#285 What a Gut Healthy Day Looks Like with Dr James Kinross PhD, FRCS

We know that gut health plays a crucial role in everything from digestion to immunity, weight management, and even mental well-being. But what does looking after your gut actually look like in practice? In this episode, I’m again joined by Dr James Kinross a senior lecturer in colorectal surgery and consultant surgeon at Imperial College London, he’s a researcher, and author of Dark Matter, to explore the science behind our gut microbiome—and how we can take actionable steps to support it every single day. 🔍 Key Topics We Cover:Should everyone be doing a gut microbiome test?Are daily probiotics necessary, or is food enough?Can our gut bacteria influence how easily we lose weight?What’s the link between stress, mood, and our microbes?Does a healthy gut help us live longer? But rather than just theory, today’s episode is all about practical strategies. We walk through what an ideal gut-health day looks like—from the moment you wake up to your morning routine, commute, meals, work stressors, and even how you wind down at night. Dr. Kinross breaks down: ✔ The best foods to start your day for optimal gut function ✔ What supplements to take (or avoid) for microbiome health ✔ How movement, stress, and even pollution affect your gut ✔ Why gut bacteria plays a role in breaking down food, recycling nutrients, and producing essential compounds ✔ How gut health shifts across different life stages—from newborns to aging adults We also dive into some big health questions, including: 🧠 The gut-brain connection – how microbes influence serotonin, dopamine, and mood 💊 Post-antibiotic recovery – what to do if you’ve just finished a round of antibiotics ⚖️ Weight control – how gut microbes affect appetite, fat burning, and metabolism 🦠 Cancer risk – why are cases of bowel cancer rising in younger people? If you’ve ever wondered how to support your gut and why it matters, this is the episode for you. 🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here 📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app 🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website ☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here 🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan 📷 Follow on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.