How the Health of Your Microbiome Can Make You Happy

The Health of Your Microbiome: Summary

In The Health of Your Microbiome, Dr. William Davis, cardiologist and bestselling author, delves into how gluten and modern wheat negatively impact health, contributing to conditions like heart disease. He shares his journey of discovery, which began with challenging the common dietary advice to include ‘healthy whole grains’ and the effectiveness of statin drugs. He emphasizes that it is not just about being gluten-free but completely grain-free, due to the detrimental effects of substances like amylopectin A found in grains on heart health and small LDL particles formation, a major cause of heart disease and other health issues.

His research led to practical dietary changes for his patients, showing significant health improvements like weight loss and reversing diabetes. He connects this to the larger failings of current healthcare practices that prioritize treatments like statins over addressing root dietary causes. The discussion also explores restoring key beneficial microbes in the human microbiome after examining the positive outcomes observed from reintroducing Lactobacillus reuteri through homemade yogurt. This microbe, once common in human intestines but now largely lost due to antibiotics and other factors, shows promise in increasing oxytocin levels and empathy, reducing inflammation, shrinking abdominal fat, and improving skin health. Dr. Davis highlights ongoing research and personal experiences attesting to microbiome manipulation’s transformative potential.

Finally, Dr. Davis discusses the broader social and psychological implications of modern health practices, suggesting that many societal issues could be mitigated by improving individual health at the microbiome level. He recounts personal anecdotes and scientific studies that show how a healthier gut can lead to lessened impulsiveness, enhanced mood, and better overall psychological well-being. He expresses his mission to continue educating people and exploring further the diverse impacts that microbiome health can have on human behavior and societal interactions.