Episode Description
What if I told you that 9 out of 10 babies in America are missing key gut microbes right from the start? As a labor nurse who's delivered thousands of little ones and now a proud Gigi, this chat totally rocked my world and got me thinking about my own grandbabies' health.
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I'm thrilled to welcome Stephanie Culler, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Persephone Biosciences. Stephanie's a powerhouse scientist with a PhD in chemical engineering from Caltech, tons of patents in synthetic biology, and a passion for using the gut microbiome to fight disease. Inspired by losing her grandmothers to cancer and her own journey as a first-time mom during COVID, she pivoted from cancer research to baby gut health. She's led the largest U.S. study on infant microbiomes and created groundbreaking products to restore what modern life has stripped away from the gut.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
- Why modern babies are missing crucial bifidobacteria - and how it links to allergies, eczema, asthma, and even long-term risks like cancer.
- The shocking impact of antibiotics, C-sections, and formula on gut health, and why it's a multi-generational issue.
- Stephanie's "aha" moment that shifted her from cancer treatments to preventing issues at the source with Persephone's first-of-its-kind synbiotic.
- Signs your baby's gut needs help: fussiness, colic, constipation, diaper rash, poor sleep - and how this product can turn things around fast.
- Tips for new moms: Start from day one, even if breastfeeding (mix a smidge into colostrum or on your nipple!), and why it's great for C-section babies too.
- Bonus: How this could be a game-changer for adults and pregnant mamas, too.
More from Dr. Stephanie Culler:
Persephone's Daily Synergistic Synbiotic: https://persephone.bio/products/bloom
Visit www.persephone.bio
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @persephone.bio
Connect with Dr. Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-culler
Helpful Timestamps:
- 00:00 Meet Dr. Stephanie Culler
- 01:44 Stephanie’s Story: From Cancer Research to Babies
- 05:27 The My Baby Biome Study: The Shocking 9-in-10 Finding
- 09:26 Signs of an Off Microbiome + Benefits Seen
- 11:16 Why Start From Day One
- 15:42 Industrialization & Rising Allergies
- 20:41 Practical Tips for Breastfed Babies (No Bottle Needed)
- 23:15 C-Section Considerations + Final Takeaways for New Parents
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