Episode #251
Ep 251: The Gut Microbiome: What Actually Matters for Kids? with Stephanie Culler, PhD
Send us Fan Mail What exactly is the gut microbiome—and how much does it really matter for our kids? In this episode of Your Child Is Normal , Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with Stephanie Culler, PhD, microbiome scientist and co-founder and CEO of Persephone Biosciences. Stephanie explains how the microbiome develops beginning in infancy, why Bifidobacterium may be particularly important early in life, and how birth, diet, antibiotics, pets, siblings, fiber, and fermented foods can influence the bacteria living in our gut. We also talk about: • What the microbiome actually does • Why researchers are studying the connection between the gut and immune health • What we can learn from Amish, Mennonite, and hunter-gatherer populations • Fiber and fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir • Whether kids really need probiotics • What antibiotics do to the microbiome • The connection between the microbiome, eczema, allergies, and asthma • Why correlation and causation are still important to distinguish • Whether at-home microbiome testing is useful • What microbiome science may look like in the future. Learn more about Stephanie Culler and Persephone Biosciences: My Baby Biome research and Persephone’s science: available through Persephone’s website As always, this conversation is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube: Ask Dr Jessica Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form . To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.
