Dana Taylor

The IRS, unlike some other agencies of government, actually brings in money, right? And if you cut all of the people who audit, wealthy people and corporations, if those people lose their jobs, then a lot of money that might be recovered in audits would be lost.

The IRS, unlike some other agencies of government, actually brings in money, right? And if you cut all of the people who audit, wealthy people and corporations, if those people lose their jobs, then a lot of money that might be recovered in audits would be lost.

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Thursday, March 27, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. We eat for a variety of reasons, most importantly, to sustain life. Unsurprisingly, the decisions we make about what we consume can have a huge impact on our health. Equally important is how our bodies eliminate the waste created by what we ingest.

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Thursday, March 27, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. We eat for a variety of reasons, most importantly, to sustain life. Unsurprisingly, the decisions we make about what we consume can have a huge impact on our health. Equally important is how our bodies eliminate the waste created by what we ingest.

After all, what goes in must come out. Are there hard and fast rules about what constitutes a healthy, let's just say it, poo? Sean Gibbons, a microbiologist at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, now joins us to discuss what bowel movements, or a lack of them, reveal about our health. Thanks for joining me, Sean.

After all, what goes in must come out. Are there hard and fast rules about what constitutes a healthy, let's just say it, poo? Sean Gibbons, a microbiologist at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, now joins us to discuss what bowel movements, or a lack of them, reveal about our health. Thanks for joining me, Sean.

I think we all have an idea about what's normal for us, but how often should we be going? Is there an ideal frequency?

I think we all have an idea about what's normal for us, but how often should we be going? Is there an ideal frequency?

You conducted a study last year that gave you insights into the effects of having a regular or irregular bowel movement and that effect on our gut microbiome. First, how many people took part in the study and how were they categorized?

You conducted a study last year that gave you insights into the effects of having a regular or irregular bowel movement and that effect on our gut microbiome. First, how many people took part in the study and how were they categorized?

And what did you learn regarding frequency and our gut microbiome? Let's start with those with high level frequency.

And what did you learn regarding frequency and our gut microbiome? Let's start with those with high level frequency.

And what about those who experience low frequency?

And what about those who experience low frequency?

What are some of the underlying conditions that our bowels may be warning us about?

What are some of the underlying conditions that our bowels may be warning us about?

We've talked about frequency, but what can you share with us about the Bristol stool chart?

We've talked about frequency, but what can you share with us about the Bristol stool chart?

As you know, two people can consume the same meal and experience vastly different results. What are some of the things that impact the amount of time it takes for food to make its way through our digestive system? And why is gut transit time important?

As you know, two people can consume the same meal and experience vastly different results. What are some of the things that impact the amount of time it takes for food to make its way through our digestive system? And why is gut transit time important?