Lowcountry Cuisine Hammock Coast 2020 Spring

LC 42 www.LowcountryCuisineMag.com | www.MountPleasantRestaurant.com | www.CharlestonRecipes.com lowcountry cuisine T here’s a world that scientists have recently started to study that’s teeming with life. Literally trillions of creatures living and breathing, or most not breathing at all, in a very small space. But this isn’t in a galaxy far, far away. This is happening right this very moment inside of you. Please allow me to introduce you to your gut microbiota, a collection of invisible microorganisms that, even though we can’t see them, are just as alive as me and you. They are the rock stars responsible for the gut health craze sweeping the nation and Charleston is about to be the epicenter when my book “Fiber Fueled” launches on May 12. As a Mount Pleasant resident with a local gastroenterology practice, it is my absolute mission to bring gut health to our community. Why is everyone so excited about gut health these days? Let me give you an example: You know how some people can eat whatever they want and never gain weight, while others grind and struggle to lose a pound? The gut microbiome may offer the explanation. In one study, they transferred the gut microbes from identical human twins into special germ-free mice. But there was a catch — the twins were discordant for weight. So even though they shared the same genetics, one human twin was skinny while the other obese. One mouse received the skinny person’s microbes while the other mouse got the obese person’s microbes. The mice were then fed the exact same food with the exact same number of calories. Scientists marveled over the following days as one mouse got fat while the other stayed skinny. Incredibly, the trait for obesity had transferred from human to mouse by way of the gut microbes. No more “calories in, calories out.” Our metabolism is just one small part of the power of our gut microbes. They are also deeply intertwined with our immune system, our hormonal balance, the way we think and our mood, and even the expression of our genetics. In short, they are powerful. Perhaps you have noticed the epidemics of obesity, autoimmune disease, even anxiety and depression sweeping our country. We suspect damage to these microbes may be the cause. So how can we turn them in our favor and make them work for us rather than against us? The most important thing is our diet. When we eat high-fat, high-sugar, ultra-processed foods, we are bringing out those energy loving, obesity-producing inflammatory microbes. But when we eat real food — particularly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts and legumes — we are feeding and empowering the good microbes. A diet that’s whole food plant-based with minimum processed food swings the gut health pendulum in our favor, and human health ensues. Isn’t it amazing how the bedrock of human health isn’t even human? Author and board-certified gastroenterologist, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz practices at Lowcountry Gastroenterology in Mount Pleasant. BY DR. WILL BULSIEWICZ Dr. Will Bulsiewicz is a board-certified gastroenterologist practicing at Lowcountry Gastroenterology in Mount Pleasant. He is the author of the highly anticipated gut health book, “Fiber Fueled,” available for pre-order on Amazon and launching nationwide on May 12. You’ll find him on Instagram as @theguthealthmd along with his tribe of more than 70,000 followers. He resides in Mount Pleasant with his wife and children. Gut Health Mania Coming to Charleston Dr. Bulsiewicz’s new book “Fiber Fueled” launches on May 12.