Overview

On this episode of Build Your Network, Host Travis Chappell interviews Stephen Barrie, physician, entrepreneur, scientist, teacher, and author.

Topics Discussed:

• About Stephen Barrie
  • Wrote some of the first modern papers on dysbiosis and leaky gut.
  • Founded Genova Diagnostics, the world’s largest chronic disease clinical laboratory.
  • Written several NY Times lay person health books.
  • Published in many peer reviewed medical journals.
  • Helped the central government of China implement functional medicine into the Chinese healthcare system.
  • Has had an interesting worldwide journey.
    • His mission is to educate people on their health and that’s been his common thread.
  • What is the microbiome?
    • Single-cell organisms like bacteria, etc.
    • The microbiome is very much related to the health of our skin and our gastrointestinal track.
    • There are over 40 trillion bacteria in our gut, that’s more than the cells in the body.
    • The microbiome is now considered to be a separate organ in the body.
    • The research in the past couple of years show that the bacteria control what we think, when we’re hungry, when we’re going to get a disease, etc.
    • Dysbiosis is an imbalance in our bacteria, they’re not producing enough of the good chemicals, they’re producing bad chemicals.
    • If we can solve the problems in the gut, any form of disease can also be solved.
    • The balance of the bacteria in the gut totally controls when chemotherapy drugs will be effective or not.
  • What was the medical landscape like 25 years ago when you brought up the microbiome?
    • The microbiome was part of the folklore culture.
      • Fermented products were always said to be beneficial.
    • The 1940’s focused on antibiotics, etc.
    • About six people stood up and called Barrie a witch when he spoke about the microbiome in 1986.
    • If you’re a pioneer, you’re close to the edge of the cliff and disrupting stuff.
  • In the last 3-4 years, microbiome research has been borne out through research.
    • Every week there are 10-15 papers coming out on microbiome research.
    • Breast cancer research has borne out that breast cancer is starting in the gut.
  • What does this mean for the future of medicine?
    • We have to pay a lot more attention to the gut, what chemicals they’re producing and how to respond.
  • Tell us more about Viome.
    • It turns out that babies born via c-section have a tremendous difference in health.
      • Babies who are born vaginally are exposed to the mother’s microbiome.
      • A spray is being developed for c-section babies to help them.
    • The mission for Viome is “We want to and will make chronic illness an option.”
      • By providing information for people to make better choices.
    • Why does food and diet help get rid of chronic disease and support the microbiome?
      • Within 3-5 years, they will be able to accomplish their mission statement.
      • They need about a million people to do the research test.
      • Gut bacteria accounts for 95% of chronic illness.
    • How can the listeners help Viome’s mission?
      • Viome is measuring the RNA of the microbiome in your gut to uncover your individualized diet.
      • Some people may not tolerate certain healthy foods because some people’s gut bacteria may turn them into a toxin.
      • We need to increase our gut bacteria diversity and cause the bacteria to produce good chemicals.
      • When you know the right foods to eat, the inflammation cascades stop.
      • Weight loss isn’t totally related to calories, it’s related to inflammation.
    • How did you end up working with Naveen Jane at Viome?
      • He wanted to make sure he was open to the possibility of meeting someone, that he was present and open.
      • People pick up on it when you’re open and receptive.
      • Barrie was in China working in the microbiome space.
      • His connection at Viome called Naveen to ask about Barrie coming back to the states.
      • Naveen hired him on full-time in the states.
      • Success is secondary to doing good.
    • Do you believe that what you know or who you know is more important, and why?
      • It’s one thing to network, but if you don’t know anything it doesn’t get you very far.
      • If you know a lot and don’t network, then you don’t have any opportunity.
      • When you network, you need to know how you want to add to the value to others.

The Random Round:

• What profession other than your own do you think it would be fun to attempt?
  • Marine biology
• If you could sit on a park bench for an hour with anyone past or present, who would it be?
  • Leonardo DiVinci
  • He loves creativity and figuring out ways to express it.
• How do you like to learn best, books, blogs, podcasts or video?
  • Videos
• Give us a glimpse of your morning routine?
  • Gets up around 6
  • Short meditation
  • Yoga
  • Aerobic exercise if there’s time
  • Starts work reading
• What is your go-to pump up song:
  • Pachelbel’s Canon in D
• What are you not very good at?
  • Dancing
• Find him online:
  • Viome.com

Tweetable Quotes:

• If we can solve the problems in the gut, any form of disease can also be solved.
• If you’re a pioneer, you’re close to the edge of the cliff and disrupting stuff.
• Weight loss isn’t totally related to calories, it’s related to inflammation.

Resources Mentioned:

Buildyournetwork.com – Podcast website

BYN.media/fb – Facebook Group

Genova Diagnostics

Viome.com/byn