How Does Microbiome Affect Metabolism and Body Weight? | Will Bulsiewicz | The Proof Podcast EP #275

Dr Will Bulsiewicz is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to the science of gut health and the microbiome. He’s also a favourite on The Proof, dating back to his ground-breaking first appearance on Episode #17 of the show.

👇 Visit The Proof website for the full show notes and supporting studies. 👇

Having returned to The Proof multiple times since that initial episode, Dr Bulsiewicz has joined me to explore various topics, including building the foundations of a healthy gut, why people quit plant-based diets, and most recently, how to heal your microbiome after antibiotics. In Episode #275, we shift our focus to how the microbiome affects metabolism.

Known as “Dr B”, Dr Will Bulsiewicz is a renowned gastroenterologist and a leading authority on gut health on the international stage. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers *Fiber Fueled* and *The Fiber Fueled Cookbook* and has been honoured with awards in his field. In addition to serving as the US Medical Director and being a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for ZOE, a personalised nutrition company, Dr Bulsiewicz has contributed to over twenty peer-reviewed scientific journals. He has presented more than forty times at national meetings, presented to Congress and the USDA, and helped educate and guide more than 10,000 students on their journey to achieve optimal gut health.

In today’s conversation, we zoom in on the three ways that the microbiome affects our metabolism: through energy balance, blood glucose control (insulin resistance), and blood lipids.

Specifically, we cover:
00:00 Intro
2:42 - Introduction to Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and His Literary Contributions
9:55 - Dr. Will Bulsiewicz's Collaboration with ZOE
11:20 - Behind the Scenes: Dr. Will's Nutritional Supplement Venture
14:02 - The Progressive Journey of the Gut Health Movement
17:20 - Decoding the Microbiome: Its Role and Significance in Health
24:50 - Exploring Metabolism and Metabolic Health
33:32 - The Microbiome's Role in Influencing Metabolism
39:21 - Understanding GLP-1 Agonists: Their Impact on Satiety and Weight Reduction
45:30 - Tips to Increase Dietary Fibre Intake for Better Health
48:00 - The Connection Between Microbiome and Fat Metabolism
51:58 - The Role of Lipopolysaccharide in Gut Barrier Functionality
55:15 - Significance of Gut Health and the Risks of Dysbiosis
56:40 - Linking Insulin Resistance with Satiety Mechanisms
1:02:30 - Analysing Kevin Hall's Research: Plant-Based Diet vs. Alternative Diets
1:11:30 - Blood Regulation, Insulin Resistance, Lipotoxicity, and Microbiome
1:22:44 - The Interplay Between Insulin Resistance and Obesity Factors
1:24:11 - The Beneficial Role of Dietary Fibre in Blood Sugar Management
1:26:10 - Is Reversing Type 2 Diabetes a Possibility?
1:33:05 - How the Microbiome Influences Blood Sugar Regulation Mechanisms
1:37:58 - The Cholesterol-Lowering Benefits of Dietary Fibre
1:40:30 - Top Sources of Soluble Fibre for a Healthy Diet
1:43:00 - Triglycerides and Their Relationship with the Microbiome
1:47:21 - The Protective Role of Fibre in Disease Prevention
1:52:35 - Outro

Connect with Dr Will Bulsiewicz:

If you have any additional questions you would like answered in the future, let me know in the comments.

Enjoy, friends.
Simon

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[iefarrington]

Thanks for your input. I live in Madeira, Portugal.. The general public have no idea how to care for their body., and not a clue about the microbiom. To listen to Doctor B., , who I have followed since find ing Zoe, is such a privilege. At 82, and a committed vegetarian for om 16 years of age . Not just a vegetarian but committed to correct eating. He can come and sit in my home at any time. Best love. Valerie.

[HealthFirst]

Brilliant! Thank you for explaining the science of what happens when you eat a wide variety of plants! This is what I’ve been doing for a year. 45-47 lbs lost. I’m 55 post menopausal…tried every “diet” under the sun ☀️ 😊. Feel great again! Trust the science 🧬 don’t give up, there’s hope! Cut out processed food & animal products. Burn the ships and don’t look back.

