with @SoCalGastroDoc: Your Parasite Won't Respond To An Amazon Cleanse

Most people don’t have parasites, and if you do, it’s probably not the kind that a cleanse from Amazon will fix.

This week, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Wendi Lebrett, a gastroenterologist and creator behind SoCal Gastrodoc, to separate gut health facts from internet noise. They start with the liver, which gastroenterologists care for too, and dig into why fatty liver disease affects 1 in 4 Americans. Dr. Wendi explains the new treatments now available, including the first approved medication for fatty liver with fibrosis and the emerging role of GLP-1s, plus the lifestyle changes that make a difference, from cutting back on alcohol and exercising to controlling blood sugar (and yes, coffee).

They also get into why rectal bleeding in young people shouldn’t be brushed off as “probably hemorrhoids,” why a second opinion is always okay, and how patient stories are changing the conversation around rising colon cancer rates. They tackle parasites, which symptoms to watch for, and why parasite cleanses are a waste of money, before breaking down where GI doctors really stand on probiotics and prebiotics and who should be cautious with high-fiber foods.

Dr. Wendi's social media: @SoCalGastroDoc & Modern Gut

Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran