Long Gravity Salon #5 with Dr. Maren Kemper: From Microscope to Microbiome — How Your Gut Health Influences Body and Mind
At the fifth Long Gravity Salon in our Berlin Remise, we welcomed Dr. Maren Kemper — biochemist, founder of Within Supplements, and one of the most recognised voices in the German-speaking world on gut health, nutrition, and longevity.
In a lively conversation with Norbert Richard Meinike, she shared her journey from biochemical research into health education — and why the microbiome plays a central role in your long-term wellbeing.
What Exactly Is the Microbiome?
When you hear the word microbiome, you probably think of the gut first. And rightly so: your digestive system is home to trillions of microorganisms — bacteria, viruses, and fungi — that together form your gut microbiome.
But your body hosts several of these microbial ecosystems:
- in the gut
- in the mouth (oral microbiome)
- on the skin
- in the airways
These microbial communities are in constant contact with one another. Particularly fascinating is the connection between the mouth, the gut, and the brain.
What this means: your health is not only governed by your own cells — but also by the microorganisms you live alongside.
As Dr. Kemper puts it:
"The gut microbiome is like its own little chemical factory — what it produces influences your entire organism."
Why Your Gut Is So Much More Than a Digestive Organ
The gut is one of the most complex organs in your body. It's not just responsible for digestion — it fulfils several key roles:
- Immune system hub: A large proportion of your immune cells reside in the gut.
- Mood regulation: Many neurotransmitters — including serotonin — are closely connected to the gut flora.
- Communication centre: Your gut exchanges signals with your brain, skin, and oral flora via nerve pathways and messenger substances.
- Longevity factor: A diverse microbiome is increasingly associated with healthy ageing.
Particularly compelling is the gut-brain axis. Studies show that around 90% of signals travel from the gut to the brain — not the other way around. Your gut flora significantly shapes your mood, stress resilience, and mental stability.
From the Lab Into People's Everyday Lives
Dr. Kemper began her career in the classic laboratory setting: molecular structures, biochemical processes, and scientific research defined her days.
But at some point, she found herself asking a defining question:
"Working in the lab was fascinating — but at some point I knew: I want to bring health to where it's created. Into people's everyday lives."
Today she reaches hundreds of thousands of people through social media, talks, and training programmes — making complex science accessible and showing practical ways you can shape your own health.
The Mouth–Gut Connection: Why Your Oral Microbiome Matters Too
One topic that stood out particularly in the conversation was the connection between the mouth and the gut.
Many people underestimate how important the oral microbiome is:
- The oral flora is embryologically closely related to the gut.
- Bacteria from the mouth constantly travel through the oesophagus into the gut.
- An imbalance in the mouth can therefore also affect the gut.
- Certain microbes — such as fusobacteria — are now even being linked to an increased risk of gut problems.
This makes one thing clear: health doesn't begin in the gut — it begins in the mouth.
Nutrition for Your Microbiome: Diversity Over Restriction
Dr. Kemper advocates a relaxed, practical approach to nutrition.
Her approach is simple: don't constantly ban things — instead give your body more of what it thrives on.
Particularly important for your microbiome:
1. Variety on Your Plate
Aim for around 30 different plant-based foods per week.
2. Fibre
This is the most important "food" for your beneficial gut bacteria.
3. Fermented Foods
For example: sauerkraut, kefir, yoghurt, kimchi.
4. Everyday Routines
Meal prep or a so-called "diversity jar" — a jar filled with various plant-based ingredients — can help easily integrate variety into your daily routine.
On the topic of sugar, she recommends a calm approach:
"Demonising sugar gets you nowhere — what matters is understanding how your body responds to it."
Pre-, Pro-, and Postbiotics: The New Trinity of Gut Health
Another key focus was the role of pre-, pro-, and postbiotics.
Prebiotics
Soluble fibre that serves as food for your gut bacteria.
Probiotics
Live microorganisms that can help support the balance of gut flora.
Postbiotics
Bioactive metabolic by-products produced by healthy bacteria — with potential anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects.
As Dr. Kemper describes them:
"Postbiotics are the gift of your healthy gut flora — or you can introduce them directly through high-quality products."
Small Habits, Big Impact: Longevity in Everyday Life
To close, Dr. Kemper shared a handful of simple but powerful strategies for a microbiome-friendly lifestyle.
1. Stabilise Your Sleep Rhythm
Regular sleep times and less screen light in the evening also support your gut microbiome.
2. Movement and Breathing
Moderate exercise and breathing techniques such as box breathing activate the parasympathetic nervous system — the system responsible for regeneration.
3. Build in Eating Breaks
A 12–14 hour overnight eating pause supports the so-called Migrating Motor Complex, the gut's natural cleansing system.
4. Consciously Reduce Sugar
Alternatives worth trying: dates, cinnamon, citrus fibres, fermented foods.
5. Eat Together
Cooking and eating together has measurable positive effects on both wellbeing and digestion.
The Key Takeaway
Perhaps the central message of the evening can be summed up in one sentence:
"Health is not something that happens to you — it's a decision."
Or put another way: what you eat each day, how you sleep, move, and handle stress shapes not only your life — but also the microbiome that travels with you. And that small ecosystem often has more influence over your health than you might think.
About the Long Gravity Salon
The Long Gravity Salon, initiated by Natch, is a live conversation format held at our Berlin Remise. We've created a space here for topics such as health, transformation, sustainability, and new perspectives on life — with the intention of generating lasting impact rather than short-lived attention. In a world of acceleration, we consciously choose depth. Long Gravity stands for responsibility towards our bodies, our community, and our environment — from the big picture of how we choose to live, to small everyday decisions like mindful oral care.
Watch the full conversation here — enjoy
