Inside Matters

Episode 019 - Dr Megan Eldred - Senior Policy Advisor and Dementia Mission Lead at the Office for Life Sciences

In episode 19 we chat with Dr Megan Eldred, Senior Policy Advisor and Dementia Mission Lead at the Office for Life Sciences.
Megan walked us through her journey from PhD and potential academia, to transition into the UK Civil Service and the work she does with the Office for Life Sciences. She told us about her journey to becoming the senior policy adviser and dementia mission lead on everything that entails.
More generally, the Mission aims to develop novel precision medicine tools that help boost the number and speed of clinical trials in dementia neurodegeneration. This is a much-needed and highly impactful endeavour. We all know somebody who is suffering from or who has suffered from dementia. It is devastating and still has massive unmet clinical needs and is a huge cost and burden to society that is a burden that is getting bigger because of an ageing population.
Megan talked about some interesting scientific and commercial developments in this field, including the approval of two drugs to slow the progression of dementia. We spoke about cures for Alzheimer's disease and how close and how far away we are. We also spoke about psychedelics, exercise, the mind-body connection and burnout.
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Timestamps:
00:00:00:00 -Intro
 
00:01:51:04 - Dr McIlroy’s neurodegenerative family history
 
00:04:01:20 - Dutch care home designed for dementia
 
00:04:43:02 - Japanese robotic seal
 
00:06:35:06 - Pet dogs and our microbiome
 
00:07:41:10 - Link between microbiome and depression
 
00:09:17:07 - Mice research
 
00:11:44:02 - Can the microbiome cure depression longterm?
 
00:13:30:01 - How habits are formed
 
00:15:22:27 - Addictions and their cure
 
00:19:15:28 - Fight or flight responses
 
00:25:41:01 - Building resilience
 
00:27:57:24 - Choosing a career path
 
00:30:36:20 - Undertaking a physiology degree
 
00:33:03:02 - Unknown unknowns
 
00:35:50:08 - The cell fate in the retina
 
00:37:55:24 - Intelligent design?
 
00:41:55:10 - Micro-dosing
 
00:49:33:11 - Understanding the retina
 
00:55:10:29 - Starting a career in the civil service
 
00:59:13:24 - Scientists working for the government
 
01:04:59:23 - Centre for Science and Policy
 
01:08:59:15 - Role as lead at Office for Life Sciences
 
01:14:46:09 - Focus on biomarkers
 
01:17:52:04 - Drugs approval for treating dimensia
 
01:20:10:10 - Understanding the disease pathway
 
01:24:51:08 - Funding research
 
01:26:44:21 - Our Future Health
 
01:34:28:01 - Sharing IP with competitors
 
01:39:45:24 - CSF testing
 
01:41:51:12 - Inflammation and the disease pathway
 
01:43:13:15 - Vaccine for cognitive disease?
 
01:46:19:27 - Conclusion
 
 

Biome Bites Episode 009 - Dietary Supplements: Do You Really Need Them?

In episode 9 of Inside Matters, Biome Bites Dr James McIlroy dives into the huge world of dietary supplements. He tackles whether, if your diet is good enough, supplements are really needed, and highlights some instances where supplementing our diet could be essential for good health.
He also points out some caveats and helps us understand how to plan a supplement regimen based on our health and lifestyle goals, and how to identify supplements that will actually work.
As always, you can get in touch with Dr McIlroy via insidematters.health, and it would be appreciated if you could leave a positive review wherever you listen to the podcast if you're enjoying it.

Biome Bites Episode 008 - Is Red Wine Good for Your Gut Health?

What are the potential gut health benefits of drinking red wine? Is it recommended to start drinking red wine based on studies that propose gut health benefits?In this episode of Inside Matter's Biome Bites, Dr. James McIlroy references a study from lead author Professor Tim Spector, which states:
"This is one of the largest ever studies to explore the effects of red wine in the guts of nearly three thousand people in three different countries and provides insights that the high levels of polyphenols in the grape skin could be responsible for much of the controversial health benefits when used in moderation."
But if alcohol is often considered a toxin, where does the balance lie between the potential benefits of red wine in particular for a healthy gut?
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Biome Bites Episode 007 - An Update from Dr James McIlroy

Learn more about this episode's guest and the topics discussed - https://insidematters.health/
As it’s been a few weeks since the last episode of the podcast, Dr James McIlroy gets in front of the microphone again to explain what he’s been up to with EnteroBiotix and what the plans are for the podcast in the coming months, including some inside into the exciting guests who’ll be joining him to discuss all things gut health, fitness and personal improvement.

Biome Bites Episode 006 - Diet Tips that Promote the Gut Microbiome

Listen to Inside Matters: https://insidematters.health/biome-bites
In this episode, Dr James McIlroy discusses diet tips to improve and fortify the gut microbiome. Touching upon topics such as the controversial argument surrounding artificial sugars, fermented foods and whole foods, and why some researchers believe that red wine can help to promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Just as a garden can be populated with weeds if the right conditions exist, so too can your gut microbiome with unhelpful habits and cravings. The broader picture goes back to:
- Reducing the number of harmful organisms in your system.
- Replacing lost microorganisms that are beneficial to your microbiome.
- And continuing to nourish the microbiome with a minimally processed diverse diet.
Timestamps -
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:46 What is the microbiome?
00:02:18 Key Points on Why Diet is Important for Microbiome Diversity
00:04:51 The Broader Picture When it comes to Gut Microbiome and Diet
00:05:40 Avoiding Artificial Sweeteners
00:07:45 Reducing Alcohol Intake
00:10:24 The Gut-Liver Connection
00:11:31 The Impact of Smoking on the Gut Microbiome
00:12:48 Episode Recap and Important Takeaway Points

