Today, I am honored to welcome Dr. Karen Corbin, an Associate Investigator and Obesity Program Lead at the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute, and the Founder and Chief Geek of Geeks That Speak. Her scientific career centers on human nutrition and metabolism, with a focus on uncovering the mechanisms behind individual susceptibility to metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and liver disease. A gifted scientific storyteller, Dr. Corbin founded Geeks That Speak to help scientists and fellow geeks communicate complex information in ways that are clear, compelling, and actionable.
She joins us today to share her perspective on the gut microbiome and its role in women's aging. She discusses her background as a registered dietitian and research scientist, and we explore the fundamentals of the gut microbiome, metabolic health, fermentation, and metabolism, including specific metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and postbiotics. We examine fiber as a critical fuel substrate, the research on its utilization, and the unique metabolic vulnerabilities women in midlife face. We also explore whether the microbiome drives insulin resistance, whether late-night eating becomes more disruptive after the age of 40, what’s overhyped versus underappreciated in the wellness space, and the latest thinking on GLP-1s, fecal transplants, dysbiosis, and more.
Today’s conversation with Dr. Corbin is truly insightful and informative. Be sure to stay tuned all the way to the end, where she talks about upcoming research regarding a fiber-devoid diet and how protein can ferment in the colon.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
Dr. Corbin describes the colon as a dynamic ecosystem where microbes function like a community rather than the passive waste container it was once thought to be
How the gut microbiome influences metabolism, immunity, and brain signaling
How microbes directly influence calorie absorption and energy access
What true fiber intolerance may signal
Why gut health becomes increasingly important with hormonal shifts and aging
How microbes and the body influence each other, impacting insulin sensitivity, metabolism, and energy use
Why late-night eating becomes more metabolically disruptive as circadian rhythms and hormones shift with age
How differences in metabolic pathways can cause the same foods or supplements to affect people in different ways
Bio: Dr. Karen Corbin
Karen Corbin, PhD, RD, is an Associate Investigator and Obesity Program Lead at the Advent Health Translational Research Institute and the Founder and Chief Geek of Geeks That Speak.
Dr. Corbin’s scientific career focuses on human nutrition and metabolism. She explores the mechanisms, including the gut microbiome, that drive individual susceptibility to metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and liver disease.
Her overall goal is to advance clinically relevant research poised to transform patient care. Dr. Corbin is also an expert in scientific storytelling. She founded Geeks That Speak to help scientists and other “geeks” deliver complex scientific information in a way that is impactful, relevant, and inspires action.
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