Episode 018 - Dr Laura Craven - leaky gut and autoimmune disease

Dr Laura Craven is Lead Research & Development Scientist at EnteroBiotix and has a  PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, specialising in gut microbiome modulation.

Dr Craven’s studies include research into the gut's role in auto-immune diseases like MS.

In this episode, Dr Craven joins James to discuss her journey from completing her PhD in Canada and the impact the NEMJ’s paper on Duodenal Infusion of Donor Feces for Recurrent Clostridium difficile” had on her science career, along with her own personal health diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

They chat about the difference between FMT and IMT, leaky gut syndrome and the factors, including stress, which play a part in us developing this challenging condition. And they broach the topics of probiotics, improving gut permeability, and whether having a morning coffee is actually a good idea.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 intro

00:00:29 getting into the field of the microbiome?

00:01:45 impact of the NEMJ  paper

00:03:10 what was Dr Craven’s PhD on?

00:05:33 what’s the difference between “FMT” & “IMT”?

00:08:51 treating NAFLD with FMT

00:14:23 Enterobiotix and staff dietary provisions

00:16:18 Dr Craven discusses leaky gut syndrome

00:18:06 Wim Hof being injected with bacterial endotoxins

00:20:35 more discussion on leaky gut

00:21:22 getting a strong gut rather than a leaky one

00:22:26 How do doctors diagnose leaky gut?

00:24:06 how does FMT/IMT have an impact on leaky gut?

00:26:22 Dr Craven's study findings in relation to treating NAFLD

00:27:32 discussion around endogenous alcohol production

00:31:12 how has the public’s perception of FMT/IMT changed

00:34:14 gut permeability can be improved via FMT

00:37:41 treating MS with FMT/IMT

00:38:51 what factors cause leaky guy and what's the role of stress?

00:41:48 the connection between leaky guy and autoimmune diseases

00:44:10 what is a probiotic?

00:47:15 Dr Craven's move from Canada to Scotland

00:54:45 living with Type 1 diabetes

00:57:58 how do I improve my gut health?

01:10:32 hopes for diabetes and the role of FMT/IMT

01:20:04 is having a morning coffee a good idea?

01:21:18 where is the microbiome field heading in the future?

01:25:57 interaction between the microbiome and the host

01:26:54 what is engraftment?

01:32:13 what's FMT/IMT going to be used for next?

01:35:08 dietary challenges upon moving to Scotland

01:37:38 other scientific interests outside of the microbiome

01:39:14 the potential role of AI for health management