Biome Bites Episode 005 - Practical Tips for Improving Your Gut Biome

In this episode of Biome Bites, Dr James McIlroy explores some practical tips for improving your microbiome based on 3 specific areas:
Probiotics: what they are, where to find them and whether you should spend money on supplements or not
Prebiotics: what they are, where to find them and how to include them as part of your daily dietary intake
Polyphenols
James delves into how microbial imbalances occur within our bodies and what we can do to address these through diet and lifestyle.
James references David Sinclair’s podcast “Lifespan”, which you can learn more about here - https://www.lifespanpodcast.com/ and also Dr Hyman’s podcast “The Doctor’s Farmacy”, which you can find here - https://drhyman.com/blog/category/podcasts/
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:43 What is the microbiome?
00:01:54 You’re more microbial than human
00:02:12 Body’s microbial composition
00:02:41 How microbial imbalance occurs
00:03:23 How to achieve a healthy microbiome
00:04:56 Role of probiotics
00:05:57 Importance of probiotic foods
00:07:09 Role of prebiotics
00:10:10 You must stay hydrated!
00:10:32 The role of polyphenols

Biome Bites Episode 004 - Lifestyle Tips for Productivity

Dr James McIlroy shares some tips and tricks that keep him consistently productive throughout the day. Stacking up small wins, like pre-booking dentist appointments and haircuts months in advance to reduce stress. Investing in pill boxes for supplements and dried greens for on-the-go. With daily exercise, and the benefits this has on concentration and health that this naturally brings.
 
00:00:00 Introduction and welcome
00:00:21 - Batch Booking and Scheduling
00:01:53 - Buying the Essentials in Bulk
00:02:50 - Systems for Supplements
00:04:04 - Investing in a Pill Pack
00:05:00 - Sachets of Dried Greens
00:05:49 - Exercising Everday
00:08:08 - Episode Recap and Outro

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

Episode 017 - Professor Harry Flint - why gut microbes matter

Professor Harry Flint is a world leader in gut microbiome science and Professor Emeritus at the Rowett Institute at the University of Aberdeen. He's known for his book, "Why Gut Microbes Matter" and has two species of gut bacteria named after him: 'HarryFlintia' and 'Flintibacter'.
As part of a research collaboration, Professor Flint helped to identify a combination of six naturally occurring bacteria that work to eradicate a highly contagious form of Clostridium difficile (C. diff). The results of this research illustrated the effectiveness of utilising a mix of bacteria naturally found in the gut to displace C. diff and supershedder microbiota. The research helped develop a standardised mixture treatment for FMT.
Professor Flint began studying ecology at university before switching to genetics, completing his PhD in this field. He then worked as a lecturer for 6 years and then came back to Edinburgh to start a training fellowship to learn molecular biology in 1982. His career began at the Rowett Institute in 1985, with a focus on the rumen of animals due to the complexity of the microbiology of that system of digestion.
He joins James in this episode of Inside Matters, the Gut Health Podcast, to chat about his career as he nears retirement, and the ground-breaking research into the complex universe of the gut microbiome. They cover a variety of topics including the importance of the digestive system of rumens, symbiosis in living organisms and dive into the different levels founds in the gut's microbiome.
 
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Intro00:00:26 How did you get into the field of the microbiome00:04:07 What was known of the rumen in the 80s00:08:20 The discovery of key gut bacteria00:10:07 What's the story with termites?00:12:23 Does every living thing have symbiosis?00:14:31 How diverse is the rumen?00:17:00 Transition into human gut research00:19:29 In the 90s what was known of the gut biome?00:22:07 The different levels of the gut microbiome00:26:19 The importance of starch for the microbiome00:30:08 What is a keystone species and how many?00:35:11 What is an enterotype?00:37:56 What is prevotella?00:41:12 Should everyone have a fibre supplement?00:44:58 Does going plant-based improve overall health?00:47:29 Why are the microbes in our gut in the first place?00:51:08 The uniqueness of each human's microbiome00:56:27 10 functional groups found in human stool?00:59:11 Are there disease states with all functional groups?01:02:45 Breast-fed babies with less biome diversity?01:07:39 Important metabolites from the biome01:11:16 What determines ph balance in the biome?01:13:29 What still needs to be characterised in the biome?01:18:51 Do gut bacteria have a form of consciousness?01:24:23 Will AI help gut biome research advance?01:28:03 What about fungi in the gut?01:29:38 What should a healthy microbiome look like?
 

Biome Bites Episode 003 - What is the microbiome?

Dr James McIlroy breaks down the terminology and science surrounding the wonderful world of your gut microbiome, including explaining terms like "microbiota" and how your gut interacts with your immune system, and the ongoing research into the role your microorganisms in your gut with health and well-being.
Watch the video on YouTube - https://youtu.be/_g3QGjHLC98
00:00:00 Introduction and welcome00:00:26 What does the term “microbiome” mean?00:01:34 Is the microbiome just limited to our guts?00:02:27 What’s the scale and scope of our gut’s microbiome?00:03:36 The role of genes in the microbiome and the role they can play in our health00:04:32 What is the microbiota?00:05:16 What is the composition of microorganisms in the microbiome?00:06:46 Tools and techniques for understanding the components of the microbiome are improving00:08:18 What does the microbiome actually do in terms of health?00:09:30 How changing the microbiome may positively impact IBS00:09:53 How might the microbes in the gut communicate with the brain?00:10:39 Does lack of gut microbiome diversity lead to negative health outcomes?00:12:07 How can you change your gut microbiome?