The Gastroenterologist And His Daughter – Details, episodes & analysis

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 gut microbes and how they communicate with the brain, how changes in their composition can impact mental health and if lifestyle factors such as diet can influence this connection. This episode covers:

• How a resilient microbiome can be both good and bad
• Which microbes are detrimental to the gut
• Neurotransmitters 101: Serotonin, GABA, Dopamine & Acetylcholine
• Misconceptions about neurotransmitters produced in the gut
• When would microbiome testing be appropriate
• Current associations between the gut microbiome and mental health conditions
• How difficult it is to define mental health
• Mental health vs Mental Illness 
• If diet and lifestyle truly have a impact on this connection
• How ADHD is a type of brain without the need to pathologise it
• And much more! 

Your hosts tried their best not to keep Miguel for hours but he has been a wealth of knowledge, breaking down what the science is currently telling us about the gut-brain axis and the changes you need to make to look after that connection. 

More About Dr. Miguel Toribio-Mateas 

Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas, known affectionately as "The Creative Scientist," is a clinical neuroscientist and nutrition researcher in the UK. His expertise centres on the intricate gut-brain connection, drawing on a rich, real-world scientific foundation rather than purely academic pursuits. Dr. Miguel's academic journey includes degrees in Nutritional Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, culminating in a Doctorate focused on Mental Health and the Gut Microbiome. His doctoral studies coincided with a five-year Research Innovation Fellowship funded by the European Regional Development Fund, where he explored the profound effects of gut health on mood, cognition, and overall wellbeing. Today, he continues this important work as a Research Fellow at Cardiff University's School of Psychology.

Navigating life with ADHD and autism, Dr Miguel possesses a deep, personal understanding of the specific dietary needs of neurodivergent individuals. He

emphasises the critical role of dietary choices in enhancing executive functioning, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. His philosophy is captured in his words: “By understanding and addressing the nuanced relationships between what

we eat and how our brains operate, we empower ourselves to make choices that not only nourish our bodies but also support our neurodivergent minds in navigating daily tasks and interactions more smoothly.”

Dr Miguel offers personalised clinical consultations and has crafted a comprehensive course titled "Thrive with ADHD," available at drmiguelmateas.com/

thrive-with-adhd-course. He is also the author of a forthcoming book by the same name, set to be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in late 2024/early 2025. To discover more about his transformative work and offerings, visit drmiguelmateas.com or connect with him through social media @drmiguelmateas for further insights.

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 more harm than good? Today’s episode covers:

• The types of popular detoxes and cleanses
• Why the term “detox” is not a medical term
• How our body’s own detoxification works
• Our gut’s role in detoxification
• 6 practices should you focus on to naturally enhance your body’s cleansing system including your gut

If someone comes to you with a gut detox or cleanse, RUN! 

Remember to subscribe to the pod for more gut journeys and poo talk! If you have any gut-related questions you’d like your hosts to answer live on the pod, send your questions to info@nutrition-az.com.

Connect with your hosts on LinkedIn

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail 

For more information visit instagram.com/nutritionaz_by_sandramikhail OR nutritition-az.com

Grab your copy of The Gut Chronicles: An uncensored journey into the world of digestive health and illness. 

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. This episode covers:

• Common symptoms of GORD and red flags you should never ignore
• The most common causes of GORD
• Complications of untreated reflux and how it could turn cancerous
• Barrett’s Oesophagus
• Sandra and Wagdy’s disagreement about PPIs
• Foods and food behaviours to avoid 
• The 3 ways in which stress can worsen reflux

You may have experienced heartburn or reflux at some point in time but give this episode a listen to learn about what to do when it becomes worrisome, what tests you may need and how nutrition, mind and sleep are crucial pillars to address GORD.

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, please don’t forget to hit the follow button, rate or review the pod! Also, Do you want to have your gut-health questions answered on the pod? Send us your questions via  info@nutrition-az.com

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 disease 101
• A real life example of a patient from diagnosis and where they are to date
• Fact or fiction about fibre, nuts and seeds, antibiotics and surgery
• 3 high fibre strategies Sandra’s clients have adopteD
• And more! 

Sandra and Wagdy close off another season with their gut health tips for 2024! More guests are lined up for the next instalment so make sure you hit the follow button not to miss an episode! 

Do you want to have your gut-health questions answered on the pod? Send us your questions via  info@nutrition-az.com

Wishing you all a gut healthy 2024 ahead! 

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 for you, we encourage you to skip this episode and join us for our next one.

Lisa lends her expertise to elucidate the intricate relationship between gut health and the journey of eating disorder recovery. This episode covers:

• How eating disorders impact gut health, and vice versa
• The most common gut issues experienced across the different forms of eating disorders
• Dietary changes that support gut health without triggering anxiety or obsessive behaviors
• Specific foods or nutrients that play a crucial role in restoring gut health during recovery
• The common misconceptions about gut health and its relationship with eating disorders?
• Address concerns about weight gain during the recovery process and more! 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, please don’t forget to hit the follow button, rate or review the pod! 

