Microbiome Basics: How Pre-, Pro-, and Postbiotics Support Health, Part 2

Dr. Ross Pelton, Director of Science & Education for Essential Formulas Incorporated, maker of Dr. Ohhira’s premium probiotic products, reveals how the gut microbiome affects metabolism, appetite, weight regulation, and overall health. He emphasizes the importance of microbiome diversity, supported by eating a wide variety of plant foods rich in fiber and polyphenols, and discusses how fermented foods and postbiotic metabolites help maintain a healthy gut environment. Pelton explains Dr. Ohhira’s multi-year fermentation process and the idea that postbiotics may be key health regulators. He reviews studies suggesting benefits from Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics for athletic performance markers, reduced fatigue, and improved bowel regularity, and notes research showing antibiotic-related losses in gut diversity can persist for years. He also mentions a higher-dose “Reset Challenge,” a postbiotic paste concentrate, and an ME-3 product aimed at increasing glutathione.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Ross Pelton, Director of Science & Education for Essential Formulas Incorporated, maker of Dr. Ohhira’s premium probiotic products.

Paying attention to injuries may speed healing—could pain meds blunt the healing response? Fact check: “Everyone over 70 should take a statin”? Billy Joel’s “brain surgery”; How to live past 100—get condemned to “death row”; Are vegans hotter than meat eaters? Promising lp(a) drug fails crucial test; Pain under the left rib cage—what are the possibilities? 

Wobbly arms and shaky legs—could it be FND? Women who start hormones in the 50s have 23% lower dementia risk; How to prep for cataract surgery; Plant-based meat alternatives may deliver harmful mycotoxins; Keto diets outperform low-fat and Mediterranean diets for liver health, blood sugar; NY Times highlights magnesium for sleep; Even a single bout of antibiotics produces long-term harm to microbiome.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin answers a listener question about taking many supplements with oolong tea, explaining that tea tannins can interfere with vitamin and mineral absorption; because oolong is partially oxidized, its tannin level falls between green and black tea, so she recommends taking supplements with water and separating them from tea or coffee by at least an hour (ideally 1.5–2 hours). She then reviews research in Nature Communications from USC on how gut signals via the vagus nerve may influence which food experiences become memories: in rats, nutrient-rich foods increased acetylcholine signaling to the hippocampus, supporting memory for food location, while sweetness without calories did not. Over time, high-fat/high-sugar diets weakened this gut–hippocampus communication and memory performance, with implications for obesity, diabetes/prediabetes, and cognitive decline, and possible future vagus-nerve-based approaches.

Ultra-processed foods' impact on postpartum depression/psychosisWhich should my sister take, Jardiance or Dapagliflozen?  I had aortic valve repair. Can I safely take N101?I suffer with trigeminal neuralgia after recent extensive dental work. What do you advise?What would be the optimal total testosterone level for an 84 year old male?

How can I find an integrative pediatrician in the NYC or Weehawken/Hoboken area?Can the xylitol in my nasal spray have an adverse impact on heart health?I chronically use Vaseline on my lips. Is this a concern?My 25-year-old daughter was diagnosed with lipedema stage one. Any advice?I had an Apo B test and am confused at the results. Could you elucidate?

Former pharma reporter for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, investigative reporter Gardiner Harris, discusses his new book “No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson and Johnson.” It details the unethical practices and numerous scandals that have plagued Johnson & Johnson over the decades, including the asbestos contamination in baby powder, the misuse of the antipsychotic drug Risperdal, the dangerous outcomes of vaginal mesh implants, and the controversial development and deployment of their COVID-19 vaccine. Harris provides a comprehensive overview of the corporate malfeasance within the pharmaceutical giant, shedding light on the regulatory failures and systemic corruption that have allowed these issues to persist.

Dr. Hoffmabn continues his conversation with investigative reporter Gardiner Harris, author of “No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson and Johnson.” 

Renowned integrative medicine physician, board-certified internist, and researcher Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum discusses his new book, "Pain Relief in 4 Simple Steps," and the growing chronic pain epidemic (one in four U.S. adults; about 7% debilitating). Teitelbaum argues most pain is treatable by addressing root causes and describes four biochemical pain types—muscle pain from low energy, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, and brain pain (microglial activation)—alongside structural, biophysical, and mind-body contributors. They discuss risks of NSAIDs and Tylenol, diet’s role (processed foods, sugar, seed oils), and strategies such as an Energy Revitalization Drink Mix, SHINE protocol, curcumin with turmeric oils plus boswellia (Curamin), omega-3 support, magnesium, B12 issues with metformin/GLP drugs, lipoic acid for neuropathy and burning mouth syndrome, and migraine support with high-dose riboflavin and magnesium. He also cover CRPS treatments (including ketamine and bisphosphonates), low-dose naltrexone and PEA, compounded topical options, and pelvic pain/prostatitis approaches including quercetin and antibiotics like fosfomycin when appropriate.