Sandra and Wagdy are back with another episode, this time joined by Dr Jason Hawrelak all the way from Australia, to unpack the confusing world of probiotics: what they are, when they’re useful, and how to separate real evidence from clever marketing. This episode covers:

• Probiotics 101: what probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics actually are, why they all matter, and whether everyone really needs a probiotic supplement.
• Strain-specific science: which probiotic strains have evidence for IBS, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, mood support, and more plus the biggest myths Jason wants people to stop believing.
• Women’s health and probiotics: what we know (and don’t yet know)
• Prebiotics explained: why prebiotics often have a bigger impact on the microbiome than probiotics themselves and much more!

This was a practical, myth-busting conversation to help you choose probiotics with confidence and understand when they’re worth it, and when they’re not.

About Dr. Jason Hawrelak

Dr Jason Hawrelak is a researcher, educator, Western herbalist, and naturopathic physician with 25 years’ clinical experience. He did his PhD examining the capacity of probiotics, prebiotics and herbal medicines to modify the gastrointestinal tract microbiota and teaches worldwide on the topics of microbiota modification, clinical application of probiotics and prebiotics, and gut health. He has published extensively in these areas, including 20 textbook chapters. Dr Hawrelak is on the Medical Nutrition Council of the American Society for Nutrition and is a Fellow of both the American College of Nutrition and the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia. Dr Hawrelak maintains a busy telehealth clinical practice as lead clinician in the Hawrelak Gut and Microbiome Clinic.

Dr Hawrelak is Chief Research Officer at ProbioticAdvisor.com, which offers a searchable database that enables easy, evidence-based prescribing of probiotic products. He also established, and is Lead Educator at the Microbiome Restoration Center, an online educational centre devoted to training health professionals to become microbiome clinicians, through his key courses – Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Approaches to Gastrointestinal Disorders and Advanced Microbiome Manipulation.

Connect with Dr. Hawrelak:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Website and The Course

Disclaimer: This podcast is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised medical advice. The content shared is for educational purposes only.

In this solo mini-episode, Sandra breaks down what food intolerance really is, why most tests are a waste of money, and how proper diagnosis works. This episode covers:

• Allergy vs intolerance: why mixing them up leads to confusion and why IgG “intolerance tests” are a scam.
• The main types of intolerances: enzymatic (like lactose), food chemical sensitivities, and FODMAP-related symptoms.
• How diagnosis really happens
• Where to start & who to see

Food intolerance isn’t a quick test. It’s a structured process best done with expert guidance to avoid unnecessary restriction, fear of food, and malnutrition. With the right support, you can get clarity without the chaos.

If you’re suspecting a food intolerance, connect with a Nutrition A-Z specialist today here.

Connect with your hosts on Instagram

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail

Sandra and Wagdy are back with another season and in this episode, they break down the awkward but common world of haemorrhoids: what they actually are, why they happen, and when bleeding isn’t “just haemorrhoids.” This episode covers:

• What haemorrhoids actually are and why they’re normal structures (not a disease), plus the most common causes and risk factors.
• Key symptoms vs. red flags , when bleeding is typical, and when it signals something more serious.
• Management 101: Sandra’s 6 step tool kit including fibre, fluids, toilet habits, OTC options, and when doctors escalate to banding, injections, or surgery.

It’s time to drop the embarrassment. Haemorrhoids are common, treatable, and nothing to hide. The more we talk about them, the faster people get the help they need.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not meant to be used, nor should it be used, to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician or healthcare provider. The podcast is for education purposes only and it is advised that you exercise your own judgement before using the information provided. Always consult your healthcare team for medical advice before taking any action.

Connect with your hosts on Instagram

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail

For more information visit nutritition-az.com

A resource mentioned in this episode is Sandra’s book: The Gut Chronicles: An uncensored journey into the world of digestive health and illness.

This was another popular episode looking at fertility from within.

