ScienceHealth & FitnessMedicine

Gut Check Project

KBMD

Improve your health & quality of life, find the truth between natural and medical science. Join Ken and Co-host Eric Rieger on the GCP, and get an unfiltered approach to your health as they host guests from all over the world. Nothing is off limits. Step in and get your gut checked...Ken (Kenneth Brown, MD) is a board certified gastroenterologist that turned his private practice into a hotbed of innovation. Ken has long been intrigued on how to best care for his patients. He challenged big pharma and developed an all natural solution (Atrantil) for bloating and symptoms of IBS. That lead him to dig deeper and find more answers and uses for polyphenols. Then he began to help his patients that were suffering from inflammation, not only in their guts, but their entire bodies, including neuro/brain & immune issues. Dr. Brown has tackled serious issues with natural and proven methods that his patients love him for. But he is not finished. The Gut Check Project exists to find better answers for you in all aspects of health. Experts in all fields of study, industry, and interest will be found on the GCP. Eric (Eric Rieger, CRNA) is Ken's business partner and actually met Ken while delivering anesthesia to his patients in 2012. Eric saw first hand the passion that Ken had for his patients, his support staff, and for the answers that could improve people's lives. Eric enjoys science and research swell, and has a passion for helping people find sensible means to take care of themselves, but always armed with the best information. Join the GCP and SUBSCRIBE AND SHARE!!!!

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#169
August 24 · 33 min
The GLP-1 Side Effects You Don't Have to Have
Ask almost anyone how Ozempic works and you'll hear the same answer: it slows your stomach down. Dr. Ken Brown says that's the magician's waving hand. In this solo episode, the board-certified gastroenterologist walks through the research showing that roughly 99% of GLP-1 weight loss happens in three regions of the brain - and that the gut accounts for less than 1%. Which means the nausea, bloating, and heartburn people white-knuckle through aren't the thing making them lose weight. He maps the actual mechanism: the hypothalamus, where a misfiring hunger neuron acts like a broken fuel light telling you the tank is empty when it's full. The mesolimbic system, where dopamine explains why you find room for a Crumbl cookie after a full dinner - and why fMRI scans of that reward circuit go dark once someone starts a GLP-1. And the brainstem's area postrema, the ancient poison-detection system these drugs quietly hijack to produce fullness and nausea. Then the part he sees in clinic every week: why the pylorus tightens, why the migrating motor complex stalls, why the fundus stretches, and how that combination pools acid at the top of the stomach and pushes it into the esophagus. Plus the trial data showing most stomachs return to normal emptying by around 16 weeks, why a PPI often doesn't fix GLP-1 heartburn, and what he does instead for patients ready to quit a medication their gut can't tolerate. In this episode: - Why "it slows your stomach" is a misdirection - Your body's own GLP-1, and why these drugs act like an Amber Alert instead - The three brain regions doing 99% of the work - The broken fuel light: AgRP, POMC, and lifelong hunger - Dopamine, the dessert tray, and why this isn't willpower - The fMRI studies that made it visible - What the drugs actually do to the stomach — and the bathtub with the plug in it - Tachyphylaxis: why it improves around 16 weeks - Long-term GLP-1 use and SIBO risk - How to keep the weight loss without the gut misery Chapters: 0:00 The misdirection · 3:21 How your own GLP-1 works · 4:38 Three brain regions · 9:35 The broken fuel light · 11:08 Why you find room for the cookie · 13:11 The fMRI studies · 15:01 What happens in the stomach · 17:21 The bathtub analogy · 19:56 The trials nobody talks about · 21:31 Why 16 weeks matters · 23:29 SIBO and long-term use · 23:58 You don't have to suffer · 30:10 Bringing it together Educational content only - not medical advice. Talk to your physician about your medications. Learn more: regardingyourgut.com · kbmdhealth.com Brought to you by Atrantil Pro.
