Should You Test Your Baby's Microbiome? Dawn Whitten on What Tests Get Right & Wrong

#317 I'm a degree-qualified naturopath with over 20 years of clinical experience, with a primary focus on complex gut health conditions — and in this video, I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm turning the lens on myself. I recently got my own gut microbiome tested, and I want to walk you through every single result. I didn't get tested because I had gut symptoms — my bowels are actually moving beautifully. I got tested because I'd been dealing with over a year of persistent rosacea and wanted to know: could what's happening in my gut be connected to what's showing up on my skin? I also wanted to show you exactly what this test looks like when it's interpreted by someone who does this for a living. We cover every section of the report — the pathogen panel, the diagnostic GI markers, microbiome diversity and richness, short-chain fatty acids, TMA, emerging metabolites, the species table, and more. I also share the result that was flagged as severely abnormal — and why, in context, it almost certainly isn't. This is what it looks like to use real data to motivate real change — not because something has gone terribly wrong, but because catching the trajectory early is the whole point. What we cover What makes shotgun metagenomics different from other stool tests The targeted pathogen panel — what it tests for and what my results showed Pancreatic elastase — the result that flagged severely low, and why context changes everything Lactoferrin, calprotectin, zonulin, secretory IgA, and faecal occult blood Microbial diversity and richness — what we're aiming for and why it matters Butyrate, acetate, propionate, and TMA — what they mean and how diet influences them Prevotella copri — nuanced, misunderstood, and more common in traditional diets than you'd think Emerging markers, including GABA, and why we need to hold them lightly Human DNA elevation — and why collection context explains it My action steps and why seeing this data now motivates me to act I'm Lynda Griparic, a degree-qualified naturopath with extensive experience in complex gut health conditions, including SIBO, IMO, and chronic constipation. Book a consultation or shop BetterMe Tea at lyndagriparic.com This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health routine.

#316 Chloe Turner has lived with Crohn's disease for 25 years. She's also a degree-qualified naturopath and clinical microbiome consultant at Microba — one of Australia's most advanced gut microbiome testing companies. In this conversation, she brings both worlds together: the science of what microbiome testing actually reveals in IBD, and the deeply human experience of living inside a body that can turn on you without warning. Chloe talks candidly about the psychological weight of waiting for the next flare, why clinical remission doesn't always mean your microbiome is safe, and how shotgun metagenomics testing is catching things that colonoscopies and blood tests simply miss — including stealth pathogens like EPEC quietly driving inflammation while everything else looks stable.   In this episode, you'll discover: What gut microbiome testing reveals that conventional IBD workups cannot How EPEC and E. coli species silently fuel flares — and what to do about it Why clinical remission doesn't mean your microbiome is out of the danger zone How microbiome shifts can precede a flare before symptoms appear The emerging link between microbiome state and biologic medication response The psychological weight of the relapse-recovery cycle and how Chloe navigates it personally Why intuition and anxiety around food can look identical and how to tell them apart Practical dietary and supplement strategies used alongside conventional IBD care Why annual microbiome testing could be one of the most powerful tools for flare prevention What Chloe wishes she'd known 25 years ago If you're living with Crohn's, colitis, or any form of IBD, or you're a practitioner working in this space, this episode is for you. Connect with Chloe Turner: chloturner.com.au Register for a Microba Practitioner account   I'm Lynda Griparic, a degree-qualified naturopath with extensive experience in complex gut health conditions, including SIBO, IMO, and chronic constipation. Book a consultation or shop BetterMe Tea at lyndagriparic.com This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health routine.

#315 Should you test your baby's microbiome — and if so, when? In this episode, I sit down with naturopath, herbalist, lactation consultant, and infant microbiome expert Dawn Whitten to take a critical and balanced look at the new wave of paediatric microbiome testing. Dawn brings over 20 years of clinical experience in perinatal and early life health, and in this conversation, she covers what these tests get right, where they fall short, and the very real risk of over-interpreting a rapidly changing ecosystem. In this episode, you'll discover: What "normal" actually looks like in the infant microbiome across the first two to three years of life Why the infant microbiome can shift dramatically in just a few weeks without any intervention The clinical risk of testing too early and acting too fast Why Bifidobacterium is the keystone genus of the infant gut — and which species matter most The age grouping problem with current paediatric tests Why organisms like Blastocystis and Dientamoeba in a baby's report may not be cause for alarm The problem with functional markers like faecal calprotectin in infants What responsible interpretation actually looks like in clinical practice  What Dawn wishes these tests would do differently Dawn's Natural Early Life Health course and how it equips practitioners to use these tests wisely Love & Guts listeners receive 25% off Dawn's Natural Early Life Health course via the links below. Jason Hawrelak's Healthy Gut course is a prerequisite — bundle options are available. Offer available until 15 April 2026. Love & Guts podcast special discount links Natural Early Life Course & Bridging Course Bundle https://probiotic-advisor.teachable.com/p/early-life-health11?affcode=186042_ituurmer Natural Early Life Health 2026 term https://probiotic-advisor.teachable.com/p/early-life-health12?affcode=186042_ituurmer If you work with infants and young children, or you're a parent navigating gut health in early life, this episode is for you.

