Imbalances in the microbiota usually lead to inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and an array of unpleasant symptoms. How do we prevent and treat it? Are there any risk factors? How is our gut linked to aging? In this episode Dr. Sajad "Dr. Z" Zalzala, owner of LDN direct and Root Cause Medical clinic, talks about gut health, autoimmune disease, and what we can do to improve our quality of life.   Three Takeaways Entrepreneurs and high-achievers who use stimulants such as high doses of coffee and Adderall are more likely to have a damaged microbiota. Metformin can help you cleanse a damaged microbiota, and it’s one of the safest drugs on the market. It’s been studied for over 60 years and is derived from French Lilac. The best way to activate anti-aging pathways is to give your stomach a break by following an intermittent fasting regimen.   In the beginning, we talked about how a damaged microbiota can lead to autoimmune diseases, and how stimulants and a bad diet contribute to it as well. Next, we talked about withdrawal symptoms on a gluten-free diet and how metformin can cleanse the microbiota.   We also discussed: How peptides can help you lose body fat The ideal fasting frame for both women and men How to get rid of visceral fat and keep your cortisol levels low   Metformin and intermittent fasting are the best ways to cleanse your microbiota, prevent inflammation and autoimmune diseases, and lose weight. Since most inflammatory responses are triggered by a damaged microbiota, you need to remove junk food from your diet, practice intermittent fasting, and use metformin if diet alone doesn’t take care of the problem. Guest Bio- Dr. Sajad Zalzala is a board certified physician in family medicine and an entrepreneur. He is the owner of LDN direct and Root Cause Medical clinic, and his focus is on integrative and functional medicine. Dr. Z is certified across many states, and he is currently the Vice President of the International College of Integrative Medicine.