About
Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner – Nutrition World) & Clint Powell
A variety of topics all related to living a healthy life
Presented by: Nutrition World
www.nutritionw.com
Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio
www.noogadentistry.com
Production of: Whitfield Media Group
www.vitalhealthradio.com
Title: Breakthrough Treatments for C Diff with Guest Dr. Oscar, Kiwi for Bowel Regularity with Julia from Enzymedica
[0:00:00] Opening, Banter, and Announcements
Ed plugs an upcoming podcast episode on heartburn with Julia from Enzymedica, explaining simple steps to get off PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) safely.
MMA fighter sponsor shout‑out
Discussion of Chance, an 8–0 MMA fighter who works at Nutrition World’s warehouse.
Upcoming fight at Camp Jordan in July; Nutrition World is a sponsor.
Ed describes Tallow House in Cleveland:
Burgers cooked in tallow
Sourdough buns, high-quality ingredients
Comparison to seed oils, stating tallow is preferable, though any fat can be overdone.
Setup for today’s show / guests
Dr. Oscar – discussing a “revolutionary” next‑generation probiotic based on a super donor / fecal transplant science.
Julia from Enzymedica – discussing constipation and digestive enzymes.
[0:08:56] Gut Microbiome & Origin of the MET Probiotic
Ed reiterates the show’s philosophy: better aging means adding strength, clarity, mobility, and energy to existing years.
Emphasizes his longstanding passion for the gut microbiome and how cluttered/confusing that field is.
Ed welcomes Dr. Oscar and frames the topic as a truly unique/probably revolutionary probiotic advance.
Personal story: Ed’s father died from C. diff about 20 years ago.
C. diff often triggered by antibiotics, then treated with more antibiotics → vicious cycle.
Ed wanted to give probiotics/Saccharomyces boulardii; doctor was lukewarm but allowed it.
How the product started (C. diff & FMT) – Dr. Oscar
Traditional fecal microbiota transplants (FMT):
Helpful for C. diff, but risky for immunocompromised patients.
Concerns: pathogens, genetic material, and “yuckiness.”
Microbial Ecosystem Therapeutics (MET)
A company developed an alternative: MET, using a single “super donor”.
Process:
Select a rigorously screened donor with a healthy microbiome, no gut issues.
Extract unique anaerobic bacteria.
Use lyophilization (freeze-drying) to remove the fecal material and problematic components, leaving a purified community of bacteria.
Result: a blister‑pack capsule containing live anaerobic strains that can engraft in the gut.
C. diff trials and efficacy
Comparative trials (MET-1 / MET-2) vs. fecal transplants for C. diff:
MET formulations performed as well or better than FMT in some outcomes.
One MET‑based product has already been used specifically for C. diff.
Transition to functional / preventive use
The MET company partnered with Designs for Health and Guelph University (Ontario).
After years of research and clinical work, they created a five‑strain formulation used in the Designs for Health product.
Claim: these five strains regulate roughly 85% of metabolic and immune functions influenced by gut bacteria.
[0:14:47] How this Probiotic Differs from Traditional Probiotics
Ed underscores:
Thousands screened to identify an optimal super donor with best diversity.
Human‑sourced strains → high compatibility with human physiology.
Wants clarification on aerobic vs. anaerobic differences and why they matter.
Traditional probiotics vs MET strains – Dr. Oscar
Traditional probiotics:
Often from exogenous sources (fermented dairy, industrial fermentation, etc.).
Usually Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium etc.
They are generally transient:
Work while you take them.
Poor ability to engraft and persist once discontinued because they’re not native to the host.
Still useful (like eating salad: benefits only while you keep consuming them).
Human‑derived MET strains:
Sourced from a human donor, recognized by the body as “self‑like.”
Have co‑evolved with humans over long timeframes.
Function as an “accessory organ system”:
E.g., certain strains stimulate the production of new cells.
Specific strain examples
Akkermansia:
Consumes mucin in the gut lining.
