The Synthesis of Wellness® Podcast By Chloe Porter cover art

The Synthesis of Wellness®

The Synthesis of Wellness®

By: Chloe Porter
Listen for free

About this listen

 Chloe Porter is dedicated to health research and optimization. She is the host of The Synthesis of Wellness ® Podcast; an engineer; and an acclaimed health science speaker, expert, and best-selling author known for her deep dives into gastrointestinal function, functional health, and health optimization.Chloe Porter Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • 186. The Gut-Immune Axis, Intestinal Barrier Function, & Vitamin D₃ | Activated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ and Immune Function, Vitamin D Testing, & More

    186. The Gut-Immune Axis, Intestinal Barrier Function, & Vitamin D₃ | Activated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ and Immune Function, Vitamin D Testing, & More
    Jul 4 2025

    In this encore episode, we highlight vitamin D₃ in gastrointestinal health, with a focus on intestinal barrier function and the gut-immune axis. We discuss how vitamin D is metabolized into its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and how 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D can support the intestinal mucosa, while highlighting the intestinal epithelium and immune cells in the lamina propria. Through this, we further detail the role of regulatory T cells in supporting immune balance and modulating immune function.


    Topics:

    1. Introduction

    - Highlighting intestinal barrier function and the gut-immune axis with a focus on vitamin D₃

    2. Vitamin D Synthesis and Metabolism

    - Skin and 7-dehydrocholesterol; dietary intake.

    - Transported through the bloodstream bound to vitamin D binding protein.

    - First hydroxylation in the liver to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃).

    - Testing.

    - Second hydroxylation in the kidney to form the active 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃).

    - Local activation also occurs.

    3. Intestinal Barrier Anatomy

    - The intestinal epithelium forms a selectively permeable monolayer that interfaces with the gut lumen.

    - Covered by a mucus layer: mucins, antimicrobial peptides, secretory IgA.

    - Mucus layer provides physical and biochemical protection.

    - Tight junction proteins and paracellular permeability.

    - Molecules crossing the epithelium.

    - Disruption of tight junctions, immune cell exposure to luminal contents.

    - The lamina propria and Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT).

    - Maintaining tolerance while defending against pathogens.

    4. Vitamin D’s Role in Barrier Support and Immune Modulation

    - 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, tight junction integrity, immune regulation, and more.

    - Regulatory T Cells (Tregs) and immune balance.

    5. Vitamin D₂ and D₃

    - D₃ (cholecalciferol) is more biologically effective and binds DBP more strongly.

    6. Vitamin D Levels

    - Levels observed in autoimmune conditions, IBS, and more.

    - Symptoms.

    - Insufficient and excessive levels of vitamin D can be detrimental.

    - Multi-system.

    7. Conclusion

    - Multifactorial: Numerous factors regulate vitamin D levels.

    - Gastrointestinal health root cause approach.



    Thanks for tuning in!

    Get Chloe's Book Today! "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠75 Gut-Healing Strategies & Biohacks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

    Follow Chloe on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@synthesisofwellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Follow Chloe on TikTok @chloe_c_porter

    Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠synthesisofwellness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to purchase products, subscribe to our mailing list, and more!
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • 185. Gastrointestinal Dysmotility | The Effects of Dysautonomia, Intestinal Dysbiosis, Stress, & More

