• Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner – Nutrition World) & Clint Powell
• A variety of topics all related to living a healthy life

Presented by: Nutrition World

www.nutritionw.com

Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio

www.noogadentistry.com

Production of: Whitfield Media Group

www.vitalhealthradio.com

Title: Breakthrough Treatments for C Diff with Guest Dr. Oscar, Kiwi for Bowel Regularity with Julia from Enzymedica

[0:00:00] Opening, Banter, and Announcements

• Ed plugs an upcoming podcast episode on heartburn with Julia from Enzymedica, explaining simple steps to get off PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) safely.
• MMA fighter sponsor shout‑out
  • Discussion of Chance, an 8–0 MMA fighter who works at Nutrition World’s warehouse.
  • Upcoming fight at Camp Jordan in July; Nutrition World is a sponsor.
• Ed describes Tallow House in Cleveland:
  • Burgers cooked in tallow
  • Sourdough buns, high-quality ingredients
  • Comparison to seed oils, stating tallow is preferable, though any fat can be overdone.
• Setup for today’s show / guests
  • Dr. Oscar – discussing a “revolutionary” next‑generation probiotic based on a super donor / fecal transplant science.
  • Julia from Enzymedica – discussing constipation and digestive enzymes.

[0:08:56] Gut Microbiome & Origin of the MET Probiotic

• Ed reiterates the show’s philosophy: better aging means adding strength, clarity, mobility, and energy to existing years.
• Emphasizes his longstanding passion for the gut microbiome and how cluttered/confusing that field is.
• Ed welcomes Dr. Oscar and frames the topic as a truly unique/probably revolutionary probiotic advance.
  • Personal story: Ed’s father died from C. diff about 20 years ago.
    • C. diff often triggered by antibiotics, then treated with more antibiotics → vicious cycle.
    • Ed wanted to give probiotics/Saccharomyces boulardii; doctor was lukewarm but allowed it.
• How the product started (C. diff & FMT) – Dr. Oscar
  • Traditional fecal microbiota transplants (FMT):
    • Helpful for C. diff, but risky for immunocompromised patients.
    • Concerns: pathogens, genetic material, and “yuckiness.”
  • Microbial Ecosystem Therapeutics (MET)
    • A company developed an alternative: MET, using a single “super donor”.
  • Process:
    • Select a rigorously screened donor with a healthy microbiome, no gut issues.
    • Extract unique anaerobic bacteria.
    • Use lyophilization (freeze-drying) to remove the fecal material and problematic components, leaving a purified community of bacteria.
    • Result: a blister‑pack capsule containing live anaerobic strains that can engraft in the gut.
• C. diff trials and efficacy
  • Comparative trials (MET-1 / MET-2) vs. fecal transplants for C. diff:
    • MET formulations performed as well or better than FMT in some outcomes.
  • One MET‑based product has already been used specifically for C. diff.
• Transition to functional / preventive use
  • The MET company partnered with Designs for Health and Guelph University (Ontario).
  • After years of research and clinical work, they created a five‑strain formulation used in the Designs for Health product.
  • Claim: these five strains regulate roughly 85% of metabolic and immune functions influenced by gut bacteria.