Produces metabolites that activate stem cells and progenitor cells, leading to new cell formation in the gut.
Other strains have specialized roles:
Ferment food.
Create an anaerobic environment.
Modulate immune responses.
Oxygen & anaerobes, “crowding out” pathogens
Healthy human colon = low‑oxygen (anaerobic) environment.
Certain beneficial strains (e.g., Roseburia) help remove oxygen:
They create conditions where anaerobic commensals thrive.
Pathogens and opportunistic bacteria that prefer oxygen are crowded out, not killed with antibiotics.
Clinical observations:
Pre‑ and post‑testing show reductions in overgrowth bacteria when taking this formulation.
This suggests a “crowding out” approach vs. broad‑spectrum microbial killing.
Terrain theory & engraftment duration
Ed references terrain theory (Antoine Béchamp): improve the internal environment to resist disease.
Engraftment data:
Early engraftment seen in ~2 weeks.
MET C. diff studies showed strains persisting up to 6 months.
Key dependency: diet and “fertilizing” the microbiome.
Good fiber, colorful plant foods, polyphenols → support long‑term survival.
Threats: alcohol, glyphosate, long‑term antibiotics, stomach acid meds, narrow macro diets (strict keto, carnivore, low‑FODMAP) without adequate diversity.
Solutions for narrow diets: add prebiotic fibers, greens/reds powders.
Dosage & synergistic use with other probiotics
Ed confirms he’s taking one capsule per day of the Designs for Health product labeled “Next Generation Multi‑Strain Probiotic” and tolerating it well.
Dr. Oscar: One cap is enough
Emphasis on quality of the seed, not quantity (CFU count).
High‑quality engrafting strains self‑propagate as long as diet supports them.
Synergy with other probiotics:
Example: Lactobacillus produces lactate, which serves as a food source for some MET strains.
Hypothesis: traditional probiotics may have better persistence and function when the MET strains are present.
Ed notes:
Very high‑strain blends (20+ strains) may have unknown “infighting.”
In contrast, a single donor community has already proven internal compatibility.
Where to learn more
Designs for Health website: designsforhealth.com
Search “Complete Commensal” for patient education materials.
Note: two of the strains have never before been available in commercial probiotics due to encapsulation challenges with strict anaerobes; newer technology solved this.
[0:33:14] Constipation, Enzymes, Kiwi Regularity (with Julia from Enzymedica)
Introducing Julia with Enzymedica
Julia is a long‑time educator (20+ years) in the natural health industry.
Ed compares clinical experience in natural health to a physician needing years of patient contact beyond textbooks.
Julia: First-line advice – don’t rely on stimulant laxatives
Avoid over‑the‑counter stimulant laxatives except in rare, urgent situations.
Chronic use irritates the bowel and makes it dependent, reducing natural motility.
Foundational step: chew your food & nervous system calm
Proper chewing:
Activates salivary amylase and lipase (carb and fat‑digesting enzymes).
Signals stomach acid secretion and subsequent digestive steps.
Ed notes:
Most people eat while on their phones, in a rushed state.
He tries to pause for ~1 minute before eating to reset.
Good digestion starts even with thought and sight of food.
Why constipation happens & normal frequency
Normal bowel frequency:
At least once daily, ideally 2–3 times/day.
Some people report going only once a week, which is problematic.
If food is not broken down properly:
The body delays gastric emptying and slows peristalsis.
Leads to constipation, gas, and bloating.
Digestive enzymes:
Help break food down.
Improve signal timing for stomach emptying and intestinal motility.
Provide relatively rapid symptom relief (gas, bloating, heavy stomach).
Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying
Can manifest as:
Heaviness (“rocks in my stomach”).
Minimal or absent bowel movements.
Bloating, gas, occasional heartburn, and nausea.
GLP‑1 drugs (e.g., Ozempic and similar):
Work partly by slowing gastric emptying.
Can exacerbate pre‑existing motility issues.
Digestive enzymes are compatible and can help.
