The Vaginal Microbiome with Greg Leyer, PhD

The Vaginal Microbiome with Greg Leyer, PhD

Author: Functional Forum September 14, 2022 Duration: 28:41

Our guest in this episode, Greg Leyer, PhD, has an academic background in deadly pathogenic bacteria, such as botulism and other foodborne illnesses. Now, he focuses on healthy bacteria and joins James to discuss benefits of probiotics for the vaginal microbiome.

While gastrointestinal health is thought to depend on microbiome diversity, the vaginal cavity requires a more homogenous population of Lactobacillus species. By producing organic acids—mainly lactic acid—lactobacilli help maintain a pH below 4, which prevents bacterial vaginosis.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

  • How and why taking oral probiotics affects the vaginal microbiome
  • Forms of microbiome supplementation, like probiotics, spores and heat-inactivated bacteria
  • Efficacy of probiotic supplementation in different geographic locations and ethnicity

And check out Dr. Leyer's ongoing work:


Hosted by the Functional Forum, Evolution of Medicine Podcast sits at the intersection of health, fitness, and alternative approaches to well-being. It’s a space for conversations that go beyond conventional treatment, exploring the ideas and practitioners actively reshaping how we think about care. Each episode features in-depth discussions with clinicians, researchers, and thought leaders who are redefining the patient journey. You’ll hear practical insights into functional medicine, preventative strategies, and the nuanced connections between lifestyle, nutrition, and long-term health. This podcast digs into the real-world application of these evolving principles, offering listeners a forward-looking perspective on what it means to truly support the body's innate capacity for healing. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of the systems, science, and stories driving this shift, providing a valuable resource for both healthcare professionals and anyone invested in taking a more active role in their own wellness. The dialogue here is dedicated to understanding the full spectrum of what modern medicine can become.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 104

Evolution of Medicine Podcast
Podcast Episodes
How Capitation with Group Medical Visits Evolves Healthcare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:16
Our podcast guest, Michael Mabry, DO, works in a fully capitated medical group in Johnson City, Tennessee. Capitation is a fee-per-patient model, which tends to promote health by incentivizing preventative medicine, chro…
Plant Polyphenols for Fat Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:30
This week's podcast guest is Jonathan Jones, PhD, a plant polyphenols researcher and the Chief Scientific Officer at Monteloeder, a company that provides innovative, scientifically researched botanical ingredients by ass…
Environmental Medicine and Medical Censorship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:13
Zandra Palma, MD practices what she calls "sub-diagnostic analysis and disease reversal," which is primarily environmental medicine with a touch of functional medicine. Environmental medicine, according to our guest, loo…
Transforming Healthcare: Working Within and Beyond the System [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:38
Our guest for this episode is Zeev E. Neuwirth, MD, an advocate for transforming healthcare delivery. He is a healthcare executive with over 15 years of clinical practice in internal medicine and another 15 years in clin…
Mitochondrial Support for Post-Infection Syndromes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:07
On this episode, Jon D. Kaiser, MD taught us about the mitochondrial health and chronic disease connection. Dr. Kaiser is a mitochondrial specialist with over thirty years of clinical and research experience in applying…
Incretin Agonists: Safety, Optimization and Support [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:27
This week, we address a hot and controversial topic in medicine: weight loss pharmaceuticals. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIP) agonists are gaining popularity for th…
Connecting to Your Spark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:50
Molly Maloof, MD joins the Evolution of Medicine podcast to discuss a shared vision: connection as a critical pillar of healthcare. Dr. Maloof recently authored and released a book called The Spark Factor, which teaches…
How Functional Pharmacies Are Evolving Medicine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:22
Dan Strause is the president and CEO of Hometown Pharmacy, which is a network of 70 independent functional pharmacies across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan that deliver patient-focused care. The Hometown Pharmacy group see…
Payment Models That Support Lifestyle Medicine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:22
Our guest this week on the podcast is Robert Pearl, MD, a lifestyle medicine champion and leader. He is the former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group (1999-2017), the largest United States medical group, and the former…
Connecting Mental Health to HPA Axis Function [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:31
Izabella Wentz, PharmD is an author and pharmacist who previously spoke on the Functional Forum and specializes in helping patients overcome thyroid dysfunction. In this episode, she joins James to talk about her persona…