Ep. 346 Gut Health: Unveiling the Science of the Microbiome with Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe

I am delighted to have Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe, the CEO and Co-founder of Pendulum, joining me today. Dr. Cutcliffe is a proud alumnus of Johns Hopkins, with over 25 years of experience leading and managing biology teams in academia, pharmaceuticals, and biotech. Before starting Pendulum, she was the Senior Manager of Biology at Pacific Biosciences and a scientist at Elan Pharmaceuticals. In our discussion today, we dive into the emerging science of the gut microbiome, examining the effects of aging, antibiotics, nutrition, stress, travel, and menopause on gut health and discussing how vaginal and C-section deliveries differ in impact. We explore differentiators for various categories of bacteria and the roles of butyrate and fiber, looking at fecal transplants and the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and post-biotics, and explaining why Akkermansia is an essential bacteria for regulating insulin satiety, fortifying the mucin layer, and facilitating targeted delivery of butyrate. Dr. Cutcliffe also shares her top tips for mitigating the effects of travel on the gut microbiome and offers a special discount for listeners. I am confident that you will find today’s discussion with Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe engaging and enlightening. Stay tuned to learn how to adjust your lifestyle for a healthier gut microbiome. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The benefits of a vaginal delivery Various factors that disrupt the gut microbiome Why it is essential to get enough fiber in your diet What are the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut microbiome? The benefits of fecal transplants How the vagus nerve fosters communication between the gut and brain Why artificial sweeteners might not be as harmful to the gut microbiome as previously thought How prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are interconnected and necessary for overall health The role of Akkermansia in the gut microbiome How to maintain a healthy gut microbiome while traveling Bio: Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe: Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, is the CEO and Co-Founder of Pendulum. She has over 25 years of experience leading and managing biology teams in academia, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Before starting Pendulum, Colleen was the Senior Manager of Biology at Pacific Biosciences and a Scientist at Elan Pharmaceuticals. Colleen received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University and her B.A. in Biochemistry from Wellesley College. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe On the Pendulum Life website Use code THURLOW for 20% off your first order of Pendulum products.