#168
August 24 · 37 min
Acid Isn't the Villain: Rethinking Reflux
One camp says your reflux is too much stomach acid. The other says it's too little. Dr. Ken Brown says both camps are arguing over the wrong control knob. In this solo episode, the board-certified gastroenterologist makes the case that reflux was never an acid problem - it's a containment problem. Acid belongs in the stomach, and the real question nobody asks is why it left in the first place. Dr. Brown walks through the mechanics: the stomach as a one-way muscular pump, the lower esophageal sphincter as a nightclub bouncer who's started letting people back out the front door, the "acid puddle" that pools when the stomach won't empty, and the inflammation cycle that weakens the valve and keeps the whole thing self-sustaining. He looks at what 37 years of proton pump inhibitors have actually delivered - eight-plus drugs, an 83% rise in documented GERD, and a side effect list that includes bone, B12, magnesium, and kidney concerns - and points out that PPIs don't improve gastric emptying, don't reduce abdominal pressure, and don't strengthen the sphincter. He also tells his own story: 30 years of reflux, a four-centimeter hiatal hernia, grade C esophagitis, every natural remedy on the shelf, and the eight-year project to build something that addressed the mechanism instead of the symptom - the four-polyphenol Re:Flux formula and the clinical trial behind it, recently published in the Open Journal of Gastroenterology. In this episode: - Why the "too much vs. too little acid" debate misses the mechanism - How your stomach actually works as a one-way cycling pump - Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations, explained without the jargon - The acid puddle, and why gastric sleeve and GLP-1 patients get it - What stomach acid is genuinely for (B12, minerals, pathogen defense) - The three questions to ask instead of "how much acid?" - What PPIs do well, and what they were never designed to do - The HAND polyphenols and the trial results Chapters: 0:00 The wrong debate · 2:45 Two camps · 4:15 37 years of PPIs · 7:48 The one-way pump · 12:39 The acid puddle · 14:18 Why the valve opens · 17:15 Why you need acid · 18:59 Three better questions · 21:08 What PPIs can't do · 23:07 Dr. Brown's own 30 years · 26:20 Building the formula · 28:40 Trial results · 33:45 Acid is not the villain Educational content only - not medical advice. Never stop a prescription medication without talking to your physician first. Learn more: regardingyourgut.com · kbmdhealth.com · @kbmdhealth Brought to you by Atrantil Pro.
#167
June 3 · 29 min
The Ozempic Side Effect Nobody's Talking About
Losing weight on Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro but feeling bloated, constipated, and miserable? There's a reason, and a new Mayo Clinic study finally proves it. 76% of patients on GLP-1s tested positive for SIBO. 91% had methane overgrowth. Dr. Kenneth Brown breaks down why these drugs turn your small intestine into a swamp, why your microbiome decides if the drug even works, and the exact protocol to fix it without quitting the medication. If you're on a GLP-1 or thinking about it, watch this first.
#166
May 14 · 48 min
A Tick Bite Made This ER Doctor Allergic to Meat And You Might Have It Too (Alpha-Gal Syndrome)
You could be waking up at 3am with severe stomach pain, hives, or worse, and your doctor might have no idea why. In this episode of the Gut Check Project, Dr. Kenneth Brown and Eric Rieger break down one of the most under-diagnosed conditions in America: Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), a red meat allergy triggered not by the meat itself, but by a single tick bite. They're joined by Brian Allgaier, MD, a board-certified ER physician from East Texas who has AGS himself. He shares a firsthand account of how three tick bites quietly rewired his immune system and what happened the night his mother-in-law's beef stew sent him into the worst pain of his life. If you spend any time outdoors east of the Rockies, this episode could change how you think about your gut symptoms forever. Topics covered: What alpha-gal syndrome actually is and why it's the only known sugar allergen. Why your blood