Your microbiome starts shaping health from the very beginning of life. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with Tiny Health founder Cheryl Sew Hoy about how birth mode, breastfeeding, antibiotics, diet, and parental gut health can influence an infant’s developing microbiome and potentially affect immune function later in life. Cheryl explains why babies need a very different microbial balance than adults, the importance of bifidobacteria during infancy, and how low levels of beneficial bacteria may allow less desirable microbes to take over. They also explore adult gut diversity, butyrate production, Akkermansia, fiber intake, carnivore and vegan diets, and why the goal is not always to “kill the bad bugs.” The conversation then shifts to vaginal health, where Cheryl explains the importance of Lactobacillus crispatus, how hormones can change the vaginal microbiome, and why testing may help women better understand changes during postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause.
Cheryl Sew Hoy is a tech entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder and CEO of Tiny Health, a precision health platform offering at-home shotgun metagenomic testing for infant, maternal, and adult microbiomes. A Cornell-trained engineer and serial entrepreneur, Cheryl founded Tiny Health after searching for better answers about her own daughter’s early health risks following a C-section birth. Her work now focuses on helping families understand how early microbial exposures, breastfeeding, diet, gut health, and vaginal health may influence immune development and long-term wellness. Through Tiny Health, she brings advanced microbiome testing and personalized recommendations into the home, helping parents and adults better understand the microbial ecosystems that support health across the lifespan.
Website: https://www.tinyhealth.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylsewhoy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylyeoh
X: https://x.com/cherylyeoh
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