Most 'Probiotic' Foods Aren't Actually Probiotic | Dr Maria Marco cover art

Most 'Probiotic' Foods Aren't Actually Probiotic | Dr Maria Marco

Most 'Probiotic' Foods Aren't Actually Probiotic | Dr Maria Marco

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The word gut health is on almost everything now, from yoghurt lids to supplement labels. So I asked food microbiologist Dr Maria Marco, Professor at UC Davis and President of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, what it actually means. She spent a year with a panel of clinicians, dieticians, and immunologists trying to define it, and the most striking finding was how much we still cannot measure. This is a conversation about the distance between the science and the marketing, and it includes some claims that will change how you read a label. What we cover The consensus definition of gut health, and why symptoms and pathology can point in opposite directions Whether commercial microbiome stool tests and diversity scores mean anything clinically Why sauerkraut sold as probiotic is, in Maria's words, "just a marketing thing" Whether the microbes in yoghurt survive digestion, colonise your gut, or simply pass through Why dead and pasteurised microbes may still be beneficial How to choose a probiotic that has actually been tested in people, and when to stop taking one Maria is unusually willing to say what we do not yet know, and in a field this commercially crowded, that honesty is worth a great deal. To connect with Dr Maria Marco, visit the Marco Lab at UC Davis, find her on LinkedIn, or follow her lab's work on Instagram at @eat.lac.project. If this episode was useful, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps more people find the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA 38TERA’s BDR is a clinically dosed gut health supplement for improved digestion, less bloating, better bowel movements and a healthier microbiome. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.
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