You have more bacteria in your gut than human cells in your body. Here's what they're doing — and what's quietly wiping them out.

You've heard "gut health" your entire life. But have you ever heard what's actually in there?

38 trillion microorganisms — bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea — are living in your gut right now. That number roughly matches your total human cell count. Scientists call this community your microbiome. And it is one of the most consequential systems in your body.

In this episode, Dave breaks down exactly what the microbiome is, what it's doing for your immunity, your mood, your metabolism, and your brain — and what modern habits are quietly wiping it out.

What you'll learn:

- Why diversity matters more than quantity in your gut microbiome

- How 70-80% of your immune system depends on your gut bacteria

- The connection between microbiome disruption and neuroinflammation

- Why two people can eat the same meal and have completely different metabolic responses

- What antibiotics, emulsifiers, chronic stress, and low fiber do to your microbiome

- Why some microbiome losses after antibiotics are permanent

Research referenced:

- Human Microbiome Project, NIH (2012)

- Wastyk HC et al. (2021), Cell — diet, microbiome diversity, and inflammatory markers

- Weizmann Institute research on personalized glycemic response

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