Stefanie Valakas joined Sandra to uncover the gut-fertility connection better. Stefanie and Sandra covered three main areas looking at the relationship between the gut microbiome and fertility, nutrition for reproductive health as well as the gut-hormone connection. This episode covered:

• How the gut microbiome impacts reproductive health including specific bacteria in the gut that are particularly beneficial or detrimental to fertility
• Key nutrients to focus on if you’re trying to conceive, two of which may not be on your radar
• How do conditions such as PCOS or Endometriosis impact digestive health and vice versa
• Stefanie’s supplementation strategy and much more!

Stefanie is a wealth of information and her passion for nutrition in this space is really echoed in this episode.

About Stefanie Valakas:

Stefanie Valakas APD is an expert certified fertility and pregnancy dietitian & nutritionist and founder of The Dietologist and cofounder of arxi . Stefanie and her team of fertility & pregnancy dietitians are dedicated to excellence in nutrition for reproductive health concerns, fertility & pregnancy. Her passion for nutrition in this space has truly grown from her experience helping her clients online from around the world and also through her own personal experiences of navigating a diagnosis of endometriosis.

The Dietologist has been awarded multiple awards for their excellence in nutrition care and Best Pregnancy & Fertility Nutrition Clinic in 2022, Quality in Primary Care Award by Dietitians Australia 2022. Stefanie has also been recognised for her contributions in the fertility nutrition arena as a finalist for the Dietitian of the Year Awards for 2020-21 & 2023, Impact & Innovation Finalist 2022, Allied Health Educator Excellence 2023 by the Allied Health Awards.

Stefanie also hosts the popular fertility health podcast, Fertility Friendly Food. Stefanie truly believes every hopeful parent should have access to scientifically-backed nutrition information to prepare their body prior to conception, support them through fertility treatments, pregnancy and ultimately bringing home a healthy and happy baby.

Connect with Stefanie:
thedietologist.com.au
Instagram
TikTok: @the_dietologist

Misinformation around ‘leaky gut’ continues to rage so this episode will never get old!

If you’ve struggled with your gut then you would’ve come across the term “leaky gut” or may have even been diagnosed with it at some point. Leaky gut syndrome has gained significant attention in recent years, with claims that it may be the root cause of a wide range of health issues, from digestive problems to autoimmune diseases and even mental health conditions. But what exactly is leaky gut, and is it a valid medical diagnosis?

In this episode, Sandra is joined by gastroenterology specialist dietitian, Kirsten Jackson, where they chatted about all things leaky! They discussed why this term has gained attention in alternative and complementary medicine communities, but its recognition and acceptance within the conventional medical community are somewhat divided. What is our intestinal barrier? Are the tests to diagnose leaky gut even valid? If it’s not leaky gut then what? Sandra and Kirsten answered the most frequently asked questions about leaky gut syndrome and how they managed their own clients suspecting it.

About Kirsten Jackson
Kirsten Jackson BSc Hons PGCert is a UK consultant dietitian specialising in gut health and the author of ‘Take Control of your IBS’. Kirsten graduated from The University of Hertfordshire in 2012 before joining the UK national health service where she specialised in gastroenterology. She later went on to complete her post-graduate certificate in Advanced Dietetics at The University of Nottingham. In 2018 Kirsten moved to the UAE as the lead dietitian for Kings College Hospital in Dubai. In this role she was part of the team which developed and opened the first British healthcare facility in the Middle East. Kirsten now runs an online IBS clinic called The Food Treatment Clinic to help those who suffer with the condition. Outside of clinical work, Kirsten is an official media spokesperson for The British Dietetic Association where she has worked on TV and with media outlets such as Cosmopolitan and The Guardian. She is also an expert advisor for the charity, The IBS Network.

Connect with Kirsten:
www.thefoodtreatmentclinic.com
Instagram
Get the book: Take Control of Your IBS

This episode was a popular one!

Bloating is one of the most common digestive complaints in people of all ages and despite being one of the most frequent and bothersome complaints, we still don’t fully understand the exact cause of bloating since it’s not that straight forward! In Sandra’s solo episode, she offered a snapshot into the world of bloat, what is normal and goes through the 2 most common causes of bloating.

As a gut-health dietitian, she focuses on the dietary approaches of managing the uncomfortable bloat discussing behaviours and fibre as well as elimination options such as lactose, artificial sweeteners and FODMAPs. She ends with her beat the bloat rundown that you can consider when addressing uncomfortable, chronic bloating and if probiotics and activated charcoal are worth it.

