We Need Answers: The Truth About Gastrointestinal Disorders & Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) with Dr. Zachary Spiritos
Welcome back to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal! Join us as we uncover our lives as healthcare professionals.
This is Episode 72, where Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with Dr. Zachary Spiritos, a leading Neurogastroenterologist, to break down what’s really happening in our digestive systems. Watch the video episode on YouTube and listen to the audio episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re enjoying the show!
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- Show Notes
- Learn more about Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal
- Learn more about Dr. Meenal Agarwal
Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal Episode #72: We Need Answers: The Truth About Gastrointestinal Disorders & Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) with Dr. Zachary Spiritos
40% of North Americans are living with a gastrointestinal disorder—from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) to complex, chronic conditions like MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) —yet far too many are misdiagnosed, dismissed, or left without answers.
In this gut-changing episode of the Uncover Your Eyes Podcast, Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with Dr. Zachary Spiritos, a leading Neurogastroenterologist, to break down what’s really happening in our digestive systems—and why the healthcare system so often gets it wrong.
Whether you’re a healthcare provider, wellness advocate, or someone navigating your own GI journey, this episode delivers the healthcare education, self-advocacy tools, and science-backed insights you need to reclaim your health.
At Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal brings real, unfiltered conversations about healthcare, mental health, wellness, and self-advocacy—helping you see the truth, find your voice, and live a healthier, more empowered life.
Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:
- Why gastrointestinal disorders are on the rise
- The science behind Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- How to tell if you have MCAS
- How the brain-gut connection affects both mental health and physical health
- The latest healthcare innovations in gastroenterology
Learn more about Dr. Zachary Spiritos on Instagram @DrZacSpiritos, on TikTok @Dr.Zac.Spiritos, and at EverBetterMedicine.Health
Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal.
Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.
Show Notes
- We Need Answers: The Truth About Gastrointestinal Disorders & Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) with Dr. Zachary Spiritos
- [0:34] Welcome to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal
- [1:03] Welcome to the show Dr. Zac Spiritos! And what is a Neurogastroenterologist?
- [2:33] The Brain-Gut connection
- [5:22] Stress, the Autonomic Nervous system, and GI health
- [6:20] Distinguishing between IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
- [7:44] Mechanisms of function GI disorders
- [9:34] Why GI issues are increasing
- [11:25] What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)?
- [14:44] Challenges in diagnosing MCAS
- [17:32] Possible causes of MCAS
- [19:23] What mast cells do
- [23:48] Environmental triggers of MCAS
- [28:04] What innovations are coming in the industry?
- [32:37] How does diet contribute to MCAS symptom management?
- [35:49] Myths about the brain-gut connection
- [37:22] Connect with Dr. Zac at EverBetterMedicine.Health and on Instagram
- [38:20] Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal
- Theme Song: “Upbeat Motivational Pop Rock” by Alexey Anisimov
What is Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal?
Thanks for listening to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal. Being an eye doctor makes life easy, right? Not so fast. Join us as we uncover our lives as healthcare professionals. In each episode, you will face reality and vulnerability. You’ll hear how to manage your wellbeing, culture, and physical and mental health. You’ll also navigate self-improvement and professional development, all while uncovering innovation in patient care from experts in our healthcare system. Let’s do this while keeping it “real” and authentic. Hosted by Dr. Meenal Agarwal, Expert Optometrist, Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Mom of 3.
Who is Dr. Meenal Agarwal?
With three clinics in Toronto and sought-after experience, Dr. Meenal Agarwal is an expert in vision and eyecare innovation. She is a leading voice on patient care, technology, professional development, and wellness in the healthcare industry.