Enzyme basics & age
Humans make tens of thousands of enzymes, but production declines with age.
This explains why people often say:
“I used to be able to eat X, and now I can’t.”
Gut–brain link & psychological burden
Many neurotransmitters (or their precursors) are made/processed in the gut:
Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, etc.
Poor gut function → can influence mood, sleep, appetite, social drive.
Constipation/diarrhea leads to stress, anxiety, fear of leaving home (e.g., unpredictable loose stools).
Kiwi Regularity: a non‑stimulant “regulating” approach
Product: Enzymedica Kiwi Regularity (chewable).
Based on a concentrated kiwi extract, not a harsh laxative.
Works in both directions:
Helps people who can’t go (constipation).
Helps bind loose stools (diarrhea/urgency).
Gently supports motility and microbiome over time.
Miralax concerns
Ed and Julia criticize chronic use of Miralax:
Widely prescribed, even for children.
Kiwi Regularity:
Gentle, non‑addictive, appropriate for:
Children.
Pregnant women (though labeling can’t state it due to regulations).
Works long‑term and supports microbiome.
Shown in 4‑week studies to:
Increase commensal Bifidobacteria.
Support Akkermansia and butyrate production.
Butyrate nourishes colon cells and supports gut barrier.
[0:43:01] Practical Enzyme Use, Histamine, and Product Recommendations
Industrial vs human‑oriented enzymes
Many enzymes on the market were originally developed for industrial uses.
Enzymedica (since 1998) focused specifically on human digestive enzymes and research.
Emergency backup vs daily habits
Ed shares a travel anecdote:
Severe constipation scenario solved with a Fleet enema while out of town.
Enemas are non‑addictive, suitable for rare emergencies.
Emphasizes hydration and magnesium:
Magnesium (especially certain forms) helps pull water into the bowel.
Regular use of magnesium oxide solely as a laxative is not ideal; better to use more balanced forms (e.g., magnesium glycinate).
Most people over ~30 benefit from enzymes
Declining enzyme production with age + modern diet → strong case for broad digestive enzyme support.
Histamine & DAO enzymes
Enzyme DAO (diamine oxidase) can help break down histamine from food.
It’s typically porcine‑sourced.
Crucial caveat:
Must pair with a low‑histamine diet; enzymes alone won’t fully overcome high‑histamine intake.
Gluten‑digesting enzymes limits
Gluten enzyme products can help with cross‑contamination or minor slip‑ups.
They are not a license to eat full gluten-rich meals (like a whole pizza) with impunity.
Which Enzymedica product for the “average American diet”?
For “standard” American eating patterns (larger, richer, mixed meals):
Digest Gold:
Enzymedica’s most potent formula.
Suited for heavy or complex meals, people early in their digestive-health journey.
For somewhat cleaner / smaller meals:
Digest Complete:
Slightly smaller capsule, still potent.
Good for those who have already improved diet somewhat.
Enzymedica’s research shows digestive enzymes also support microbiome health, not just symptom relief.
In the broader health context, Both Julia and Ed highlight:
Modern environmental and lifestyle burdens (glyphosate, EMFs, etc.).
Need for foundational supports: enzymes, probiotics, microbiome‑friendly diet.
Where to learn more
Website: enzymedica.com
Contains educational articles, research summaries, and product info.
Ed notes Enzymedica has extensively trained Nutrition World staff on enzymes, heartburn, slow/fast transit, etc.
[0:55:36] Final Segment
Ed references a study:
A single course of antibiotics can alter gut microbiome for years, affecting digestion, immunity, and metabolic health.
Most recover within first two years post‑antibiotics, but not fully without support.
Reaffirms importance of probiotics and enzymes on the “first page” of gut health tools.
Balanced view on medicine
Acknowledge a time and place for antibiotics and conventional care (e.g., pneumonia, UTIs).
Stress avoiding reflexive decisions based on fear; consider pros/cons, then act.
The post Radio Show / Podcast – June 28, 2026 first appeared on Vital Health Radio.