type determines your risk (type B? You're probably safe). The Lone Star tick larvae you can't see that can still bite you. Why AGS is likely behind thousands of mystery GI cases going undiagnosed. Hidden sources of alpha-gal including porcine heart valves, Armour Thyroid, and pancreatic enzymes. Emerging treatments including acupuncture protocols and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The shocking 12.8x increased risk of coronary artery disease linked to AGS. Links: https://nypost.com/2019/07/17/house-orders-pentagon-to-reveal-if-it-turned-ticks-into-biological-weapons/ https://open.spotify.com/episode/4f9iRFDkG3K0sWy3VFHkfS?si=S6MGpLixTL6_xfYOXa9V2Q&nd=1&dlsi=49dcec44be6842b9 https://academic.oup.com/ofid/article/12/8/ofaf430/8209804?login=false https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8729907/ https://vetmed.illinois.edu/i-tick/wp-content/uploads/sites/69/2019/06/Steinke-et-al.-2015.pdf https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/ATVBAHA.121.316878
#165
April 21 · 42 min
Bloating Isn't Normal...It's a Signal
You bloat every day. You unbutton your pants after meals. You've been told it's "just IBS," just stress, just part of getting older - and you've been suffering for years. Here's the truth: bloating isn't normal. It's a signal. In this episode, Dr. Kenneth Brown breaks down why up to 80% of people diagnosed with IBS may actually have something else entirely - small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) - and why gastroenterology has been getting this wrong for decades. You'll learn where gas actually comes from, the three conditions driving chronic bloating (IBS, SIBO, and functional constipation), the surprising link between food poisoning and lifelong gut issues, and why proton pump inhibitors may be making it worse. Plus: the real problem with the low-FODMAP diet, why most SIBO treatment fails, how bloating-driven inflammation may be fueling dementia, and the natural and pharmaceutical protocols Dr. Brown uses to actually fix it - including the polyphenol research behind Atrantíl. If you've been told your symptoms are "in your head," this episode is the one to share. All health begins and ends in the gut.
#164
April 6 · 1 hr 29 min
A Colorectal Surgeon Tells All
You’re not supposed to talk about this stuff… So we did. In this episode, we sit down with one of the top colorectal surgeons in the country and nothing is off limits. We cover: How your body actually knows the difference between gas and disaster Why so many people are struggling to go to the bathroom (and doing it wrong) The real reason hemorrhoids are exploding in younger people The uncomfortable truth about habits no one wants to admit What doctors are seeing WAY more of right now… including cancer And yeah… we also went into the stories doctors usually only tell at dinner parties. But underneath the humor is something serious: 👉 Colon cancer is rising. 👉 Younger patients are being diagnosed more than ever. 👉 And most people are ignoring the signs. This episode will make you laugh… …and then make you think twice about your health. Share this with someone who “doesn’t like talking about this stuff.” They probably need it the most.
#163
April 1 · 42 min
Millions Have This Gut Disorder...and Doctors Miss It Every Day
What if your “IBS” diagnosis isn’t the truth… just a placeholder? In this episode, Dr. Ken Brown breaks down a massively overlooked condition that could be behind chronic diarrhea, urgency, and gut dysfunction - bile acid malabsorption (BAM). It affects millions of people, rivals conditions like celiac disease in prevalence, and yet… almost no one is testing for it. You’ll learn: Why IBS is often a “trash can diagnosis” The real mechanism behind BAM (and why your body is working against you) How your gut’s “recycling system” can fail—and what happens when it does The 3 types of BAM (and which one most people fall into) Why traditional testing often misses it completely The simple, effective treatments that can change everything If you’ve been told “everything looks normal”… but you know something isn’t right - this episode might finally give you answers. 👉 Because sometimes, it’s not your gut that’s the problem… …it’s the diagnosis.
