My guest today is Dr. Kenda Rigdon. Dr. Rigdon is a microbiologist with a PhD in microbiology and virology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Drawing from her expertise, she explores how the gut’s microbial ecosystem—comprising bacteria, yeast like Candida and Malassezia, and other microbes—interacts with genetic and epigenetic factors to influence Autism. Dr. Rigdon highlights the critical role of the birthing process, particularly how vaginal delivery seeds a newborn’s gut with beneficial microbes like lactobacillus, setting the stage for healthy development in the first three years. She also delves into how yeast overgrowth, nutrient competition (e.g., for tryptophan), and environmental factors like manganese and glyphosate exposure can disrupt this delicate ecosystem, potentially exacerbating autism-related symptoms.

Dr. Rigd ...