What We Got Wrong About the Gut Microbiome (And What's Actually Right)

What We Got Wrong About the Gut Microbiome (And What's Actually Right)

Author: Dr. Mark Hyman September 2, 2026 Duration: 1:04:48
We hear a lot about improving gut health through food, probiotics, and supplements. But after more than a decade of major advances in microbiome research, the picture has become both more promising and more complex. In this episode, I’m joined by gastroenterologist and neuroscientist Dr. Emeran Mayer, co-author of the new book The Mayer Model, to explore how our understanding of the gut-brain connection has evolved—and what we may still be getting wrong. We also look at what this growing field could mean for chronic disease and healthy aging. Here’s what you’ll learn: How your gut microbiome communicates with your brain, immune system, hormones, and metabolism Why diet alone may not be enough to improve gut health—and how sleep, stress, exercise, relationships, and purpose also shape your microbiome How modern diets and lifestyles have created a mismatch between our microbes and human biology Why probiotics and microbiome testing may not provide the personalized answers many people expect How fiber, polyphenols, fermented foods, and greater plant diversity help support a healthier, more resilient microbiome The food we eat matters, but so do the ways we move, sleep, manage stress, and connect with others. Supporting gut health isn’t about finding one magic solution. It’s about creating a healthier, more resilient system over time. Beginning September 1, Dr. Mayer’s team is offering my audience a collection of bonuses to accompany The Mayer Model. To learn more about the book and access the bonuses, click here. View Show Notes From This Episode Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Seed, Seatopia, Made In, PerfectAmino, BON CHARGE, and BIOptimizers. Make your microbiome part of your daily routine with seed.com/hyman and save 25% with code 25HYMAN. Find a cleaner source of seafood. Check out seatopia.fish and use code HYMAN for free shipping on your first order. Explore kitchen essentials at madeincookware.com and save 10% off your first order with code HYMAN-HIVE. Explore red light products at boncharge.com/hyman and enjoy 15% off with code HYMAN. Help fill protein gaps at bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 for 20% off. Shop Magnesium Breakthrough at bioptimizers.com/hyman and save 15% with code HYMAN.

Hosted by physician and functional medicine pioneer Dr. Mark Hyman, The Dr. Hyman Show is a conversation about reclaiming your well-being. Each episode digs into the interconnected systems that shape our health, moving beyond symptom management to address foundational causes. You’ll hear detailed discussions on nutrition, the roots of chronic disease, mental health strategies, and the science of longevity, all framed through a functional medicine lens. Dr. Hyman engages with leading experts and thinkers to challenge conventional wisdom on food policy and prevention, offering a practical and often provocative perspective. This podcast serves as a resource for anyone feeling lost in a healthcare system that can overlook root causes, providing actionable knowledge to make informed daily choices. Tune in for a deep, evidence-based exploration of how our bodies truly work, empowering you to reimagine your personal health potential through informed dialogue and discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Dr. Hyman Show
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