Could your gut microbiome influence how many calories you absorb from the same food? Karen Corbin explains the science behind energy absorption, faecal calorie loss, and why feeding your microbes may support metabolic health. We also cover practical diet upgrades, the reality on probiotics, and where microbiome research is heading next, including metabolite signatures and gut–brain links. What We Cover How the microbiome may change calorie absorption and energy balance Why fibre and resistant starch matter, and how to increase them Where “lost” calories go, and what microbial biomass could mean Probiotics vs prebiotics: what is worth your time and money How fast microbiome changes can happen with diet The future: metabolites, objective diet measures, and brain health research Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed it, share the episode and subscribe for more evidence-based conversations. You can keep up with Dr Karen Corbin’s latest research by connecting with her on LinkedIn and exploring her profile at the AdventHealth Research Institute. Intro (00:00) Can the Gut Microbiome Increase or Reduce Calorie Absorption? (01:02) Karen Corbin’s Microbiome Research Journey in Nutrition Science (04:17) New Microbiome Experiments That Could Change How We Eat (11:17) Energy Balance Explained: Calories, Metabolism, and Weight Gain (18:28) How Scientists Study the Gut Microbiome (29:19) Is the Gut Microbiome Causing Obesity and Metabolic Disease? (38:54) How Medications Like Metformin Affect the Gut Microbiome (43:31) Can a High-Fiber Microbiome Diet Reduce Hunger and Cravings? (45:06) Liver Fat, Type 2 Diabetes, and Metabolic Dysfunction Explained (50:44) Best Diet and Nutrition Strategies for Fatty Liver Disease (56:01) How Diet Changes the Gut Microbiome and Metabolism (1:02:27) Probiotics vs Prebiotics: What Actually Improves Gut Health? (1:07:08) GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs and Their Effects on the Microbiome (1:13:07) Gut Microbiome Metabolites and How They Impact Health (1:16:28) Gut-Brain Connection: How the Microbiome Affects the Brain (1:21:57) Future of Gut Microbiome Research and Personalized Nutrition (1:30:24) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.