#314 What if chronic constipation, gut dysbiosis, and microbial imbalance were early warning signs of Parkinson's disease — appearing up to 20 years before a diagnosis? In this episode, I sit down with microbiome researcher and founder of The BioCollective, Martha Carlin, whose journey into Parkinson's research began when her husband John was diagnosed at just 44 years old. Martha spent over two decades studying the gut-brain connection in Parkinson's, building one of the first independent IRB-approved human microbiome research initiatives in the world. In this episode, you'll discover: Why chronic constipation can precede a Parkinson's diagnosis by 20+ years — and why it is never normal The two phenotypes of Parkinson's disease and how gut bacteria can distinguish between them The role of hydrogen sulphide, LPS endotoxins, and leaky gut in Parkinson's pathology The mycobacteria connection to Parkinson's that almost nobody is talking about How glyphosate is decimating the good bacteria we need most The glycocalyx — what it is, why it matters, and how to restore it The overlooked cardiovascular risks in Parkinson's disease. Where to start if you or someone you love has just received a diagnosis If you are living with chronic constipation, have a family member with Parkinson's, or want to understand the deeper gut-brain connection — this episode is for you.   Find Martha at biotiquest.com    I'm Lynda Griparic, a degree-qualified naturopath specialising in complex gut health conditions, including SIBO, IMO, and chronic constipation. Book a consultation or shop BetterMe Tea at lyndagriparic.com

#313 You've been told to take probiotics. But nobody told you how — or whether what you're taking is actually doing anything. Probiotics are one of the most talked-about tools in gut health, and one of the most misused. In this solo episode, Lynda busts 7 of the most common probiotic myths she sees in clinic and online — and by the end, you'll understand probiotics at a level most people never do. You'll discover: Why probiotics don't permanently colonise your gut — and what that means for how you take them - Why "a probiotic is a probiotic" is one of the most misleading claims in the supplement industry - Why more strains in a bottle doesn't mean more effective - Why you should absolutely take probiotics during antibiotic treatment — and what the research actually shows - Why taking probiotics on an empty stomach is outdated advice - Why kefir and kombucha won't reliably restore your gut after antibiotics — and what will - Why probiotics are not the automatic answer to every gut condition If you've been taking probiotics without results, this episode will show you exactly why — and what to do instead. References & show notes: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/[YOUR-SHOW-NOTES-URL]   🧳 WORK WITH ME 💝 Book a 1:1 Consultation: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/book-an... 🫖 Shop BetterMe Tea (Digestive Support): https://www.lyndagriparic.com/shop/ 🌐 Website: https://lyndagriparic.com 📱 CONNECT WITH ME 📷 Instagram: @lynda_griparic_naturopath  🎙️ Podcast on Youtube: https://youtu.be/HEZK2T4nrAs?si=LL6Hd3inlMAW1vhg

#312 Shame around our bodies — including gut symptoms like bloating and constipation — can quietly erode desire, intimacy, and our relationship with ourselves. In this episode, I'm joined by Rebecca Levy, Somatic Sexologist, Sex Educator and Relationship Counsellor, to explore the hidden link between gut health, body shame and sexual desire. We discuss how nervous system dysregulation impacts both digestion and desire, what somatic sexology actually is, and simple practices you can start today to rebuild body awareness and reconnect with pleasure. If you've ever felt disconnected from your body or struggled with intimacy because of how you feel in your skin — this one is for you.   CONNECT WITH REBECCA LEVY Website: www.rebeccalevy.com.au  Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccalevy_somaticsexologist/   WORK WITH LYNDA Book a 1:1 Consultation: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/book-an... Shop BetterMe Tea (Digestive Support): https://www.lyndagriparic.com/shop/ Website: https://lyndagriparic.com   ABOUT ME I'm Lynda Griparic, a degree-qualified naturopath specialising in complex gut health conditions, including SIBO, IMO, chronic constipation, and microbiome dysfunction. I help people who have tried everything and still can't get answers. I use advanced Microba shotgun metagenomics testing — analysing thousands of bacterial species compared to the ~50 detected by standard tests — to find the root cause others have missed. University of Tasmania Roll of Excellence 2024 | Bachelor of Medicines Management ProfHonsCM | 20+ years clinical experience | Host of the Love & Guts Podcast | Creator of BetterMe Tea | Telehealth consultations available Australia-wide and internationally.

