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
Dr. Scott Sherr Reveals the Biohacking Power of Methylene Blue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:42
Could a low dose of methylene blue be the missing "bridge" to help you overcome chronic brain fog and fatigue? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Scott Sherr, a leading expert in health optimization and hyperbaric medi…
I Used To Be Vegan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:52
Is a low-fat vegan diet costing you muscle mass? I used to be a total cardio junkie and vegan, thinking I was doing the healthiest thing possible until a humiliating body composition test revealed my body fat had skyrock…
Break the Stress Spiral with Dr. Scott Sherr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:17
Why does your metabolism seem to grind to a halt even when you’re doing everything "right"? I'm joined by Dr. Scott Sherr, a specialist in health optimization and internal medicine, to dive deep into why so many of us fe…
What the Amazon Taught Me About Comfort [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:53
How would you handle the mental and physical challenge of living without electricity, hot water, or climate control? I recently embarked on a profound pilgrimage to the heart of the Amazon rainforest that pushed me far b…
Dr. Deanna Minich Tells Us Why Timing Trumps Your Diet Plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:00
What if the "when" of your eating matters more than the "what"? I’ve talked about sleep for years, but this conversation with Dr. Deanna Minich made me realize sleep is just the tip of the circadian iceberg. She showed m…
The Nutrient That Protects Your Muscles, Especially After 40 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:05
Might you be unknowingly under-eating the one nutrient your muscles desperately need after 40? As we move beyond 40, preserving muscle becomes one of the most important things we can do for our metabolism, strength, and…
Smarter Sex Starts Now, with Emily Morse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:56
Why does desire feel so different after 40? And what can actually reignite it? In this episode, I talk with sex educator Emily Morse about sex after 40—what changes, what improves, and what we’ve been taught completely w…
Calories Are Not The Problem, Your Hormones Are Storing Fat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:03
Why does eating less and exercising more often stop working after 40? I’ve lived through the frustration of doing everything “right” and still watching fat accumulate around my midsection. In this episode, I explain why…
Activating Your Body’s Self-Healing with Dr. Fab Mancini [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:35
Can belief systems determine health outcomes more than treatments? In this episode, I sat down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Fab Mancini to explore why belief, mindset, and nervous system health are foundational…
The Breakfast Rule That Transformed My Metabolism After 40 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:53
How does breakfast timing influence hormones and blood sugar control? In this episode, I break down the exact breakfast rule that transformed my metabolism after 40 by changing when and how I eat my first meal. I explain…