Episode 6: How To Change Your Microbiome With Plants And Plant-Fed Animals

In this episode, Dr. Slavko Komarnytsky shares his expertise in pharmacogenomics (the study of how people respond to certain therapies based on their genetic makeup). He describes how we can use pharmacogenomics to our advantage, using polyphenols as an example of how we can change our own microbiome. 

We discuss the complexities of plant microbiomes, natural antibiotics, soil, and why having even a small garden is highly beneficial to your physical and mental health. If you’ve ever wondered why eating plant-fed animals is important, Dr. Komarnytsky tells us why. Grab a vegetable, take off your shoes and go outside, and enjoy this episode! 

Episode Highlights

What is Pharmacogenomics

The study of how people respond to certain therapies based on their genetic makeup Seeing whether the body reacts as a state of threat, pleasure, aggression or defense It looks at the individual and discovers - What about you is different in how you respond to the environment in comparison to everyone else?

Microbiome and Metabolic Disease

Consuming foods high in polyphenols is typically beneficial for you  How do polyphenols translate to pharmacogenetic changes in our bodies that are either better or worse health outcomes?  When the compounds enter our guts we do have an influence over their role UNTIL they meet regions where there is a high bacterial count  The translational effect of the microbiome is very important  Polyphenols, in a way, are like a prebiotic - you can preselect and promote the expansion of certain classes of bacteria within your gut effectively changing your microbiome profile by feeding the microbes, certain classes of compounds

Relationship Between Bacteria and Plants

Most plants get their water and nutrients from soil All achieved by growing roots into the soil that give structure to the plant and need to be protected so the plant does not die Plants selectively propagate certain classes of bacteria that are not pathogenic by feeding them something - they secrete certain classes of compounds out and this allows certain classes of bacteria to proliferate Similar to intestinal epithelium

Gardening

Gardening, no matter how big or small is very beneficial to your physical and mental health

Secondary Metabolites in Plants

Plants make these to protect themselves, to communicate between themselves or with other organisms in the environment to try and survive Natural antibiotics are chemical compounds that occupy certain chemical spaces and by chance fit into certain chemical spaces in the pathogens  I.e. bacteria that disrupts their membranes, inhibits enzymes, and can stop their cell cycle

Plants In The Home 

Having plants in your home is good for your families overall health Plus you can use certain plants in the home to ward off pesky flies and ants like Heirloom tomatoes (the more hairs on the surface the better). 

Consuming Plant-fed Animals vs. Conventional Farmed Animals

When animals eat a diversified diet they absorb and deposit those nutrients into their organs so we, as the consumer of animals, absorb those nutrients too

Mobile Discovery Program

Take a sample of saliva, and inoculate the medium with your own saliva Anyone can participate and request a kit

 

Guest Bio
To learn more about Slavko Komarnytsky click here.
Born in the remote wilderness of the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine, Slavko Komarnytsky is an integrative biologist who combines expertise in botanical research and technological innovation with a commitment to reverse the worldwide trend of human metabolic and immune disorders. His scholarly work includes 70 papers that set trends in biodiscovery from natural sources, including phytochemicals such as phenolics and cannabinoids and their interaction with bitter receptors and the gut microbiome is related to health and disease. He is the Associate Professor of Pharmacogenomics at NC State University and the founder of the Mobile Discovery program that engages students and ethnic communities in global health research.

Episode Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Dr. Komarnytsky’s Story … 00:02:25
What is Pharmacogenomics … 00:06:00
Microbiome and Metabolic Disease … 00:10:00
Relationship Between Bacteria and Plants … 00: 18:16
Secondary Metabolites in Plants  … 00:30:33
Plants In The Home … 00:36:35
Mobile Discovery Program … 00:41:00
Episode Wrap Up … 00:47:10

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