Women today are facing an unprecedented wave of hormone related issues. PCOS is now one of the leading causes of infertility. PMDD and severe PMS are increasingly common. Irregular cycles, painful periods, and post birth control symptoms affect millions.
Yet one theme keeps appearing across all of these conditions: the gut microbiome.
Men today have more access to gyms, supplements, performance data, and health information than ever before. Yet at the same time, we are seeing declining testosterone levels, rising rates of colon cancer in younger men, increasing metabolic dysfunction, and widespread digestive issues.
How can both be true?
The answer may lie in a disconnect between effort and environment. Many men are working hard in the gym but overlooking the foundation that determines how well the body actually performs: the gut microbiome.
Anxiety is not a personality trait or a permanent diagnosis. It is often a biological signal, deeply connected to the gut microbiome, hormone balance, and nervous system regulation. Because most serotonin is produced in the gut, disruptions from stress, antibiotics, birth control, inflammation, or early life experiences can shape anxiety patterns for years. True healing requires looking beyond symptom suppression and addressing the gut–brain connection at its root. If you’ve felt defined by anxiety, this is a hopeful reminder: your body is adapting, not broken, and with the right support, it can recalibrate.
The state of children’s health in the U.S. is declining — with rising rates of obesity, pre‑diabetes, autoimmune conditions, allergies, and mental health challenges appearing earlier than ever. The root of these issues often begins in the gut microbiome — starting before birth.
For decades, alcohol has been deeply woven into social culture — celebrations, stress relief, connection, and even relaxation. But a growing number of people are beginning to ask a different question: Is this actually making me feel better?
In Episode 32 of the Gut Check Podcast, we sit down with Taylor Grasso, RD, and Zack Grasso, founders of Pesce, a functional mocktail brand designed for people who want the experience of drinking — without the physical cost.
This conversation goes far beyond mocktails. It’s about gut health, sleep, stress, hormones, blood sugar, and a generational shift toward conscious consumption.
Chronic disease has become so common that many people mistake it for inevitable. Weight gain with age. Digestive issues. Autoimmune conditions. Cognitive decline. The quiet assumption is that these are just part of modern life.
But common does not mean normal.
Brian Sanders—founder of Food Lies and creator of the Sapien framework—joins the Gut Check Podcast to discuss how many of today’s health problems stem from food regimens and narratives that were never designed for human health in the first place.
