Patchwork Podcast #09 Martha Carlin: Nobody is engineering probiotics properly
by Kevin Danielson April 06, 2025
In this episode of the Patchwork podcast, Martha Carlin, CEO of BiotiQuest, shares her transformative journey from the tech industry to a microbiome & Parkinson's researcher due to her husband getting Parkinson's at an early age. She discusses the critical role of the microbiome in health, particularly in relation to Parkinson's disease, and the disconnect between medicine, science research and microbiome research. Martha highlights the impact of glyphosate on health, the interconnectedness of food systems, and the importance of probiotics. She also introduces her product, Sugar Shift, which aims to help regulate sugar cravings and improve metabolic health.
09 Martha Carlin: Nobody is engineering probiotics properly by Mac
And how Parkison's is intimately linked to gut function
Martha Carlin's talks about how environmental toxins in everyday products disrupt our gut bacteria and effect brain health, and examine the complex relationship between our environment and chronic diseases.
Every April, Earth Month invites us to pause and consider our relationship with the planet. We think about climate, pollution, sustainability—but how often do we think about microbes? These invisible allies, often overlooked, are the true stewards of life on Earth. They live beneath our feet, within our bodies, and in every breath we take. And they are crucial to both personal and planetary health.
We all try to make better choices: opting for whole foods, cutting back on sugar, and maybe even choosing organic. But hidden in even the most “healthy” foods are invisible disruptors that can silently wreak havoc on your gut health, metabolism, and immune function.