Gut Health, Inflammation & SIBO | Dr. Will Cole on the Gut-Brain Axis

In this episode of the Vibrant Wellness Podcast, Dr. Brooke Stubbs sits down with Dr. Will Cole, bestselling author and leading functional medicine expert, to explore the powerful connection between the gut and the brain.

Dr. Cole reveals why gut health is the foundation of whole-body wellness, influencing everything from inflammation and immunity to mental health. He explains how the gut–brain axis and vagus nerve play a critical role in digestion and healing, and why chronic stress or trauma can block these pathways. Common issues like SIBO, IBS, and persistent bloating are explored as hidden drivers of fatigue, brain fog, and hormonal imbalance.

The conversation also examines the “Inflammatory Core Four” foods—gluten, seed oils, added sugar, and conventional dairy, along with alcohol as a powerful disruptor of gut health. Dr. Cole outlines simple food swaps and elimination diet strategies that reduce inflammation and restore balance, even for those who can’t access extensive lab testing. These practical steps demonstrate how everyday choices directly shape long-term vitality.

Beyond nutrition, Dr. Cole highlights the importance of stress management and vagal tone exercises like breathwork and mindfulness to reset the gut–brain connection. He connects these practices to hormone and thyroid health, underscoring that true healing requires a root-cause approach. Listeners will leave with clear, actionable insights to support their gut, calm inflammation, and build resilience for lasting wellness.

🎙 Key Topics Covered

🦠 Why gut health drives inflammation, immunity & mental wellbeing
🧠 The vagus nerve’s role in stress, digestion & healing
🤰 Common gut issues explained: SIBO, bloating & IBS
🥖 The “Inflammatory Core Four” foods fueling chronic illness (+ alcohol)
🧩 Practical healing strategies: elimination diets, stress tools & lifestyle shifts

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Root cause of gut issues (SIBO)

01:05 – Meet Dr. Will Cole

02:16 – Why gut health matters for the whole body

04:14 – Gut-brain axis & vagus nerve

05:42 – Functional medicine detective work

07:35 – Labs that validate & reveal truth

12:13 – Mystery illnesses & autoimmune spectrum

15:31 – Options if you can’t afford labs

18:22 – “Core Four” inflammatory foods (+1 worst)

23:33 – Easy anti-inflammatory swaps

27:03 – Alcohol myths vs research

30:06 – Inflammation spectrum & elimination diet

32:00 – #1 hidden cause of bloating

36:24 – Stress & trauma blocking gut healing

41:18 – Cortisol chaos & hormone disruption

44:17 – Thyroid testing mistakes

49:37 – Women’s hormone root causes

52:03 – Rapid-fire Q&A: sugar, alcohol, supplements

53:57 – How to work with Dr. Cole

54:14 – His books & podcast

1:00:08 – From chiropractic to telehealth

1:03:01 – Upcoming events: London, Australia, more

1:04:13 – Toxins, alcohol & inflammation

1:08:59 – Final takeaways: SIBO, vagus nerve & healing

🔗 Resources Mentioned

🌐 Learn more: https://drwillcole.com 

📚 Dr. Cole’s Books: Ketotarian, The Inflammation Spectrum, Intuitive Fasting, Gut Feelings

🎧 Listen to Dr. Cole's podcast: The Art of Being Well 

🔗 Follow Dr. Cole on Instagram

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Limitations
Please note the information provided by Vibrant Wellness is intended solely for research and informational purposes to help inform lifestyle choices aimed at potential risk mitigation. The information is not intended to be used by the patient for any diagnostic purpose and is not a substitute for medical advice by a healthcare practitioner. Please consult a licensed healthcare practitioner for any questions regarding diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any disease or health assessment.