Connect with Sandra:
Nutrition A-Z
Instagram
LinkedIn

As preparations for season 5 are in full swing, we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane and share the most listened-to episodes, starting with this one!

Dr. Sophie Bostock joined Sandra on the pod to uncover the mysteries of sleep and its profound impact on our health. Starting with the essential functions of sleep, Dr. Bostock explained why it’s vital for both physical and mental well-being. They explored how sleep connects to our circadian rhythms, the body’s natural clock, and how disruptions can lead to health issues.

Dr. Bostock also delved into the effects of stress and hormonal changes on sleep, particularly for women, and weighed in on the safety of sleep aids like melatonin. Finally, she shared her favourite sleep hacks, common mistakes to avoid, and strategies to get better rest. This episode covered:

• Why do we sleep?
• Circadian rhythms and the impact of sleep disruption on our health
• Stress and hormonal influences on sleep
• Should we use melatonin if we’re struggling with sleep?
• The top 3 mistakes people do that negatively impact their sleep
• Sophie’s sleep hacks for a good night’s sleep
• Sandra and Wagdy tie it all together through the lens of gut health

About Dr. Sophie Bostock:
Dr Sophie Bostock is a Sleep Evangelist on a mission: to help millions of people to improve their lives by unlocking the science of sleep and performance. With a background in medicine, Sophie became fascinated by the role of sleep and circadian rhythms for protecting health. After working on the award-winning sleep improvement programme, Sleepio, Sophie launched TheSleepScientist.com to provide sleep training and consultancy for clients in business, the media, the military and elite sport.

Connect with Sophie:
www.thesleepscientist.com
Instagram
Youtube

In this episode, your hosts sit down with Dr. Hasini Perera, a seasoned GP based in Dubai, to explore gut health through the lens of primary care.

From the most common gut complaints in clinic to when it’s time to refer to a specialist, Dr. Hasini shares how GPs approach gut-related concerns and what patients can do to feel heard and supported. We also dive into often-overlooked conditions, the role of nutrition in general practice, and why some popular trends might be doing more harm than good.

We shine a spotlight on women’s health and how to prepare for that all-important GP appointment. Today’s episode covers:

• Why gut issues are often overlooked in general practice
• When a GP decides it’s time to refer
• The impact of lifestyle and nutrition on gut health
• What’s missing in the conversation about women’s health and gut health
• Myths and social media trends and more!

Whether you’ve felt dismissed in a consult or want a grounded take on gut health, this episode brings clarity and real talk from a trusted frontline expert.

Connect with Hasini

Instagram: @douknowmedicine

LinkedIn: Dr. Hasini Perera

About Dr. Perera

Dr. Hasini Perera is a dedicated General Practitioner with over 11 years of clinical experience out of which 5th year working in Dubai. She is currently based at Emirates Specialty Hospital, Dubai Healthcare city, Dubai, where she blends compassionate care with evidence-based medicine.Dr. Hasini holds ECFMG certification, has completed all of the USMLE steps, and completed MRCP (UK) Part 1 and 2, reflecting her commitment to continuous medical excellence.

Her special interests lie in internal medicine, endocrinology, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic disease management, and above all patient education and prevention of diseases. With a passion for making healthcare accessible and understandable, she actively creates educational content for global audiences on LinkedIn/ Instagram and through engaging videos.

Born with a name that means “laughter,” Dr. Hasini brings joy, empathy, and clarity into her practice. She believes in treating the person, not just the disease, and is known for her relatable explanations, deep listening skills, and holistic care approach.

Outside of medicine, she loves drawing, storytelling, and crafting meaningful connections through humor and humanity. Dr. Hasini envisions a world where healthcare isn’t intimidating but empowering and she’s working every day to make that vision a reality.

From rural clinics to high-end hospitals, from managing chronic diseases to creating viral awareness videos online, Dr. Hasini’s mission is simple: make healthcare human again.

She’s funny, fearless, and deeply compassionate and today, she’s here to talk not just as a doctor, but as someone who understands what it means to fight, fall, and rise with a smile.