There are many factors that impact gut health: diet, mental health, genes, exercise, and more. Many of these factors can be changed to improve overall health via the gut. Mental health and the role of stress is important to consider in the management of one's physical health and may become an important target of treatment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a chronic GI condition that presents with abdominal pain and alterations in bowel habits and is diagnosed based on symptoms after ruling out other conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

GI conditions, such as IBS, often require medical management in addition to food, mood and lifestyle changes.

The newly released book, Mind Your Gut: The Science-based, Whole-body Guide to Living Well with IBS is an evidence-based toolkit that will help readers understand the ins and outs of IBS, the available treatment options and key strategies that can be implemented right away.

Tune into this episode with Dr. Megan Riehl and Dietitian Kate Scarlata to learn about:

· Gut health in general

· How stress impacts health

· How a GI psychologist is different from a general mental health provider

· What IBS is, how it develops and how it is diagnosed

· The newly released book: Mind Your Gut

· The gut, brain and food connection

· Nutritional and behavioral strategies to manage IBS

· Common IBS myths

· Lifestyle factors to improve gut health and overall health

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/262

The Ultra Processed Foods Debate: Are They Causing Negative Health Outcomes?

Research on ultra-processed foods (UPF) has greatly increased over the past few years as has media coverage on the topic. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) will address the scientific question: “What is the relationship between dietary patterns with varying amounts of ultra-processed foods and growth, body composition, and risk of obesity.”

Tune into this episode with Dr. Joanne Slavin to learn about:

· The role of processed foods/food processing in the diet

· Various definitions of UPF

· DGAC’s process for addressing scientific questions

· Why processing and UPF has emerged as an issue

· Current, prominent research studies on UPF

· Consumer attitudes and beliefs, realities of UPF in the diet

· Expert recommendations for healthy dietary patterns

· Food technology’s role in providing a nutritious, safe, sustainable food supply

· Resources and references

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/261

This Sound Bites® Podcast episode is sponsored by the California Walnut Commission and Wendy Bazilian is a paid partner for the California Walnut Commission.

Food trends ebb and flow but eating a plant-based diet has continued to trend and is likely to stick around for years to come. However, what exactly does a plant-based diet mean? What foods fit? And do people really understand how to implement it and reap the benefits? We will discuss the latest research on the effects that simple plant-based swaps can make on diet quality and overall well-being.

Tune into this episode to learn about:

· different terminology for plant-based eating

· new research on plant-based dietary patterns

· benefits of plant-based eating beyond adding produce to the diet

· how people who include meat/animal products can benefit from plant-based eating

· how partially replacing meat may potentially support health

· health benefits of walnuts

· tips for putting this new research into action

· where to find more information and resources

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/260