Gut Punched: EP 111 - Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Rie Aihara

In Episode 111 of Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers, host Jeff Edwards welcomes Dr. Rie Aihara from Revitalize for an eye-opening conversation about one of today's fastest-growing areas of Alzheimer's research, the gut-brain connection. Researchers are discovering that the trillions of bacteria living inside our digestive system, known as the microbiome, may play a much bigger role in overall brain health than anyone once imagined. We'll explore how an unhealthy gut can contribute to chronic inflammation throughout the body, why inflammation has become an important focus in Alzheimer's research, and how your digestive health may influence what happens in your brain. Does eating junk food cause Alzheimer's? No, but the foods we eat, the balance of healthy bacteria in our gut, and our overall lifestyle may all play important roles in maintaining brain health. Dr. Aihara explains the science in an easy-to-understand way while offering practical tips that caregivers and families can begin using today to support better gut health. Also in this episode: • Dr. John Huffaker returns with another edition of What's New with Alzheimer's. • We answer a listener question about managing agitation in Alzheimer's patients. • We begin sharing information about the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's and how you can become involved in your community. Whether you're caring for someone with Alzheimer's, interested in protecting your own brain health, or simply curious about the latest research, this conversation offers hope, practical advice, and a fascinating look at where Alzheimer's science is headed. Hashtags #GutPunchedPodcast #Alzheimers #Caregiver #Caregiving #GutBrainConnection #Microbiome #BrainHealth #Inflammation #Dementia #HealthyLiving #AlzheimersResearch #WalkToEndAlzheimers #HealthPodcast #FamilyCaregiver #HopeWithoutHype Available on The Podcast Playground: Apple, Spotify, Pandora, PodBean, iHeart, YouTube, and GUTPUNCHED.COM