#162
March 9 · 53 min
Your Doctor Is Wrong About Cholesterol (And Here's the Proof)
What if everything your doctor told you about cholesterol is based on corrupted science? In this episode of the Gut Check Project, Dr. Kenneth Brown and Eric Rieger dive deep into the emerging world of Lean Mass Hyper Responders (LMHR) - metabolically healthy people on ketogenic and carnivore diets whose LDL numbers look alarming on paper but may tell a completely different story in real life. They break down a groundbreaking citizen-science study led by Dave Feldman and Dr. Nick Noritz that's challenging decades of lipid orthodoxy, explore why high LDL + high HDL + low triglycerides may not be the death sentence mainstream medicine makes it out to be, and share the story of a 53-year-old marathon runner with "normal" cholesterol who still ended up in the cath lab. If you or someone you love has been told to go on statins, this episode is required listening. Topics covered: The LMHR phenotype and what it means for keto/carnivore dieters Why Ansel Keys and the sugar industry shaped a generation of bad dietary advice Plaque progression, inflammatory markers (hs-CRP), and what actually predicts heart disease Why the Clearly AI cardiac scan study raised more questions than answers The difference between dangerous cholesterol and protective cholesterol
#161
February 9 · 54 min
The Brain Hack That Delays Dementia
What if the most powerful tool to delay dementia isn’t a drug, a supplement, or even your diet… but a language? In this episode of The Gut Check Project, board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Ken Brown is joined by a special guest co-host his son Lucas Brown, a Division I athlete and aerospace engineering student for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most overlooked brain-health strategies we have. Together, they unpack the surprising neuroscience behind bilingualism and multilingualism and why learning (and using) another language can delay the symptoms of dementia by 4–5 years. Not prevent it. Delay it. And those extra years? They’re years of driving, independence, conversations, memories, and time with the people you love. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why speaking two languages can help your brain function longer even when dementia pathology is already present The concept of “cognitive reserve” and how multilingual brains literally reroute around damage The critical 13–30 age window for laying down powerful neural networks and why it’s never too late to start Why effort matters more than fluency (yes, even “bad” French or Spanish counts) How adding a third language may provide even greater protection Why language learning outperforms brain games, puzzles, and passive mental exercises Dr. Brown explains the “linguistic paradox of dementia” how two people can have nearly identical brain scans, yet one is living independently while the other requires full-time care… simply because one speaks multiple languages. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about mental agility. It’s about keeping the brain flexible. And it’s about stacking the odds in your favor starting today. If you care about your long-term brain health, your independence, or your future self… this may be one of the most important episodes you’ll ever listen to. 🎧 Listen now and consider this your sign to start learning (or practicing) another language.
#160
Dec 28, 2025 · 56 min
No Days Off: Competing at the Edge of Mind and Body
A Division I tennis player. An aerospace engineering major. One schedule. Zero margin for error. Dr. Ken Brown sits down with his son, Lucas Brown, to talk about what it’s really like to compete at a top NCAA program while taking on one of the hardest majors in college. From pressure and fatigue to mindset, discipline, and why performance isn’t just physical, this episode goes beyond sports and grades into what it actually takes to operate at a high level every day. No hype. No clichés. Just a real look at ambition, balance, and learning how to stay composed when everything is demanding your attention at once.
#159
Jun 18, 2025 · 59 min
The New Fix for Chronic Pain with Dr. Arrash Kirkland
When pain won’t quit, you don’t just manage it—you heal it. In this episode of The Gut Check Project, Dr. Arrash Kirkland—board-certified physiatrist, founder of Nobility Pain Management, and partner with LifeGenix Institute—joins Dr. Ken Brown and Eric Rieger to share how regenerative medicine is changing the way we treat chronic pain. From PRP and stem cell therapy to groundbreaking Discseel procedures, Dr. Kirkland breaks down how patients are skipping surgery, healing faster, and getting back to life. If you’ve been told pain is something you just have to live with—this episode will prove otherwise. https://lifegenix.com/ https://nobilitypain.com/arrash-kirkland-md/ MENTION THIS EPISODE at LIFEGENIX AND RECEIVE $200 OFF YOUR INITIAL FULL BODY ASSESSMENT THROUGH THE NEXT 30 DAYS!
#158
May 22, 2025 · 46 min
Hydrogen Water: Miracle Molecule or Biohacking BS?
