The Link Between the Gut Microbiome and Our Immune System with Dr. Jeffrey Bland

The Link Between the Gut Microbiome and Our Immune System with Dr. Jeffrey Bland

Author: JJ Virgin February 18, 2026 Duration: 50:22
How do ultra-processed foods change the way your genes behave? In this episode, I talk with my longtime friend and mentor, Dr. Jeffrey Bland, about why ultra-processed foods may be the most dangerous health experiment humans have ever run. We explored how food acts as information—shaping gene expression, immune health, and even how full or satisfied you feel. Dr. Bland, often called the father of functional medicine, brings decades of insight into how modern food systems are quietly rewriting our biology. Dr. Jeffrey Bland is known as the father of functional medicine and has spent over five decades studying how food, lifestyle, and biology shape human health. He’s a prolific educator, researcher, and founder behind multiple institutes, including Big Bold Health, dedicated to personalized and preventive medicine. What you’ll learn: (02:44) Why ultra-processed foods may be the biggest driver of modern chronic disease. (04:32) How food functions as biological information that influences gene expression. (06:49) Why life expectancy is declining despite advances in modern medicine. (09:22) How ultra-processed foods disrupt the gut microbiome and immune system. (17:38) What distinguishes healthy gut bacteria from harmful microbial patterns. (24:39) Why poor satiety from processed foods fuels weight gain and GLP-1 drug use. (28:29) How bitter compounds in natural foods naturally stimulate satiety hormones. (39:39) One simple mindset shift that can immediately improve food choices and health. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review. Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free? Go to http://subscribetojj.com Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! When you’re ready, enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year (save 17%!) Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/bold → Fatty15 | Fatty15 is on a mission to optimize your C15 levels to help support your long-term health and wellness - especially as you age. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/VIRGINWELLNESS and using code VIRGINWELLNESS at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midlife isn't a crisis; it's a catalyst. On Well Beyond 40, JJ Virgin guides a conversation about rewriting the narrative of aging for women, moving from simply coping to truly thriving. This isn't about chasing youth, but about building a foundation of strength and vitality that makes the coming decades the most rewarding yet. Each episode feels like a direct, practical talk with a trusted expert who cuts through the noise. You'll hear actionable strategies rooted in science, focusing on how nutrition, movement, and mindset intersect uniquely during this life stage. JJ translates complex research into clear steps for refueling your body, managing energy, and cultivating a sense of purpose that goes far beyond the scale. The Well Beyond 40 podcast operates on the principle that knowing *why* something works is just as important as knowing *what* to do. Listeners are invited into a space where questions about metabolic shifts, hormonal balance, sustainable fitness, and intentional beauty are met with evidence-based answers and genuine empathy. It’s a resource for any woman ready to move past generic advice and discover what it means to age with power, confidence, and joy on her own terms. Tune in to reframe your approach and build a life that feels truly well-lived.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Well Beyond 40
Podcast Episodes
Unlock the Power of Daily Walking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Herbal Solutions for Menopause with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg Lenz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:45
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Duration: 54:37
What simple daily habits can help you protect your metabolism as you age? In this episode, I explain why focusing entirely on standard scale weight is deeply damaging to your metabolism and overall long-term health. I sh…
Protect Your Cardiovascular Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:29
Could the fatigue you keep explaining away actually be your body trying to tell you something? In this episode, I sit down with women's health expert and cardiovascular advocate Dr. Jayne Morgan to uncover the critical,…
Why Aging Doesn't Mean Declining with Will Harlow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:16
What if the stiffness, pain, or weakness you blame on aging is actually something you can improve? In this episode, I’m talking with physiotherapist and bestselling author Will Harlow about why getting older does not hav…
The Keynote Every Woman Over 40 Needs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:05
What if the scale has been measuring the wrong kind of progress all along? I know what it feels like to be told your body should be smaller, but I also know the power that comes from choosing strong instead. In this keyn…
The Truth About Hormones and Trauma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:53
Could unresolved childhood stress be affecting your hormones today? I’m joined by nurse practitioner and author Cynthia Thurlow to dive deep into why high-performing women often struggle during perimenopause despite "doi…
How Dr. Doug Lucas Reverses Osteoporosis Naturally in Women [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:40
Could your DEXA scan be missing important clues about your real fracture risk? I brought Dr. Doug Lucas back because I’ve been getting so many questions about bone health, and I wanted to cut through the fear, myths, and…
Why Muscle Matters More Than the Scale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:15
Is your traditional bathroom scale actually sabotaging your health progress by hiding your muscle gains? I’m answering your biggest questions about why muscle matters so much for metabolism, fat loss, bone health, blood…
Decoding Myths About Hunger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:07
I am so excited to welcome back my friend Dr. Jason Fung, a world-renowned nephrologist and expert on intermittent fasting, to discuss his groundbreaking new book. In this episode, we peel back the layers on why the trad…