Optimizing Wellness: Exploring Functional Medicine and Probiotic Solutions
Dr. Grace Liu, PharmD, is a functional medicine expert and founder of The Gut Institute, with over 20 years of clinical experience. She specializes in rebuilding the microbiome to manage complex diseases and optimize performance. Utilizing advanced nutrigenomic tools and lab testing, Dr. Liu reverses gut dysbiosis and related conditions. As the host of the Microbiome Medicine Conferences, she highlights cutting-edge research in the field. An educator at heart, she offers various training programs, including the Microbiome Bootcamp and Medical Peptides for the Microbiome. A prolific formulator of innovative gut health products, including BIONIC FIBER, Dr. Liu is a sought-after speaker and has authored the best-selling book "7 Steps to Heal SIBO [and SIFO]." Featured on platforms like GaiaTV and Women’s Health Magazine, she aims to educate clinicians to heal one billion guts and improve global health.
Leslie: What are your overall thoughts on perimenopause, and could you share some specifics about this phase of life?
Dr.Grace: If someone wants to embrace their unique cycle, we’re here to help. Maintaining balanced levels of fertility hormones is crucial for overall health—it keeps our brains sharp, supports cancer prevention, and enhances both cognitive and metabolic flexibility. We often hear the horror stories of weight gain during perimenopause and menopause—30 to 50 pounds, and it’s frustrating. Sleep disturbances can start to creep in, reminiscent of those sleepless nights with a newborn, leaving many women feeling restless and on edge. This can impact gut health, which often declines when stress rises due to a lack of restorative sleep. It’s vital to maintain a healthy level of estrogen and progesterone—not just for a fit body but for a healthy gut as well. We help individuals find the right balance to create an “anti-cancer zone,” ensuring that estrogen and progesterone levels are harmonious and not dominated by excessive estrogen, which can lead to unwanted growth, whether benign or malignant. This is truly a powerful time for women! We’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge over the years, and now we’re ready to share our wisdom and support each other in this journey. Let’s embrace it together!
Leslie: What is the connection between hormones and gut health?
Dr.Grace: When we experience a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone, it becomes much harder to maintain lean muscle mass. Women often need to lift heavier weights and perform 25% to 50% more reps just to preserve their muscles. Without this effort, we face a natural decline, with muscle mass decreasing by 3% to 8% each year—potentially even up to 30% as we age. This is why many elderly individuals may appear frail and struggle with their physiques; they often face bone loss alongside muscle loss. At our practice, we focus on safely administering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to help combat these changes. We assess a range of hormones, including GLP-1, thyroid hormones, and pregnancy hormones like progesterone and estradiol. Testosterone also plays a crucial role in maintaining health as we age. Many of these hormones are actually peptides, like insulin, which can become problematic if levels rise too high, leading to conditions like diabetes. This hormonal balance is closely tied to gut health; an unhealthy gut can allow undigested food, bacteria, and yeast to enter the bloodstream. This prompts our immune system to react, often resulting in allergies and other health issues. In our younger years, our immune systems can easily manage these challenges with rest and recovery. However, as we age, these allergies can become more pronounced, leading to chronic conditions instead of manageable symptoms. Stress exacerbates this, as cortisol—a steroid—can compromise gut integrity. The longer we maintain a healthy gut, the better our overall health will be. Peptides are key in this process; they are regenerative and can help restore gut health while also addressing microbial imbalances. By focusing on these aspects, we can enhance our well-being and resilience as we age.
Leslie: What is a peptide for those of us who don't know?
