Dr. Jason Hawrelak is a researcher, educator, Western herbalist, and naturopathic physician with over 20 years’ clinical experience. He did his PhD examining the capacity of probiotics, prebiotics and herbal medicines to modify the gastrointestinal tract microbiota and teaches worldwide on the topics of microbiota modification and gastrointestinal health. He did his PhD examining the capacity of probiotics, prebiotics and herbal medicines to modify the gastrointestinal tract microbiota and teaches worldwide on the topics of microbiota modification and gastrointestinal health. He has published extensively in these areas, including 20 textbook chapters. Dr. Hawrelak is on the Medical Nutrition Council of the American Society for Nutrition and is a Fellow of both the American College of Nutrition and the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia. Dr Hawrelak maintains a busy clinical practice via Hobart, Tasmania, Australia where he consults with patients from all over the world. Dr. Hawrelak has taught health professionals at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level for the past 20 years. He is currently the Senior Lecturer in Complementary and Alternative Medicines at the University of Tasmania’s College of Health and Medicine (Hobart, Tasmania), where he coordinates the Evidence-based Complementary Medicine programs and also teaches natural approaches to Gastroenterology within the University of Western States Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine program (Portland, Oregon). Additionally, Dr Hawrelak is Chief Research Officer at ProbioticAdvisor.com, which offers a searchable database that enables easy, evidence-based prescribing of probiotic products and online resources for clinicians to learn more about the human microbiome and how they can positively influence these ecosystems.   In this episode, we cover: - how moving from Canada to Australia changed his outlook on health - why not all marketed "probiotics" are helpful for you - the best time to take probiotics -- and do they have to be refrigerated? - how bettering gut health can improve immunity, mental health, brain health, skin health, and overall whole body health - looking toward the future of improving gut health through fecal matter transplants ... and more! You can connect with Dr. Hawrelak on his website: probioticadvisor.com You can learn more about me by following on IG @imperfectlypaigewellness or by checking out my blog, freebies, and offers on my website: https://imperfectlypaigewellness.com Please share with #PaigeTalksWellness to help get the word out about the show - and join the Imperfect Health Fam over on Facebook.