Gut Check: A Patient’s Guide Controlling Their Master Switch For Improved Health

Description:
Presented in: 15th World Probiotics and Gut Health Conference
Date: December 17-19, 2025
Venue: Novotel Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE
Name: Dr. Anna M. Toker

Introduction:
You are made out of trillions of cells, individual building blocks, put together very specifically into organ systems that carry out all of life’s functions. However, tucked away inside your intestines and floating around in the digestive juices are 10 times that many single celled organisms. These hidden microbes comprise what we call the microbiome. The substances in this digestive soup created by these outside organisms in the microbiome are critical to life, yet most people are oblivious to the vital role they serve day-to-day.

The microbiome regularly communicates with your brain and all other organ systems of your body. That means your behaviors, food choices, circadian rhythm, and health are controlled by this alien group. The host of your microbiome system is designed to benefit both you and the microbiome itself. If you are ignorant of this system, the balance of power will favor the microbiome, leaving you with metabolic, mood, sleep, and immunologic disorders.

If you are tired, cannot focus, struggle to control your weight or have immune/inflammatory diseases, then you are at the mercy of these single celled organisms. They are in charge, NOT you.
It is troubling to hear that you are not in control of your biological functions, but do not lose hope! By changing the way you treat the microbiome it will positively change your health and your mood.
The goal of today’s very brief talk is to outline the most important elements for your patients to consider and steps they can take to improve digestive health.

Keywords: microbiome, mucosal integrity, gut-brain axis

References:

[1]Neurobiol Stress. 2017 Mar 19;7:124–136. doi: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2017.03.001
Stress & the gut-brain axis: Regulation by the microbiome Jane A Foster a, Linda Rinaman b,∗, John F Cryan c,d
PMCID: PMC5736941 PMID: 29276734 [2]Nutrients. 2019 Jul 16;11(7):1613. doi: 10.3390/nu11071613 Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease Ronald D Hills Jr 1,*, Benjamin A Pontefract 2,3, Hillary R Mishcon 1, Cody A Black 1,4, Steven C Sutton 1, Cory R Theberge 1 PMCID: PMC6682904 PMID: 31315227 [3]Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018 Jan;12(1):83-90. Epub 2017 Sep 26 doi: 10.1080/17474124.2018.1378573. The role of mucoprotectants in the management of gastrointestinal disorders.
Eutamene H, Beaufrand C, Harkat C, Theodorou V. PMID: 28946778 [4]Can J Diabetes 2020 Jun;44(4):359-367. Epub 2019 Nov 2 doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2019.10.006.
Interplay Between Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Pep-tides: Potential Outcomes on the Regulation of Glucose Control. Lupien-Meilleur J, Andrich DE, Quinn S, Micaelli-Baret C, St-Amand R, Roy D, St-Pierre DH PMID: 32057671

                   

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Toker has completed her Bachelors degrees in Biology and Chemistry at the University of New Orleans,  Master’s Degree in Microbiology at LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans, MD from LSU Medical School, Shreveport, Louisiana, General Surgery residency at Methodist Hospital Dallas, and her Fellowship in Colorectal Surgery at UT Health Science Center Houston Texas. She is in active practice specializing  in Robotic Colorectal surgery. She has created an online educational subscription on gut health called Gut Check, co-created a digestive product called Zive 7, and sits on multiple corporate Medical Advisory Boards. She has published 11 clinical papers in different journals, and currently engaged in a clinical trial evaluating a unique vibrotactile technology and its impact on balance and fall risk.

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