[0:14:47] How this Probiotic Differs from Traditional Probiotics

• Ed underscores:
  • Thousands screened to identify an optimal super donor with best diversity.
  • Human‑sourced strains → high compatibility with human physiology.
  • Wants clarification on aerobic vs. anaerobic differences and why they matter.
• Traditional probiotics vs MET strains – Dr. Oscar
  • Traditional probiotics:
    • Often from exogenous sources (fermented dairy, industrial fermentation, etc.).
    • Usually Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium etc.
    • They are generally transient:
      • Work while you take them.
      • Poor ability to engraft and persist once discontinued because they’re not native to the host.
    • Still useful (like eating salad: benefits only while you keep consuming them).
  • Human‑derived MET strains:
    • Sourced from a human donor, recognized by the body as “self‑like.”
    • Have co‑evolved with humans over long timeframes.
    • Function as an “accessory organ system”:
      • E.g., certain strains stimulate the production of new cells.
• Specific strain examples
  • Akkermansia:
    • Consumes mucin in the gut lining.
    • Produces metabolites that activate stem cells and progenitor cells, leading to new cell formation in the gut.
  • Other strains have specialized roles:
    • Ferment food.
    • Create an anaerobic environment.
    • Modulate immune responses.
• Oxygen & anaerobes, “crowding out” pathogens
  • Healthy human colon = low‑oxygen (anaerobic) environment.
  • Certain beneficial strains (e.g., Roseburia) help remove oxygen:
    • They create conditions where anaerobic commensals thrive.
    • Pathogens and opportunistic bacteria that prefer oxygen are crowded out, not killed with antibiotics.
  • Clinical observations:
    • Pre‑ and post‑testing show reductions in overgrowth bacteria when taking this formulation.
    • This suggests a “crowding out” approach vs. broad‑spectrum microbial killing.
• Terrain theory & engraftment duration
  • Ed references terrain theory (Antoine Béchamp): improve the internal environment to resist disease.
  • Engraftment data:
    • Early engraftment seen in ~2 weeks.
    • MET C. diff studies showed strains persisting up to 6 months.
  • Key dependency: diet and “fertilizing” the microbiome.
    • Good fiber, colorful plant foods, polyphenols → support long‑term survival.
    • Threats: alcohol, glyphosate, long‑term antibiotics, stomach acid meds, narrow macro diets (strict keto, carnivore, low‑FODMAP) without adequate diversity.
    • Solutions for narrow diets: add prebiotic fibers, greens/reds powders.
• Dosage & synergistic use with other probiotics
  • Ed confirms he’s taking one capsule per day of the Designs for Health product labeled “Next Generation Multi‑Strain Probiotic” and tolerating it well.
  • Dr. Oscar: One cap is enough
    • Emphasis on quality of the seed, not quantity (CFU count).
    • High‑quality engrafting strains self‑propagate as long as diet supports them.
  • Synergy with other probiotics:
    • Example: Lactobacillus produces lactate, which serves as a food source for some MET strains.
    • Hypothesis: traditional probiotics may have better persistence and function when the MET strains are present.
• Ed notes:
  • Very high‑strain blends (20+ strains) may have unknown “infighting.”
  • In contrast, a single donor community has already proven internal compatibility.
• Where to learn more
  • Designs for Health website: designsforhealth.com
    • Search “Complete Commensal” for patient education materials.
  • Note: two of the strains have never before been available in commercial probiotics due to encapsulation challenges with strict anaerobes; newer technology solved this.

[0:33:14] Constipation, Enzymes, Kiwi Regularity (with Julia from Enzymedica)

• Introducing Julia with Enzymedica
  • Julia is a long‑time educator (20+ years) in the natural health industry.
  • Ed compares clinical experience in natural health to a physician needing years of patient contact beyond textbooks.
• Julia: First-line advice – don’t rely on stimulant laxatives
  • Avoid over‑the‑counter stimulant laxatives except in rare, urgent situations.
  • Chronic use irritates the bowel and makes it dependent, reducing natural motility.
• Foundational step: chew your food & nervous system calm
  • Proper chewing:
    • Activates salivary amylase and lipase (carb and fat‑digesting enzymes).
    • Signals stomach acid secretion and subsequent digestive steps.
  • Ed notes:
    • Most people eat while on their phones, in a rushed state.
    • He tries to pause for ~1 minute before eating to reset.
  • Good digestion starts even with thought and sight of food.
• Why constipation happens & normal frequency
  • Normal bowel frequency:
    • At least once daily, ideally 2–3 times/day.
    • Some people report going only once a week, which is problematic.
  • If food is not broken down properly:
    • The body delays gastric emptying and slows peristalsis.
    • Leads to constipation, gas, and bloating.
  • Digestive enzymes:
    • Help break food down.
    • Improve signal timing for stomach emptying and intestinal motility.
    • Provide relatively rapid symptom relief (gas, bloating, heavy stomach).
• Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying
  • Can manifest as:
    • Heaviness (“rocks in my stomach”).
    • Minimal or absent bowel movements.
    • Bloating, gas, occasional heartburn, and nausea.
  • GLP‑1 drugs (e.g., Ozempic and similar):
    • Work partly by slowing gastric emptying.
    • Can exacerbate pre‑existing motility issues.
    • Digestive enzymes are compatible and can help.
• Enzyme basics & age
  • Humans make tens of thousands of enzymes, but production declines with age.
  • This explains why people often say:
    • “I used to be able to eat X, and now I can’t.”
• Gut–brain link & psychological burden
  • Many neurotransmitters (or their precursors) are made/processed in the gut:
    • Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, etc.
  • Poor gut function → can influence mood, sleep, appetite, social drive.
  • Constipation/diarrhea leads to stress, anxiety, fear of leaving home (e.g., unpredictable loose stools).
• Kiwi Regularity: a non‑stimulant “regulating” approach
  • Product: Enzymedica Kiwi Regularity (chewable).
  • Based on a concentrated kiwi extract, not a harsh laxative.
  • Works in both directions:
    • Helps people who can’t go (constipation).
    • Helps bind loose stools (diarrhea/urgency).
  • Gently supports motility and microbiome over time.
• Miralax concerns
  • Ed and Julia criticize chronic use of Miralax:
    • Widely prescribed, even for children.
• Kiwi Regularity:
  • Gentle, non‑addictive, appropriate for:
    • Children.
    • Pregnant women (though labeling can’t state it due to regulations).
    • Works long‑term and supports microbiome.
  • Shown in 4‑week studies to:
    • Increase commensal Bifidobacteria.
    • Support Akkermansia and butyrate production.
    • Butyrate nourishes colon cells and supports gut barrier.

[0:43:01] Practical Enzyme Use, Histamine, and Product Recommendations

• Industrial vs human‑oriented enzymes
  • Many enzymes on the market were originally developed for industrial uses.
  • Enzymedica (since 1998) focused specifically on human digestive enzymes and research.
• Emergency backup vs daily habits
  • Ed shares a travel anecdote:
    • Severe constipation scenario solved with a Fleet enema while out of town.
    • Enemas are non‑addictive, suitable for rare emergencies.
  • Emphasizes hydration and magnesium:
    • Magnesium (especially certain forms) helps pull water into the bowel.
    • Regular use of magnesium oxide solely as a laxative is not ideal; better to use more balanced forms (e.g., magnesium glycinate).
• Most people over ~30 benefit from enzymes
  • Declining enzyme production with age + modern diet → strong case for broad digestive enzyme support.
• Histamine & DAO enzymes
  • Enzyme DAO (diamine oxidase) can help break down histamine from food.
  • It’s typically porcine‑sourced.
  • Crucial caveat:
    • Must pair with a low‑histamine diet; enzymes alone won’t fully overcome high‑histamine intake.
• Gluten‑digesting enzymes limits
  • Gluten enzyme products can help with cross‑contamination or minor slip‑ups.
  • They are not a license to eat full gluten-rich meals (like a whole pizza) with impunity.
• Which Enzymedica product for the “average American diet”?
  • For “standard” American eating patterns (larger, richer, mixed meals):
    • Digest Gold:
      • Enzymedica’s most potent formula.
      • Suited for heavy or complex meals, people early in their digestive-health journey.
  • For somewhat cleaner / smaller meals:
    • Digest Complete:
      • Slightly smaller capsule, still potent.
      • Good for those who have already improved diet somewhat.
• Enzymedica’s research shows digestive enzymes also support microbiome health, not just symptom relief.
• In the broader health context, Both Julia and Ed highlight:
  • Modern environmental and lifestyle burdens (glyphosate, EMFs, etc.).
  • Need for foundational supports: enzymes, probiotics, microbiome‑friendly diet.
• Where to learn more
  • Website: enzymedica.com
    • Contains educational articles, research summaries, and product info.
  • Ed notes Enzymedica has extensively trained Nutrition World staff on enzymes, heartburn, slow/fast transit, etc.

[0:55:36] Final Segment

• Ed references a study:
  • A single course of antibiotics can alter gut microbiome for years, affecting digestion, immunity, and metabolic health.
  • Most recover within first two years post‑antibiotics, but not fully without support.
  • Reaffirms importance of probiotics and enzymes on the “first page” of gut health tools.
•  Balanced view on medicine
  • Acknowledge a time and place for antibiotics and conventional care (e.g., pneumonia, UTIs).
  • Stress avoiding reflexive decisions based on fear; consider pros/cons, then act.

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