#311 If you've been drinking the water, eating the fibre, taking the  magnesium and prebiotics — and you're still constipated — this episode is for you. Chronic constipation is rarely just a lifestyle problem. In most cases, there is a deeper, physiological root cause that hasn't been properly investigated. In this solo episode, Lynda walks you through five of the most commonly missed drivers of chronic constipation, what the research says, and why getting the right investigation changes everything. You'll discover: - Why do methane-producing gut organisms (IMO) physically slow down your bowel movement — and why fibre and resistant starch can make it worse - Dyssynergic defecation — when your pelvic floor tightens instead of releasing - Secondary medical causes that are frequently overlooked, including thyroid dysfunction and medications - What advanced microbiome testing reveals that standard tests simply miss - How chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, and trauma keep you stuck - Why chronic constipation has been linked to cognitive decline and can precede Parkinson's disease motor symptoms by 20 or more years If you've been at this for a long time without answers, this episode  was made for you. References & show notes: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/chronic-constipation-naturopath-root-causes/ ——————————————————— 💼 WORK WITH ME 💝 Book a 1:1 Consultation: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/book-an... 🍵 Shop BetterMe Tea (Digestive Support): https://www.lyndagriparic.com/shop/ 🌐 Website: https://lyndagriparic.com ——————————————————— 📱 CONNECT WITH ME 📸 Instagram: 📷 / lynda_griparic_naturopath 🎙️ Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0SoDelo... 🎙️ Podcast on Youtube: https://youtu.be/KK9_CtFIUUA?si=-onF1Us9a4vPDczy ——————————————————— 🔥 ABOUT ME I'm Lynda Griparic, a degree-qualified naturopath specialising in complex gut health conditions, including SIBO, IMO, chronic constipation, and microbiome dysfunction. I help people who have tried everything and still can't get answers. I use advanced Microba shotgun metagenomics testing — analysing thousands of bacterial species compared to the ~50 detected by standard tests — to find the root cause others have missed.  University of Tasmania Roll of Excellence 2024 | Bachelor of Medicines Management ProfHonsCM | 20+ years clinical experience | Host of the Love & Guts Podcast | Creator of BetterMe Tea | Telehealth consultations available Australia-wide and internationally. ——————————————————— ⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health routine.

#310 Udo Erasmus, the legendary "oil guy" and author of Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill, sets the record straight on the seed oil controversy. After being poisoned by pesticides in 1980, Udo dedicated his life to understanding fats and oils—and what he discovered will change how you think about omega-6. In this episode, you'll discover: ✅ Why industrial processing—not omega-6 itself—is destroying your health ✅ The shocking truth: 60 quintillion damaged molecules in ONE tablespoon of processed oil ✅ How to distinguish between healthy whole-food omega-6 (like walnuts) vs toxic processed oils ✅ What the 2024 colon cancer study REALLY shows about seed oils ✅ Why olive oil and sunflower oil aren't created equal ✅ The optimal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio your body actually needs ✅ How pesticides, plastic bottles, and heat destroy even "healthy" oils #SeedOils #Omega6 #UdoErasmus #GutHealth #DigestiveHealth #HealthyFats #OmegaFattyAcids #ProcessedFoods #NaturalHealth ——————————————————— ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome Back 00:51 - Guest Bio: Udo Erasmus 02:13 - From Pesticide Poisoning to Oil Pioneer 05:22 - The 42 Essential Nutrients Your Body Needs 08:24 - Why Omega-6 Is Essential (Despite What You've Heard) 12:38 - Industrial Processing: The REAL Problem 20:36 - 60 Quintillion Damaged Molecules Per Tablespoon 26:07 - Organic Oils vs Conventional: What Industry Hides 36:11 - The Colon Cancer Study Everyone's Talking About 49:17 - Practical Tips: Which Oils to Use & How ——————————————————— 👤 FEATURED GUEST: Udo Erasmus Udo Erasmus is a legendary health educator and founder of Udo's Choice, a global wellness brand that's transformed the way people think about fats and holistic health. He created the machinery and method for pressing oils with health in mind and is internationally recognised as an expert on omega fatty acids. Udo is the author of the bestselling Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill and his new book Your Body Needs an Oil Change. He's delivered over 5,000 presentations, been featured in 3,000+ interviews, and spoken in 30+ countries. Udo appears in Eating Our Way to Extinction and has shared stages with Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra. With a background in counselling psychology, Udo blends science with soul. His 10-Step Model for Total Health goes beyond diet, addressing emotional wellness, purpose, and inner peace. 🌐 Udo's website: https://udoerasmus.com 📚 Your Body Needs an Oil Change: https://udoerasmus.com/products ——————————————————— 💼 WORK WITH ME 💝 Book a 1:1 Consultation: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/book-an... 🍵 Shop BetterMe Tea (Digestive Support): https://www.lyndagriparic.com/shop/ 🌐 Website: https://lyndagriparic.com ——————————————————— 📱 CONNECT WITH ME 📸 Instagram: 📷 / lynda_griparic_naturopath 🎙️ Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0SoDelo... 🎙️ Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast... ——————————————————— 🔥 ABOUT ME I'm Lynda Griparic, a degree-qualified naturopath, healthy gut practitioner, podcaster, and yoga teacher (aka The Poop Whisperer 💩). I combine clinical expertise with personal understanding to help my clients achieve lasting relief from digestive issues. I'm also the creator of BetterMe Tea, formulated specifically to support healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. ——————————————————— ⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health routine.