[myrnaalexander]

As nutritionist and holistic integrative psychotherapist, I find your podcasts invaluable professionally and personally! I love your marriage of science and practice. Thank you so much, Dr B, for explaining the interrelationship of this emerging research!! So important especially in our ever- increasing toxic world!!

[HoppySabbathHomestead]

I am a seventh day adventist and I wish that we had this info in the church because for the most part this health message is being lost in the church. Thank you for laying this out for us lay people. I just got chosen to be the women's ministry leader and I am for sure going to bring this info into my ministry!

[zacharycain]

I think it's rather fitting his book topped out at #2 💩. Also I want a print-out of 20:19 on my wall- the two of you smiling at each other and looking so genuinely happy and engaged to talk about a parasite living in Dr B's colon. Love this show

[k.h.]

The link between eating fiber and feeling full, through the short chain fatty acids, was fascinating. I guess it's fiber, or take ozempic.... You'd think this should make beans more popular.

[Ian-ioyt]

Your channel might just be the most insightful and interesting nutrition channel on Youtube. Thanks for all the great guests you bring on and the excellent questions you ask

[shannon]

I love how simply and clearly he explained how fiber intake increases SCFAs and GLP-1/PYY. Thank you both for asking and answering important questions in such an easy to understand way.

[signorinabohemia]

Always awesome to hear Dr. B churning out the latest research! Thanks Simon wonderful! Loved your Dr. Fuhrman interview commented on how much I’m enjoying all your guides. Good job Buddy! 😊💚

[makeadifferenceall]

Scientists have uncovered so much about nutrition recently, but it's clear that many breakthrough discoveries await us. I hope I live long enough to see many of them!

[TenTempeh]

I loved this. Will is great and this interview was such a gem: clear, connecting dots, real passion when talking about these topics..
Congrats Simon you keep delivering amazing content with elite guests.

[veganjilly]

Dr. B is amazing! Always love listening to your conversations together. Listening to you, the Sherzai’s and Dr. B never gets old!

[LeanneWashington-jqdf]

I was constipated for years I quit alcohol a year ago. Had my gallbladder out started experiencing major diarrhea and now I’m a month into eating plant-based diet and fermented foods taking a fiber supplement my diarrhea has improved a small I would’ve thought my Microbiome would’ve been prefixed by now. Thanks for all the great info.

[alicejwho]

I'm getting so befuddled. 57yr old female . Since really upping my protein intake and starting resistance training I've got my old shape back. I started the resistance training 2 months before upping the protein and it was the change in diet that really made things happen.

So, on the one hand, we have this podcast saying veggies and vegans have a better BMI (although BMI can be very deceptive) and that a veggie, high fibre diet is best, but then on the other there's all this evidence that most people arent eating enough protein and we need even more as we get older.

Perhaps I'm comparing apples with pears. Should the takeaway be: eat much more fibre AND get enough protein?

[karlenedavies]

Love you show, always so
informative!
Thank you, Simon and Dr. B
I'm definitely going to have more fiber in my diet.

[reneepelletier]

Such a great episode, love Dr. B! Thanks guys

[marianblum]

This is a fantastic summary of the current evidence showing the power of high fiber foods to promote metabolic health. It’s a slam dunk: plants are powerful!

I want to add that Roy Taylor’s work on “personal fat threshold” is also relevant since you can eat a very high fiber diet and still be consuming too many calories. This interview shows that you’re less likely to eat too many calories on a diet high in whole plants which is what is most relevant to most people. But if you’re already plant-based and struggling with cardiometabolic issues, listen to Simon’s interview with Roy Taylor. I'd like to see this topic discussed more in plant-based circles.

The interview briefly touched on the low fat approach of Mastering Diabetes but didn’t really explain the pros and cons. I think Simon’s addressed this elsewhere in his work but it may be a good topic for a deeper dive.

[GraceDurrani]

Thanks Simon I found your channel and learning tons from your interviews . Keep up the great work mate .

[chefbob]

Bravo, Simon! Great interviews lately!

[StephenMarkTurner]

Thanks as always for these great discussions. I've sometimes posted a remark to the effect of "if your sink overflows, don't blame the water, it's the grease clogging the drain". Nice to hear you using a similar analogy (that means I was reasonably on target :-) ).