Is dysbiosis fact or fiction? And can we use the information we have about the gut microbiome to diagnose and treat disease? In this episode of Let's Gut Real I interview Gabrielle Fundaro, PhD on more deeply understanding gut microbiome science, and how practitioners and clinicians need to communicate that science in a connective way for their patients. Gabrielle Fundaro holds a PhD in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech as well as a BS in Exercise, Sport, and Health Education from Radford University. She is an ACE-certified Health Coach with both Monash Low-FODMAP and ISSN Sport Nutritionist certifications and provides client-centered coaching and consulting telehealth services via Vitamin PhD Nutrition that focus both on gastrointestinal disorders and health behavior change. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, spending time with my dogs, and lifting weights. In this episode, Gabrielle and I chat about: Her research with the gut microbiome and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) How do we define gut health? Dysbiosis – what is it? Is there a diagnostic test? The problems with this? Why do you see patients gravitate towards gut microbiota tests and other gut health tests that aren’t validated? How do we find the balance between discussing science and connecting with patients? Can the results of 1 study to provide health interventions? Red flags & green flags to watch out for when reading about the gut microbiome on the internet How health care providers need to do a better job at communicating and connecting with their patients -and how to do that!  To learn more from Gabrielle, follow her on Instagram  @vitaminphd or visit her website at www.vitaminphdnutrition.com