Do you have any gut-related questions you’d like us to answer live on the pod? Send us your questions via  info@nutrition-az.com

About Lisa Waldron

Lisa Waldron is a BDA Registered Dietitian and qualified PE teacher. With a masters degree in dietetics and further specialist training in eating disorders, Lisa has worked in specialist eating disorders services for almost 10 years. She has held the role of Professional Development officer for Eating Disorders for the British Dietetics Association and has contributed to national guidance on eating disorders and developed recovery tools such as the vegan REAL food Pyramid. Lisa has experience in working with people across the full spectrum of eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating disorder as well as disordered eating. She uses her passion for food and fitness and expertise in behaviour change to support people to develop a positive relationship with food and movement.

Follow Lisa on:

Instagram: @lisawaldrondietitian

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 particularly beneficial or detrimental to fertility
• Key nutrients to focus on if you’re trying to conceive, two of which may not be on your radar
• How do conditions such as PCOS or Endometriosis impact digestive health and vice versa
• Stefanie’s supplementation strategy and much more! 

Stefanie is a wealth of information and her passion for nutrition in this space is really echoed in this episode. 

About Stefanie Valakas: 

Stefanie Valakas APD is an expert certified fertility and pregnancy dietitian & nutritionist and founder of The Dietologist. Stefanie and her team of fertility & pregnancy dietitians are dedicated to excellence in nutrition for reproductive health concerns, fertility & pregnancy. Her passion for nutrition in this space has truly grown from her experience helping her clients online from around the world and also through her own personal experiences of navigating a diagnosis of endometriosis.  

The Dietologist has been awarded multiple awards for their excellence in nutrition care and Best Pregnancy & Fertility Nutrition Clinic in 2022, Quality in Primary Care Award by Dietitians Australia 2022. Stefanie has also been recognised for her contributions in the fertility nutrition arena as a finalist for the Dietitian of the Year Awards for 2020-21 & 2023, Impact & Innovation Finalist 2022, Allied Health Educator Excellence 2023 by the Allied Health Awards. 

Stefanie also hosts the popular fertility health podcast, Fertility Friendly Food. 

Stefanie truly believes every hopeful parent should have access to scientifically-backed nutrition information to prepare their body prior to conception, support them through fertility treatments, pregnancy and ultimately bringing home a healthy and happy baby. 

You can learn about how you can work with Stefanie and The Dietologist team below: 

Website: thedietologist.com.au
Instagram @the_dietologist and @endo.dietitian
TikTok: @the_dietologist
Facebook Pages: The Dietologist and The Endometriosis Dietitian

Podcast: Fertility Friendly Food

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 implements with patients
• The 3 dietary goals Sandra works on with her clients: symptom control, addressing inflammation then gut restoration to address microbial diversity
• Probiotics and UC
• What to consider if you plan to get pregnant and more…

This episode concludes their 2-part series on inflammatory bowel disease and while yes, they were highly specialised topics, listeners need to educate themselves on prevention, management upon diagnosis and a reminder to ensure you have the right support team to live a wholesome life with a chronic illness. Always consult your medical team before making any changes to your diet and never change your medical plan without the consent of your specialists. 

Do you have any gut-related questions you’d like us to answer live on the pod? Send us your questions via  info@nutrition-az.com

Get your copy of The Gut Chronicles: An uncensored journey into the world of digestive health and illness. 

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 its impact on the digestive system
• Signs and symptoms you shouldn’t ignore and how they’re not only localised to the gut
• A detailed diagnostic process
• Key nutrient considerations for those with Crohn's disease:
• How individuals with Crohn's disease have explored various dietary approaches, including numerous elimination diets
• Common dietary approaches
• The treatment plan, which includes Sandra’s 4 pillar approach 

This is a highly specialised episode to raise awareness about a condition that may take a few years to diagnose. Always consult your medical team before making any changes to your diet and never change your medical plan without the consent of your specialists. 

Do you have any gut-related questions you’d like us to answer live on the pod? Send us your questions via  info@nutrition-az.com

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, multidisciplinary approach 

Disclaimer: If you have been diagnosed with SIBO, please consult a specialist dietitian before undergoing any dietary changes as these guidelines do not replace your team’s medical advice. This episode offers to educate the listener about the most common dietary approaches to managing SIBO that must be personalised and supervised.

Do you have any gut-related questions you’d like us to answer? Send us your questions via  info@nutrition-az.com

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 throughout the episode with today’s guest:

• What SIBO is and what the different types are including how they differ
• Symptoms to look out for and how they overlap with other conditions
• The diagnostic process
• Treatment protocols and the role of antibiotics
• The role of the low FODMAP diet
• Is SIBO preventable?

It was an absolute pleasure having him on the podcast and it was definitely interesting having two gastroenterologists discuss similarities and differences when it comes to managing SIBO. To find out more about Prof. Dr. Med. Stephan Vavricka, you can follow him on LinkedIn or head on over to their website. 

Do you have any gut-related questions you’d like us to answer? Send us your questions via  info@nutrition-az.com