#448: Turning Sugar into Fiber, Hangover Science, and the Truth About Genetically Modified Probiotics | Zack Abbott
6/19/20261 hr 17 min
Today, I’m joined by Zack Abbott, a biotech innovator who took an unconventional path—from pharmaceutical science to the front lines of consumer health. Instead of following the well-worn route of drug development, Zack set his sights on bringing cutting-edge biotechnology directly to people, creating products designed not just for convenience, but for genuinely transforming our relationship with microbiology.
Anyone who uses code NATNIDDAM will get 10% off their first order! Visit https://zbiotics.com/NATNIDDAM.
Episode Timestamps:
Podcast introduction and host background ... 00:00:00
Consumer impact versus traditional drug industry ... 00:06:06
Gap and opportunity for biotech in consumer space ... 00:06:42
Engineered probiotics: not hacks but new relationships with biology ... 00:07:19
Scientific and public responses to engineered probiotics ... 00:09:03
Technology behind genetically engineered probiotics explained ... 00:17:39
Bacillus subtilis: why it’s the ideal delivery vehicle ... 00:27:08
Sugar-to-fiber product mechanism and rationale ... 00:32:58
Importance of fiber quantity and diversity for gut health ... 00:42:26
Sugar-to-fiber: capabilities and limitations ... 00:54:06
Keto/carnivore implications and who benefits from sugar-to-fiber ... 00:57:51
Misunderstandings and realities about GMOs in consumer biotech ... 01:00:02
Regulation, safety, and honest claims in biotech supplements ... 01:07:01
Current science and future of the microbiome in longevity ... 01:12:14
Personalization, AI, and microbiome-directed health ... 01:13:10
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsNathalie Niddam· Host0:00
[gentle music] Welcome to Longevity. I'm your host, Natalie Knittum. I'm a nutritionist, a human potential and epigenetic coach, and I created this podcast to bring you the latest ways to take control of your health and longevity. We cover it all, from new technology and ancestral health practices, to personalized interventions, and a very special interest of mine, peptides and bioregulators. Enjoy the show. [upbeat music] Welcome back to the show. I'm Natalie Knittum, your host. Zach Abbott had all the credentials to stay in the pharmaceutical world, but instead he chose a different mission, bringing cutting-edge biotechnology straight to consumers. In this episode, we explore two different probiotics, one designed to break down alcohol byproducts, another that explores the science behind converting sugar into fiber in the gut, and why there are no true shortcuts when it comes to health. It's a conversation about innovation and microbiology. It's also a conversation about a hairy topic that scares a lot of people, that are genetically modified organisms, and why sometimes they're not that scary, and maybe they could be the solution to problems we've been trying to solve for a very long time. Now, Zach has a very special audience offer. If you're interested in trying anything we discuss today, visit zbiotics.com/natknittum and use code NATKNITTUM for 10% off your first order. Next up, I'll thank two