    185. Gastrointestinal Dysmotility | The Effects of Dysautonomia, Intestinal Dysbiosis, Stress, & More
    Jun 27 2025
    In this encore episode, we detail the enteric nervous system and regulation of gastrointestinal motility. We discuss factors including dysautonomia, stress, microbial overgrowth, and more, with regards to potential effects upon gastrointestinal motility. We further detail symptoms of altered GI motility. Topics:1. Introduction to Gastrointestinal Motility- Orchestrated contraction of smooth muscles that propel contents along the digestive tract. - Roles in mixing, absorption, and preventing bacterial overgrowth.- Disruptions in motility. 2. The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) and Its Role- Myenteric and submucosal plexus.- Coordinating contractions and relaxations for effective motility. - Mucosa includes epithelium, lamina propria, and muscle. - Submucosa houses the submucosal plexus. - Muscularis externa. - Inner circular and outer longitudinal muscle layers with the myenteric plexus in between. 3. The Role of Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICCs)- Specialized pacemaker cells in muscular layers - Generate slow-wave electrical activity to synchronize smooth muscle contractions - Critical for peristalsis.- Work with neural inputs to fine-tune gut motility 4. Dysautonomia and Its Impact on Gut Motility- Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) - Motility impacts- Microbial overgrowth, SIBO 5. Gastrointestinal Dysmotility- Neurological dysregulation - Structural abnormalities and smooth muscle dysfunction - Hormonal imbalances - Microbial overgrowth - Autoimmunity 6. The HPA Axis- Hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands - Central to the stress response and interlinked with gut function - The amygdala and PVN of the hypothalamus - CRH stimulates ACTH, leading to cortisol release from adrenal glands 7. Cortisol and Gut Barrier Function- Cortisol is a glucocorticoid that modulates immune function and gut physiology - Chronic cortisol exposure can impair tight junction (TJ) integrity - Increases paracellular permeability and allows passage of antigens and endotoxins 8.Stress-Induced Changes in Gut Motility- Slow gastric motility - Increased colonic motility 9. Symptoms of GI Dysmotility10. Addressing Root Cause(s)Thank you to our episode sponsor:1. Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fresh Press Farms⁠⁠⁠'⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Peach Cider Vinegar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at Sprouts locations nationwide, and check out their full collection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get Chloe's Book Today! "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠75 Gut-Healing Strategies & Biohacks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" Follow Chloe on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@synthesisofwellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠synthesisofwellness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Show more Show less
    15 mins
  • 184. Hypochlorhydria & Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth | Low Stomach Acid, Microbial Dysbiosis, & a Brief Conversation on the Oral Microbiome

    184. Hypochlorhydria & Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth | Low Stomach Acid, Microbial Dysbiosis, & a Brief Conversation on the Oral Microbiome
    Jun 20 2025
    In this encore episode, we detail the cellular make-up of the gastric lining, highlighting hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion and its role in digestion, micronutrient absorption, and microbial defense. We discuss potential pathophysiological consequences of hypochlorhydria, including impaired digestive signaling, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (SIBO), and more. Lastly, we detail upstream microbial control, focusing on the influence of the oral microbiome and oral dysbiosis.Topics: 1. Introduction- Highlighting the stomach and hypochlorhydria / low stomach acid, as well as microbial balance, dysbiosis, and overgrowth.- Discussion of intestinal microbiome and oral microbiome. 2. Gastric Anatomy and Mucosal Layers- The stomach: cardia, fundus, body, pylorus.- The gastric mucosa: epithelial lining, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae.- The epithelial layer: mucous cells, parietal cells, chief cells, enteroendocrine cells.- Beneath the mucosa: submucosa and muscular layers that contribute to gastric motility, mechanical digestion, and more. 3. Mucous Cells - The surface epithelium and gastric pits.- Secretion of thick, viscous mucus.- Protecting the epithelium.- The mucus traps bicarbonate ions: neutral microenvironment that protects against acid-induced damage. 4. Parietal Cells and Gastric Acid Secretion- Secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl): denatures dietary proteins, sterilizes ingested food.- Parietal cells produce intrinsic factor: binds vitamin B12 to facilitate absorption in the ileum. 5. Chief Cells and Pepsinogen- Secretion of pepsinogen: activated by low pH into the proteolytic enzyme pepsin.- Pepsin and protein digestion.- Release of gastric lipase. 6. Hydrochloric Acid: Digestive and Protective Roles- Immune defense.- Pepsinogen activation.- Adequate gastric acidity essential for properly acidified chyme.- Priming release of bile and pancreatic enzymes. 7. The Small Intestine, Stomach, and Microbial Regulation- The pyloric sphincter.- The stomach supports minimal microbial diversity.- Acidic barrier aids in limiting the entry of opportunistic microbes into the small intestine. 8. Hypochlorhydria, Low Stomach Acid- Hypochlorhydria can compromise one of the body's defense mechanisms.- Colonization of the small intestine.- Insufficient pepsinogen activation and possible protein digestion impairment.- Suboptimal chyme formation and downstream digestive capacity.- Possible symptoms of hypochlorhydria.- Possible impaired absorption of micronutrients including vitamin B12, iron, calcium, magnesium.- H. pylori infection, autoimmunity, aging. 9. The Oral Microbiome, Intestinal Microbiome, and Dysbiosis- Oral and environmental microbes.- Altered gastric pH, bile, digestive enzymes, and more.- The oral cavity as the gateway to the GI tract.- Oral microbial species.- Oral hygiene and oral microbiome health. 10. Conclusion- Root-cause approach.Get Chloe's Book Today! "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠75 Gut-Healing Strategies & Biohacks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" Follow Chloe on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@synthesisofwellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠synthesisofwellness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
No reviews yet