Is hydrogen water just another overhyped health trend—or is it a legit biohack with real science behind it? In this episode, Dr. Ken Brown dives deep into the bubbling buzz around hydrogen-rich water, sparked by health influencer Gary Brecka’s bold claims on Joe Rogan. Skeptical co-host Eric Rieger gets pulled into Ken’s science rabbit hole as they explore the actual clinical studies behind hydrogen water—from improving metabolic health and exercise recovery to boosting brain function and telomere length. Along the way, they break down how hydrogen water is made, why tablets might be better than machines, and what this means for aging, inflammation, and gut health. It’s science, it’s skepticism, it’s a couple of bros drinking nanobubbles in the name of longevity. Tune in and decide for yourself: hype or hope?
#157
Apr 25, 2025 · 39 min
Hair Loss—The Hidden Trade-Offs
Think hair loss has nothing to do with gut health? Think again. In this off-the-cuff, insight-packed episode, Dr. Ken Brown and co-host Eric Rieger dive deep (and hilariously) into the world of male pattern baldness, Propecia, and the surprising role of hormones, enzymes, and even heavy metals in hair health. 🧠 They unpack: Why blocking DHT might solve one problem but create five more What COVID ICU patients and baldness have in common How stress, sleep, and mouth breathing sabotage your hairline Natural (and weirdly effective) alternatives like scalp rolling, rosemary oil, and even pumpkin seed oil The wild rabbit holes of enzyme functions, erectile dysfunction, and heavy metal toxicity And the million-dollar question: Can you keep your hair and your manhood? If you’re worried about your hair, your hormones, or your health overall—this episode is a must. Smart, unexpected, and full of laugh-out-loud moments, it’s The Gut Check Project at its best. 💥 Listen now and rethink what’s really behind that receding hairline.
#156
Apr 12, 2025 · 41 min
Microdosing Ozempic? The GLP-1 Comeback You Didn’t See Coming
The boys are back—new (temporary) studio, same no-BS approach. Dr. Ken Brown and Eric Rieger dive deep into the unexpected resurgence of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy—this time, with a controversial twist: microdosing. Is less actually more? Can tiny doses of these peptides do more than just shed pounds? Think anxiety relief, autoimmune improvement, and possibly ditching antidepressants altogether. 🤯 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the original weight-loss hype may have missed the mark The shocking mental health benefits patients are reporting How the gut-brain axis could be the key to mood, metabolism & more The dark side of big doses: muscle loss, acid reflux, thyroid risks, and sky-high costs Why doctors are thinking outside the FDA box—and what it could mean for you Whether you’ve tried these meds, are skeptical, or are just here for the banter, this episode blends science, sarcasm, and some serious truth bombs. 🎧 Tap play. This one’s for anyone who’s tired of one-size-fits-all medicine and wants to explore the future of gut-driven wellness.
#155
Feb 20, 2025 · 51 min
THE MOOD FOOD MD, DR. UMA NAIDOO
Dr. Naidoo founded and directs the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the United States. She is the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & Director of Nutritional Psychiatry at MGH Academy while serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. She is considered Harvard University's Mood Food Expert and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. Dr. Naidoo is also the national bestselling author of This Is Your Brain on Food. Modern science reveals the critical connection between our gut microbiome and brain function. In This Is Your Brain on Food, Uma Naidoo explains how the bacteria in our digestive system interact with the brain, influencing mental health, emotions, cognitive abilities, and overall well-being. From managing anxiety and depression to combating PTSD and improving neuroplasticity, Naidoo explores how tailored dietary strategies, specific nutrients, and beneficial microbes can positively shape the gut-brain connection. Join Ken & Eric as they Host Dr. Naidoo and discuss the challenges and potential solutions to battling emotional and behavioral issues with appropriate nutrition. https://umanaidoomd.com/
#154
Jan 14, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min
Steven McWilliams - Forensic Neuroscience, Psychopaths, & The Morgue
Forensic neuroscience is no everyday topic. But it could bring us all everyday lessons on how to interpret our surroundings and personal encounters. Steven McWilliams is a professor at University of Texas Dallas, and there he teaches both graduates and undergraduates the intricacies of the mind, especially those impaired by social disorder. Steven has built a foundation of knowledge from working in a very busy Dallas County morgue to studying neuroscience creating a career of identifying troubled minds so that disaster can be avoided. Joins us on the GCP and hear our first I of many conversations with Steven today!
