Part 8/17:
One of Rhonda’s core points revolves around the human microbiome—the collection of trillions of bacteria residing in our gut. She discusses how diet profoundly influences microbiome composition within hours, with high-protein, low-fiber diets promoting bacteria that ferment amino acids, some of which produce potentially harmful compounds linked to colon cancer.
She mentions studies where fasting reshapes the microbiome, increasing beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate—crucial for immune regulation and anti-inflammatory responses. The idea is that dietary extremes, especially a meat-only diet, could destabilize microbiome diversity, with unknown long-term consequences.