Norah O’Donnell: Secrets of the gut microbiome and how it impacts our long-term brain health

August 26, 2026 / 7:05 AM EDT / CBS News

I have always been interested in the idea of food as medicine, and the significant role our diets play in our long-term health. On the latest episode of "Healthful," I sat down with Dr. Laura Cox, an assistant professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Cox is an expert on the gut microbiome and what it means for our neurological health.

The gut microbiome "is the trillions of microbial cells that live in our guts," she explained, describing it as "a community of microbes that supports our health" by making vitamins, educating our body's immune system and even protecting us from pathogens.

The gut microbiome can affect our brains by changing our immune systems and our metabolism, Cox said.

Her work also focuses on whether gut health is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Here are some of the takeaways from our conversation — watch it on YouTube and listen wherever you get your podcasts:

According to Cox, researchers are learning more about the effects of GLP-1 drugs, which are used to treat diabetes or obesity, on our gut health.

"GLP-1s can affect the gut…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/healthwatch/