
Sorting Fact from Fad: What to Do When Science Isn't Settled
This year on The Gut Health Podcast, we dug deeper than ever into the science that shapes our bodies, the myths that confuse us, and the everyday habits that actually move the needle. We challenged probiotic controversies, rethought alcohol culture, explored resilience from gravity to mindset, and turned stress management into practical, usable skills. We broached the topic of vagus nerve stimulat
Mind-Body Medicine: Psilocybin and the Gut (with guests Emeran Mayer, MD and Erin Mauney, MD)
A growing number of patients with stubborn IBS symptoms are asking: if the gut and brain are wired together, could changing one transform the other? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Emeran Mayer and Dr. Erin Mauney to explore what the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy could mean for gut-brain health, beyond the headlines and hype. In this episode we cover:Why traditional IBS trea
Gravity Resilience: The Gut-Brain-Diet Connection (with guest Brennan Spiegel, MD)
Dr. Brennan Spiegel, author of Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health, reveals how gravity shapes everything from our digestive health to our emotional wellbeing in this fascinating exploration of "biogravitational medicine." He presents the revolutionary concept that conditions like IBS and depression may be tied to how well our body resists gravity
The Gut Dictionary: Probiotics, Prebiotics and Postbiotics Explained (with guest Mary Ellen Sanders, PhD)
Dr. Mary Ellen Sanders, an expert in probiotic microbiology, helps us decode the often confusing world of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics by explaining their scientific definitions, evidence-based benefits, and practical applications for gut health (and beyond). This episode has been sponsored by Activia.• Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed in adeq
The Gut Microbiome + Dysbiosis (with guest Mark Pimentel, MD)
Dr. Mark Pimentel, Executive Director of the MAST program at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, shares groundbreaking insights into the small intestinal microbiome that challenge long-held beliefs about gut bacteria. Findings from his team’s REIMAGINE study reveal that the small intestine is far from sterile, as previously thought—instead, it harbors substantial bacterial communities that play a critica
Tailored to the Core: Breathing, Bloating and Precision Medicine (with guest Iris Wang, MD)
Dr. Iris Wang of the Mayo Clinic shares cutting-edge insights on gut health across the lifespan, including advancements in pharmacogenomics for personalized medication selection and innovative breathing techniques to relieve abdominal distension. She busts common myths about bloating, revealing how diaphragmatic dysfunction rather than excess gas may be the culprit. Dr. Wang also emphasizes the im
Fermented Foods for Gut Health: Myths vs Science (with guest Elisa Caffrey)
Fermented foods offer surprising health benefits with science showing they can increase gut microbial diversity in ways other dietary interventions cannot.• Expert Elisa Caffrey clarifies what qualifies as fermented food: substrate + microbes + time• While touted as a source of probiotics, most fermented foods don't technically contain probiotics, which require specific strain characterizatio
Pelvic Floor PT Explained: Who Needs It and Why? (with guest Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, PT, DPT)
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a crucial yet often overlooked component of gut health that can dramatically improve quality of life for people suffering from bowel issues, bladder problems, or pelvic pain. Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas joins us to demystify and normalize this specialized therapy and explain how proper pelvic floor function impacts everything from constipation to sexual health
Living with IBS: How to Manage Symptoms Without a Major Diet Overhaul
Join us as we discuss effective non-diet focused methods for IBS relief. In this episode, Kate and Dr. Riehl review key factors on how gender can influence common symptoms of IBS.Hormones significantly influence IBS symptoms, with women being diagnosed 2.5 times more often than men, in part due to differences in gut function and pain perception. This episode features the following key discussion a
Is a leaky gut really the root of your ailments? Here’s the science. (with guest Alessio Fasano, MD)
Is "leaky gut" real or just another wellness buzzword? In this episode of The Gut Health Podcast, we cut through the controversy with Dr. Alessio Fasano, a renowned gastroenterologist and microbiome expert from Mass General Brigham. Dr. Fasano explains what happens when the gut’s protective barrier is compromised, resulting in increased intestinal permeability, and how this can affect no
Part 3 of the IBS-C series: Finding Your Path: A Personal Journey to Constipation Relief with Erin Judge, RD
What if you could navigate the complexities of IBS without falling into restrictive habits or feeling overwhelmed? Join us for an insightful conversation with Erin Judge, a registered dietitian nutritionist as she shares her compelling journey from childhood challenges with IBS-C to becoming an advocate for patient-centered care. Erin opens up about her early experiences with gastrointestinal issu
Part 2 of The IBS-C series: Mind Your Gut: Diet and Lifestyle Solutions for Constipation
Join Dr. Riehl and Kate as they share practical lifestyle strategies for managing IBS with constipation. Studies show that up to 84% of IBS patients experience GI distress related to eating, with most triggers linked to carbohydrate intake—particularly highly fermentable ones like FODMAPs. Learn how the low FODMAP diet, the most extensively researched dietary approach for IBS, stacks up against tr
Part 1 of the IBS-C series: Pathways to Relief: Understanding Medications for Constipation (with Justin Brandler, MD)
This episode launches the first part of a 3-part mini-series on IBS-C, shedding light on the complexities of this widespread condition that affects millions of people across the U.S. It stresses the importance of a holistic, patient-centered approach to managing IBS-C. We explore the various medications used to treat IBS-C, including both over-the-counter options and prescription drugs, offering a
The Promise of Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Virtual Reality Therapies for Gut Health and More with Dr. Brennan Spiegel
