EPISODE #088
Why Your Gut Holds the Secret to Your Mental Health (And Most Doctors Miss It)
WITH
Dr. James Kinross
Powered by RedCircle
Show Notes
In this episode, Dr. James Kinross, consultant surgeon and microbiome scientist at Imperial College London, reveals why the trillions of microbes living inside us hold the key to our physical and mental health—and why we’re facing an “internal climate crisis” that’s changing everything. From IBS to obesity to mental health struggles, Dr. Kinross explains how our relationship with these invisible organisms determines our wellbeing far more than we realize.
I’ll walk you through:
✅ Why your microbiome is like an orchestra playing a symphony to your body—and what happens when it goes silent
✅ The shocking truth about antibiotics: how childhood exposure shapes lifelong health (and what to do if you need them now)
✅ Why IBS isn’t actually about your bowel—it’s a gut-brain problem that starts in childhood
✅ The fiber rule that reduces your risk of nearly every chronic disease (and why carnivore diets are terrible for your gut)
✅ How travel, stress, and sleep deprivation completely shift your microbiome—and why some people’s IBS vanishes on vacation
✅ The real problem with microbiome testing and how to know if yours is actually useful
✅ Why extreme diets and quick fixes fail—and what actually works for long-term gut health
Whether you’re struggling with digestive issues, trying to understand the mind-body connection in your practice, or simply want to optimize your health, Dr. Kinross offers clear, science-backed insights that cut through the “wild west” of wellness trends. His message is urgent yet hopeful: we can become conservationists of our own internal ecosystem.
🔔 Remember: You are as microbial as you are human. A diverse diet equals a diverse microbiome equals a longer, healthier life. There are no hacks—only understanding.
========================================================
Dr. James Kinross’s relevant links:
Website: https://www.jameskinross.com
Instagram: @DrJamesKinross
Book: Dark Matter: The New Science of the Microbiome (Penguin, 2023)
Connect with Luella Jonk
Relevant Links | Social Media:
Luella Jonk | YouTube Episodes
Luella Jonk | Instagram
Luella Jonk | Facebook
Luella Jonk | LinkedIn
This podcast provides general health information and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance. The views expressed here are not a replacement for expert medical opinions.