#153
Dec 3, 2024 · 1 hr 33 min
Crohn’s Colitis - Dane Johnson
Do you or a loved one suffer from IBD such as Crohn’s or Colitis? The world does not have to change for the worse! Get in here and meet Dane Johnson, founder of Crohn’s Colitis Lifestyle, and END the suffering. Dane is the founder of CrohnsColitisLifestyle inspired by his life-threatening battle with Crohn’s/Colitis, which he reversed using natural practice. As a Board Certified Nutritionist and one of the most successful Crohn’s/Colitis coaches in the world, he has helped thousands around the world find their unique answer to IBD while building a community of supporters, doctors and healers! He brings the receipts! Even if you only hear the intro to this episode, you have to check out his page: https://crohnscolitislifestyle.com/testimonials/ Join Ken and Eric as they learn about the path Dane forged to take control of his life.
#152
Nov 7, 2024 · 1 hr 31 min
Nawaz Ahmed, PHD METAVO
Dr. Ahmed is the Director of Research and Operations for METAVO Metavo is a first of its kind high concentration of AvoB, the natural compound found in avocados which restores and promotes true metabolic health. With a doctoral degree in Food Science from the University of Guelph, Dr. Ahmed has emerged as a trailblazer in the field of metabolic health and nutritional biochemistry. He hit the scene with a groundbreaking doctoral thesis titled "Clinical Development of Avocado-Derived Lipids as Modulators of Fatty Acid Oxidation for the Treatment and Management of Metabolic Disorders." This seminal work laid the foundation for the development of innovative solutions that form the core of Metavo’s product offerings. Currently serving as the Director of Research at SP Nutraceuticals, Dr. Ahmed has been pivotal in the product development and successful launch of Metavo, the flagship natural health product that leverages the benefits of avocado for metabolic well-being. TNoteworthy is Dr. Ahmed’s role as the study director for the first-in-human clinical trial of Metavo and his current role in conducting further clinical research on Metavo. Join Ken and Eric on the GCP as they learn from Dr. Ahmed all bout the natural ways to boost metabolic health with METAVO! https://www.metavo.com/
#151
Oct 9, 2024 · 1 hr 18 min
Dr. Austin Wendell - Naviwell
The game has changed! The days of health insurance only paying for diseases that exist while ignoring the prevention of those diseases are over. You can now use your health insurance plan and gain access to serious dietary planning, fitness coaching, training, stress relief and more, and Dr. Austin Wendell can show you how with Naviwell. NaviWell is a revolutionary lifestyle medicine program that is implemented into medical practices across the country with a purpose of educating patients on living a healthier lifestyle and supporting physicians through improving quality of care in their office. The NaviWell vision is navigating physicians and patients to create, educate, and expand an enhanced quality of care through the implementation of proactive strategies of health and wellness utilizing lifestyle medicine techniques. NaviWell is an innovative online and web based medical wellness company that specializes in lifestyle medicine. We exist to be the leader in lifestyle medicine services to help physicians and patients achieve highest level of quality care utilizing attainable preventative and proactive approaches. Join us today and learn how to better make your insurance work for you! https://www.naviwellgroup.com/
#150
Aug 28, 2024 · 1 hr
2024, Voting for Better Food and Better Health
Our tax dollars should not be used to create food sources engineered to make us sicker in exchange for enriching a select few industries. But that is what is happening. So how does this play into what RFK Jr. (Robert Kennedy, Jr.) has planned for the country? Why has he suspended his campaign to surprisingly join forces with President Trump? How serious is the threat of a growing chronic disease epidemic for future generations? Ken & Eric take the latest news of RFK’s announcement and describe what they believe can be affected in this latest episode! Full Clips for reference: RFK Jr Statement https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=VxNAdilyqow RFK Jr at Donald Trump Rally https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR3fuaKrEwU Casey Means, MD & Calley Means with Tucker Carlson https://tuckercarlson.com/tucker-show-casey-calley-means

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