Can technology transform the way we approach health and healing? In this episode, we explore the intersection of neuroscience, innovation, and the mind-body connection with Dr. Brennan Spiegel from Cedars-Sinai. Dr. Spiegel challenges the long-standing myth that the mind and body function separately, revealing how our thoughts, emotions, and physiological responses are deeply intertwined.We take a
Sip Smart: Alcohol and Your Gut (with guest Ponni Perumalswami, MD)
Can drinking alcohol truly offer any health benefits, or is that just a myth we’re eager to believe? In this episode, we aim to inspire a renewed commitment to wellness in the new year with our guest, Dr. Ponni Perumalswami, a prominent hepatologist at the University of Michigan, who helps us unravel the complicated relationship between alcohol, the gut, and liver health. With her expertise, we ta
Gut Check: Kate Scarlata and Dr. Megan Riehl's Top 10 Strategies for Gut Health and Wellness
Did you know that a balanced gut microbiome can improve nutrient absorption, reduce inflammation, and support mood regulation? Incorporating simple habits into your daily routine—such as eating fiber-rich foods, staying hydrated, restful sleep and managing stress—can make a significant difference in how your digestive system works and gut microbiota function. Join Kate Scarlata and Dr. Megan Riehl
Navigating Life with Celiac Disease: Insights from Dietitian Experts Nick Trott and Lori Welstead
Discover the intricate world of celiac disease with insights from two esteemed GI dietitian experts, Nick Trott of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, England and Lori Welstead, from the University of Chicago Medicine. Within minutes of this episode beginning, you learn that a celiac diagnosis can happen in the absence of noticeable GI symptoms and that it is possible to find great delici
Sleeping Smart for Optimal Health with Neurology Expert Cathy Goldstein, MD
Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. In this episode, we’re exploring the critical connection between sleep, gut health and overall well-being, backed by cutting-edge research. Join us as we welcome Dr. Cathy Goldstein, a renowned professor of neurology at Michigan Medicine and an expert in sleep disorders. Ever wondered why melatonin supplements might not be the solution to insomnia? Dr. Goldstei
From Plate to Performance: Minimizing Digestive Distress During Exercise with Sports Dietitian Leslie Bonci
Experience runner's trots, belly cramping, and/or heartburn and reflux while exercising? You are not alone! Join us in our latest episode featuring the expert insights of Leslie Bonci, a renowned sports dietitian who has worked with top-tier teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. Discover why less is often more when it comes to fueling during exercise. Leslie breaks down
Diarrhea: from C.Diff to IBS-D (with guest Jessica Allegretti, MD)
Not one of us are completely immune to an occasional episode of diarrhea. Whether you can trace it back to something you ate or an uptick in stress, liquid poop is not ideal. Kate and Megan are joined by a giant in the field of gastroenterology, Dr. Jessica Allegretti from Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts to do a deep dive discussion into diarrhea. Together, they discus
Everything you need to know about constipation (with guest Darren Brenner, MD)
Join us on The Gut Health Podcast as we uncover the many facets about constipation with the distinguished gastroenterologist, Dr. Darren Brenner. Think probiotics are the cure for your sluggish digestive system? Think again. Dr. Brenner dispels common myths and reassures us about the safety of stimulant laxatives like Senna and Bisacodyl when used correctly. Together, we'll redefine what it m
Get a Grip on Bloating (with guest Brian Lacy, MD, PhD of the Mayo Clinic)
Bloating can range from mildly annoying to downright painful, can happen for a multitude of reasons and you've likely experienced it! Expert and world-renowned gastroenterologist, Dr. Brian Lacy from Mayo Clinic Jacksonville joins Kate and Dr. Riehl to explore the science behind bloating and abdominal distention. Dr. Lacy breaks down the details of when extraintestinal gas may not be your bl
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) + the Small Bowel Microbiome (with guest Mark Pimentel, MD)
Got excess intestinal gas, bloating and GI distress? Expand your knowledge on the topic of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) with our guest expert gastroenterologist, Dr. Mark Pimentel. Dr. Pimentel is a true maverick in the field of GI motility and the complexities of the small intestinal microbiome. His team has truly helped pave the way to our understandings of many complex GI condi
Is it IBS? IBS Mimickers (with guest William Chey, MD)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) impacts more than 45 million Americans and about 1 in 10 globally. So, if you have abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation on a regular basis...you are not alone. We are thrilled to have world-renowned gastroenterologist, Dr. William Chey, on this episode to discuss this diagnosis along with common IBS mimickers. Dr. Chey is the Chief of Gastroenterology at the
The Poop Episode: What's Normal (with guest Jami Kinnucan, MD)
Prepare to transform your gut health knowledge as we navigate the sometimes "colorful" details and scientific facts all about bowel movements. That's right, we are talking all about poop with our special guest, renowned Mayo Clinic (in Jacksonville, Florida) gastroenterologist, Dr. Jami Kinnucan. She is an expert in inflammatory bowel disease, among many other extraordinary contribu
Gut Health Matters with Kate Scarlata and Dr. Megan Riehl
When Kate Scarlata's health teetered during a precarious pregnancy, it was a wake-up call to the importance of nutrition and digestion for gut health and beyond. However, at the time of that pregnancy, very little science-based nutrition support was offered. In today's episode, Kate, along with Dr. Megan Riehl, will guide you through the complex world of the gut microbiome and its fascin
Welcome to The Gut Health Podcast
Have you ever wondered how what you eat impacts your energy levels, GI symptoms, mood and the inner microbes that reside in our gut?The Gut Health Podcast explores the scientific connection between the gut, food, mood, microbes and well-being. Join Kate Scarlata, a world-renowned GI dietitian, and Dr. Megan Riehl, a prominent GI psychologist at the University of Michigan, for holistic conversation
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