Simple ways to improve gut health | Dr. Karan Rajan

Your body has two brains. And your second brain is your gut. Many think the “gut” is only the stomach - but it’s a network of organs, working together to regulate many different areas of health. When almost half of us suffer with gastrointestinal issues, learning how these organs interact is vital to improving symptoms.

On this episode, we’re joined by Dr Karan Rajan. When Karan’s not teaching his 10 million social media followers about common medical myths, he’s an NHS surgeon, operating on people’s bowels. Karan will reveal how our GI issues impact way more than just our poo.

Today, we explore how the gut and brain are connected, the lifestyle factors causing gut health issues and why it’s so hard for doctors to understand IBS.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST

🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+

*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:00Your second brain is in your gut

01:39Quickfire questions

03:50Why your gut is more than your stomach

05:41Why is digestion so important?

08:23How your nervous system impacts gut health

12:17Common ways we irritate our gut microbiome

17:11Antibiotics and gut health

23:30Why gut health starts at birth

27:25The mystery of IBS

30:19IBS vs IBD

35:07Why is bowel cancer on the rise?

37:19How to keep your gut happy

41:32Do probiotic supplements work?

45:48Why fermented foods are so powerful

48:01Can good gut health improve mental health?

49:30How often should you go to the toilet?

54:50Should we hold in farts?

Get Karan's book 'This Book Could Save Your Life' here

Mentioned in this episode:

• WorldwidePrevalence and Burden of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Results of Rome Foundation Global Study (2021),published in Gasteroenterology
• IBS Facts and Statistics, published by International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Epidemiologicalanalysis reveals a surge in inflammatory bowel disease among children and adolescents: A global, regional, and national perspective from 1990 to 2019– insights from the China study (2023,published by Journal of Global Health

Other ZOE Science & Nutrition episodes you might like:

• Whyare young people getting colon cancer?
• Whyone in ten children have a food allergy

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.

Episode transcripts are available here.