#309 The hidden link between light exposure and gut health revealed! In this episode, I explore the fascinating connection between circadian rhythms, light exposure, and digestive health with regenerative health expert Dr. Max Gulhane. Unfortunately, we experienced a technical issue during recording, so I'll be walking through the first half of our conversation from my prepared notes before we dive into the recorded interview with Max. In this episode, you'll discover: ✅ Why light exposure is more than just vitamin D for gut health ✅ The gut microbiome's circadian rhythm and how 15-20% of bacteria fluctuate in a 24-hour cycle ✅ How light signals affect your gut barrier, permeability, and immune function ✅ The SCFA-circadian feedback loop and why it matters for healing ✅ Why midnight phone scrolling disrupts your gut (and what happens when you do) ✅ The role of melatonin produced in your gut (not your brain) ✅ How to optimize light exposure for gut health—safely for Australian conditions ✅ Why fixing circadian disruption might be the missing piece in your gut healing protocol   Dr. Max Gulhane is a General Practice Registrar and health educator based in Australia. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2018 with a Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health, following his Bachelor of Science from the University of Queensland in 2013. His current focus centers on the role of light, circadian rhythms, and mitochondrial health in longevity, alongside nutritional ketosis, carnivore nutrition, food system decentralization, and regenerative farming. Dr. Gulhane hosts the Regenerative Health Podcast and is co-founder of Regenerative Health Retreats, which combines cutting-edge circadian biology with holistic wellness practices. 🌐 Dr. Gulhane's website: https://www.drmaxgulhane.com/   WORK WITH ME Book a 1:1 Consultation: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/book-an-appointment Shop BetterMe Tea (Digestive Support): https://www.lyndagriparic.com/shop/ Website: https://lyndagriparic.com   ABOUT ME  I'm Lynda Griparic, a degree-qualified naturopath, healthy gut practitioner, podcaster, and yoga teacher (aka The Poop Whisperer 💩). I combine clinical expertise with personal understanding to help my clients achieve lasting relief from digestive issues. I'm also the creator of BetterMe Tea, formulated specifically to support healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.

#307 Raul Pastrana is a degree-qualified naturopath specializing in fertility and reproductive health, with a particular focus on male fertility—an area that's often overlooked in the fertility conversation. He works closely with individuals and couples through preconception care, IVF preparation, and natural conception, creating tailored treatment plans based on semen analysis, blood pathology, and each person's unique circumstances. Raul is the author of The Male Factor: Fertility is a Shared Responsibility, where he explores how men can actively influence fertility outcomes and provides practical strategies to improve sperm health. Drawing on his background as both a naturopath and personal trainer, Raul has a gift for translating complex health information into actionable changes that people can actually integrate into their daily lives. He is passionate about shifting the narrative around fertility from being solely a "women's issue" to recognising it as a shared responsibility that requires equal investigation and treatment for both partners. In this episode, we cover: Why male factors contribute to at least 50% of infertility cases, yet women carry the burden of investigation and treatment  How sperm health impacts not just conception, but pregnancy loss, complications, and long-term child health The 72-74 day sperm production cycle and why this gives men unique leverage to improve outcomes quickly What's actually being measured in a semen analysis—and why "normal" reference ranges are based on the 5th percentile DNA fragmentation: the critical test that's often overlooked and what it reveals about fertility potential The main factors that influence sperm health: medications (SSRIs, finasteride, ibuprofen), alcohol, antibiotics, and lesser-known culprits The seminal microbiome: what healthy versus dysbiotic looks like and how gut health influences reproductive health Real case studies of dramatic sperm improvements after addressing underlying factors Why proper testing and preconception care matter even when pursuing IVF   If you or someone you know is navigating fertility challenges—or simply wants to optimize reproductive health—this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights that could change outcomes.     Pre-order The Male Factor: https://www.rhreproductivehealth.com/bookstore Rauls website https://www.rhreproductivehealth.com/our-team , Rauls instagram https://www.instagram.com/raulpastrana_hormonalhealth/?hl=en   WORK WITH ME: Book a 1:1 Consultation: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/book-an-appointment/  Shop BetterMe Tea: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/shop/ Website: https://lyndagriparic.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynda_griparic_naturopath/     This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.