Kara Siedman | Microbiome 101: How Your Gut Shapes Your Health
Kara Siedman | Microbiome 101: How Your Gut Shapes Your Health
In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Kara Siedman gives us one-cent solutions to life’s $64,000 questions that include:
How do endotoxemia and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) impact gut health, and what role does the gut barrier play in overall wellness?
How does diet influence the microbiome, and why is individualization key when addressing gut health?
What are the benefits of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, and how can personalized protocols optimize gut function?
How often should stool testing be done, and what insights can it provide about microbiome balance and long-term gut health?
Who is Kara Siedman?
Kara Siedman is a registered dietitian and the Senior Manager of Scientific Communications at Pendulum. She holds a bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and completed her dietetic internship at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
With a diverse background spanning inpatient care to the development of multiple outpatient programs, Kara specializes in functional and integrative approaches to gastroenterology and metabolic health. Before joining Pendulum, she worked extensively in the microbiome field, bridging the gap between scientific research and clinical practice by educating healthcare professionals on the therapeutic applications of bacterial strains and microbiome-focused therapies.
Kara is passionate about translating complex research into practical, actionable insights for healthcare providers. At Pendulum, she not only educates the practitioners about the company's products but also contributes to a broader understanding of gut health and its critical role in overall well-being.
What did Kara and Dr. Scott discuss?
00:00 Welcome to the Smarter Not Harder Podcast 01:01 Guest Introduction: Kara Siedman 05:18 Endotoxemia and Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) 08:12 Impact of Diet on Gut Health 13:13 The Importance of Gut Barrier Integrity 21:06 Microbiome Memory and Long-term Changes 29:08 Stool Testing and Microbiome Analysis 39:39 Understanding the Microbiome Balance 40:40 Cautious Approach to Gut Issues 42:13 LPS Producing Bacteria 43:14 Diet Individualization 45:48 Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics 59:59 Probiotic Myths and Strategies 01:02:03 Personalized Probiotic Protocols 01:06:03 Cadence of Repeat Stool Testing 01:08:04 Final Thoughts and Recommendations