The DNA of Things with Dr. Jeremy Koenig
The DNA of Things," hosted by Dr. Jeremy Koenig, is an auditory journey into the evolving world of health science, performance, and longevity. This podcast brings together the sharpest minds in the field, including elite health strategists, pioneering scientists, and wellness mavericks, to share cutting-edge practices and revolutionary insights. Each episode is meticulously curated to enrich your understanding of well-being and to extend your vitality, propelling you toward a future filled with possibilities. Join Dr. Koenig as he unveils the secrets of human potential through the lens of genomics, and discover how to transform your health and life trajectory.
The DNA of Things with Dr. Jeremy Koenig
Episode 66: Feeding the Future: How the Infant Microbiome Shapes Lifelong Health with Dr. Heather Armstrong
In this episode of The DNA of Things, host Dr. Jeremy Koenig is joined by Dr. Heather Armstrong, a leading microbiome researcher and translational scientist at the University of Alberta. Together, they explore the dynamic interplay between gut microbes, nutrition, health, and performance—starting from birth and extending into peak human performance. Dr. Armstrong shares her unique academic journey, the science behind infant microbiome development, and how our daily habits—from breastfeeding to sleep—shape the ecosystems within us. Whether you're a parent, athlete, or health enthusiast, this episode offers invaluable insights on building a resilient and functional gut microbiome for lifelong vitality.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- 🧬 The gut microbiome is foundational to health, immunity, brain development, and performance.
- 👶 Early-life exposures (birth method, breastfeeding, antibiotics) shape lifelong microbiome “fingerprints.”
- 🍼 Synthetic HMOs in formula, environmental exposure, and diverse foods can help babies build microbial diversity.
- 🧠 The gut-brain axis links gut microbes to emotional well-being, cognitive function, and mental health.
- 🏋️♂️ A diverse microbiome may aid athletic recovery, decision-making speed, and injury prevention.
- 🧪 Testing microbiome function—not just composition—offers a more accurate view of gut health.
- 🌱 Whole foods, fiber diversity, lifestyle balance, and minimizing chronic stress are essential to feeding your microbes right.
- 🧑🔬 We’re still in the infancy of microbiome science—personalization and systems biology are key to unlocking its full potential.
LINKS:
https://www.drjeremykoenig.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drjeremykoenig/
https://www.youtube.com/@drjeremykoenig
Here's the link for this week's episode: https://drjeremykoenig.substack.com/.