Ep. 165: Gut Health and Food Allergies: What the Microbiome Has to Do With It
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
You have probably heard the word "microbiome", but what does it actually mean for someone living with a food allergy?
Dr. Carina Venter, a registered dietitian and professor of pediatric allergy and immunology at Children's Hospital Colorado, joins us to break down the gut’s role in food allergies. She explains what the microbiome is, how it connects to the immune system, and what families can realistically do right now to support a healthier gut.
What we cover in our episode about gut health and food allergies
What the microbiome actually is. Understanding the bacteria living in your gut, why diversity matters, and what happens when that balance gets disrupted.
The connection between gut bacteria and food allergy. Research consistently shows that children with food allergies have lower levels of two key bacteria, and that gap may affect how the immune system responds to food.
Leaky gut and ultra-processed foods. What leaky gut actually means and research on emulsifiers.
Should you be taking probiotics? Which strains have the most research behind them, what to look for on the label, and why diet diversity may matter more than any supplement.
Practical steps for families. From a diverse diet to when to use supplements.
About our Guest
Dr. Carina Venter is a registered dietitian and professor of pediatrics in the section of allergy and immunology at Children's Hospital Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. She serves as chair of the International Network of Diet and Nutrition in Allergy and has contributed to major international food allergy guidelines, including EAACI and GA2LEN, with more than 225 peer-reviewed publications on food allergy prevention, diet diversity, and the gut microbiome. Learn more at carinaventer.com.
More resources about food allergies
Podcast episode: Did I Cause My Child’s Food Allergy?
What is a food allergy?
Tips for Saving Money on Allergy-Friendly Food Shopping
More episodes on managing food allergies in teenagers
Timestamps
Our episode about the role of the gut microbiome in developing food allergies
02:45 What is the microbiome
07:45 What a healthy gut microbiome does
08:40 Leaky gut explained
11:17 Ultra-processed foods and gut health
14:38 The microbiome's role in food allergy development
17:06 How to increase good bacteria in your gut
19:42 What to look for when buying probiotics
22:01 Good fats and gut health
24:34 Why probiotics can cause bloating
25:44 How often to take probiotics
27:42 How to know if your gut microbiome is healthy
32:57 Yogurt and probiotics