Dr.Grace: Peptides are fascinating proteins made up of chains of fewer than 50 amino acids. When these chains grow longer, we call them polypeptides, and when they reach even greater lengths, they become proteins. When we consume foods like eggs, steak, or plant-based proteins such as beans and lentils, our bodies break down these proteins into usable amino acids. However, certain peptide fragments remain intact because they offer remarkable benefits across the animal kingdom—found in insects, birds, lizards, and even plants. These peptides are incredibly regenerative. They can penetrate the nucleus of our cells and influence our DNA, turning genes on and off in ways that promote healing and reduce inflammation. One peptide we often use is highlighted in Ben Greenfield's book, *Boundless*, which discusses the powerful Wolverine peptides. Two key peptides within this group are TB4 and TA1. TB4, derived from the thymus gland near our heart, plays a critical role in our immune system. Unfortunately, stress can lead to the calcification and dysfunction of the thymus, especially in individuals over age 20. This is why managing stress is so crucial for our health. TB4 is known for its regenerative properties; it can help resolve issues like scar tissue and even improve conditions related to fatty pancreas, liver calcifications, and heart disease. Meanwhile, TA1 is a potent antiviral agent that has shown remarkable results in reducing viral loads for Hepatitis B and C, and there are case reports of it normalizing HIV levels. Another powerful peptide we offer is BPC-157, known for its healing properties throughout the body. Initially studied by Pavlov, who researched its effects using stomach extracts, BPC-157 has been shown to promote healing even in extreme conditions. For example, studies demonstrated that animals pre-treated with BPC-157 could withstand lethal doses of arsenic, thriving while others perished. In clinical practice, I recommend clients consider multiple cycles of these Wolverine peptides. Many report significant relief from chronic injuries, whether it’s back pain, knee issues, or even shoulder injuries. The results can be remarkably fast, with improvements often seen in just a few days. If you're interested in exploring personalized peptide plans, I invite you to visit our website at thegutinstitute.com/peptides. Together, we can create a customized approach to enhance your health and well-being through the incredible power of peptides!
Leslie: What do peptides do for those experiencing (peri)menopause?
Dr.Grace: Perimenopause and menopause can be transformative times, and incorporating therapies like hyperbaric oxygen, acupuncture, and Qigong can enhance the experience. When combined with peptides like BPC-157 and other supportive hormones, many people report feeling revitalized and more in touch with their youthful selves. These treatments can significantly reduce inflammation, particularly in the gut, which in turn boosts overall healing and makes hormones like progesterone and estrogen more bioavailable. Even when hormone levels remain constant, improved receptor sensitivity due to reduced inflammation helps individuals feel younger and alleviates common age-related issues such as aches, brain fog, and allergies. Peptides play a crucial role in maintaining health; they remain effective until inflammation returns, providing a lasting boost. This is particularly beneficial for athletes and anyone who pushes their bodies to the limit. The effects of these therapies can be long-lasting, supporting overall well-being in a remarkable way. That’s what I love about them—they help create a foundation for sustained health!
Leslie: Given that our Vitaminis products contain probiotics, can you discuss the importance of probiotics for women going through (peri)menopause?
Dr.Grace: I’m so grateful for the products you sent! I tried them, and they taste amazing—I felt fantastic while using them. Thank you for your work as a formulator! I have a deep appreciation for probiotics in all forms. They play a vital role in our health, especially since beneficial bacteria also produce regenerative peptides. However, probiotics need to be nourished by prebiotics—the fiber and antioxidants that help them thrive and proliferate. To truly support our gut health, it’s essential to consume about 30 to 50 grams of fiber daily. In today’s fast-paced world, it can be challenging to get enough fiber from food alone, which is why I recommend incorporating a fiber shake. I love using options like psyllium, inulin, and even some powerful extracts like pomegranate and OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins). These not only support probiotic growth but also provide beneficial peptides for overall wellness.
Leslie: Are peptides a part of post-biotics?
Dr.Grace: Exo-MOS (arabino oligosaccharides) and FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) are powerful prebiotics that strengthen our probiotics, like Maximus and Microbound Mojo, which boast the highest concentrations of bifidobacteria. These probiotics produce regenerative antimicrobial peptides, leading to significant improvements in conditions like leaky gut and autoimmunity within just four months. They also bind to toxins like glyphosate and mycotoxins, facilitating detoxification. When combined with fiber, such as psyllium, these prebiotics enhance gut health and help eliminate harmful substances, including estrogenic compounds. By nourishing our gut flora, we encourage the production of beneficial postbiotics like butyrate, which is even better when produced naturally by the gut. Clients with low testosterone or progesterone often see remarkable improvements, resolving symptoms like hot flashes and fatigue. For those experiencing long COVID or ongoing health issues, we may need to consider more comprehensive options, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Leslie: Where can people find you if they are interested in learning more?
Dr.Grace: You can find us at thegutinstitute.com, where we offer a variety of programs designed to support your health journey. I invite you to schedule an appointment with me directly through the link: thegutinstitute.com/peptides. I’d love to connect and explore how I can assist you in reaching your wellness goals. There are so many exciting options available, and I’m here to help you every step of the way!
