With the internet providing access to so many health experts and talking heads, we often get asked ‘who can be trusted, to watch or follow online, even to enjoy?’ The answer is not always obvious, as those in the media spotlight have their own area of expertise, biases, even their own unique style of presentation.
Whether you are part of our Singapore or global community, in this series of posts we present some of the key online health leaders whose media channels we enjoy.
Meet Drs. Erica and Justin Sonnenburg; leading research scientists in the gut microbiome.
A small disclaimer, we do not necessarily endorse or agree everything that our featured personalities nor their guests might say, but we do enjoy the general direction that they take. Please talk to your doctor, or medical practitioner most familiar with your medical history, before implementing any changes in diet, exercise or lifestyle, especially if you are under treatment.
Your health, your gut health starts with you! Prioritising your own self-care is the vital first step to improving your health and long-term wellbeing. Wherever you are in your journey to health, at The Whole Health Practice we work with you, to turn knowledge and intent into targeted and effective action.
Stay Healthy,
Alastair
Drs. Erica and Justin Sonnenburg / The Good Gut
Dr. Erica Sonnenburg PhD, with a background in microbiota science, specifically examines the impact of diet on the human intestinal microbiota, particularly focusing on the effects of dietary carbohydrates on the microbial community. She also investigates the transmission of microbiota across generations and the influence of the modern Western diet on microbial transmission patterns.
Dr. Justin Sonnenburg PhD, currently holds the position of associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His research focuses on investigating the role of gut microbiota in both health and disease, and he co-directs the Center for Human Microbiome Studies.
See them in interview with Simon Hill...
Together they authored the book "The Good Gut: Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood, and Your Long-Term Health." The Sonnenburg Lab research program aims to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms governing dynamics within the gut microbiota and to develop strategies for preventing and treating diseases through manipulation of the gut microbiota. Several of their studies have been in collaboration with Stanford colleague Dr. Christopher Gardner.
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Related Studies
Crimarco A, Springfield S, Petlura C, Streaty T, Cunanan K, Lee J, Fielding-Singh P, Carter MM, Topf MA, Wastyk HC, Sonnenburg ED, Sonnenburg JL, Gardner CD. A randomized crossover trial on the effect of plant-based compared with animal-based meat on trimethylamine-N-oxide and cardiovascular disease risk factors in generally healthy adults: Study With Appetizing Plantfood-Meat Eating Alternative Trial (SWAP-MEAT). Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Nov 11;112(5):1188-1199. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa203. PMID: 32780794; PMCID: PMC7657338.
Wastyk HC, Fragiadakis GK, Perelman D, Dahan D, Merrill BD, Yu FB, Topf M, Gonzalez CG, Van Treuren W, Han S, Robinson JL, Elias JE, Sonnenburg ED, Gardner CD, Sonnenburg JL. Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status. Cell. 2021 Aug 5;184(16):4137-4153.e14. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.06.019. Epub 2021 Jul 12. PMID: 34256014; PMCID: PMC9020749.
Fragiadakis GK, Wastyk HC, Robinson JL, Sonnenburg ED, Sonnenburg JL, Gardner CD. Long-term dietary intervention reveals resilience of the gut microbiota despite changes in diet and weight. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Jun 1;111(6):1127-1136. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa046. PMID: 32186326; PMCID: PMC7266695.
Smits SA, Leach J, Sonnenburg ED, Gonzalez CG, Lichtman JS, Reid G, Knight R, Manjurano A, Changalucha J, Elias JE, Dominguez-Bello MG, Sonnenburg JL. Seasonal cycling in the gut microbiome of the Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania. Science. 2017 Aug 25;357(6353):802-806. doi: 10.1126/science.aan4834. PMID: 28839072; PMCID: PMC5891123.
Recommended Introductions
Meet fellow gut health expert Dr. Will Bulsiewicz. For general health and wellbeing, meet Dr. Rangan Chartterjee. For longevity and high performance health, meet Dr Peter Attia and Dr Rhonda Patrick.
Dr Gil Carvalho provides easy to understand explanations of the science behind diet and nutrition studies, often cutting through misinformation.
Meet Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai for learnings on brain health, cognition and Alzheimer's.
Interested in plant-based eating for health or longevity? Then meet Dr Michael Greger. For vegan eating practices, meet Dr Neal Bernard.