As Heard on 92Q: Nashville General's Dr. Maliakkal Talks Gut Health on The Kenny Smoov Morning Show

If you caught The Kenny Smoov Morning Show on 92Q recently, you heard something a little different between the laughs and the music: real talk about your gut. Nashville General Hospital's own Dr. Benedict Maliakkal, a gastroenterologist and liver specialist, joined the show as the week's featured expert for the popular "Ask the Expert" segment. Listeners called in live with questions about digestive health — and Dr. Maliakkal delivered straight, plain-language answers about IBS, diet, gut bacteria, and more.

April is IBS Awareness Month, and Nashville General Hospital is proud to help spread the word across Middle Tennessee — including on the airwaves of one of Nashville's most beloved morning shows.

Watch the Segment

What Is IBS — and Why Does It Matter?

IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome. It is one of the most common digestive disorders in the country. It causes symptoms like bloating, cramping, gas, diarrhea, and constipation — sometimes all at once, sometimes alternating between them.

Dr. Maliakkal explained that IBS does not have one single cause. Food, stress, and the way the intestines move all play a role. And there is no one-size-fits-all fix — which is part of why so many people go years without getting answers.

There are two main types of IBS: one where constipation is the bigger problem, and one where diarrhea is. Both cause belly pain, bloating, and discomfort. If you have had these symptoms for a long time and haven't talked to a doctor, this is a good time to start.

What Listeners Asked — and What Dr. Maliakkal Said

92Q listeners called in with real questions about their real lives. Here is a look at what came up.

What is the best diet for gut health — especially for communities of color?

A caller raised an important point: many sugary and heavily processed foods are marketed directly at communities of color. Dr. Maliakkal agreed this is a real concern. His recommendation: eat as fresh as possible. Frozen foods can also be a good option. The more processed and chemically treated a food is, the more it can harm the good bacteria in your gut.

The key nutrients for a healthy gut:

• Fiber
• Healthy fats
• Adequate protein
• Less sugar and starch

Are fermented foods like kombucha actually good for you?

Yes — and the science backs it up. Fermented foods such as kombucha, kimchi, kefir, and yogurt act as prebiotics: they feed the good bacteria already living in your gut. Your gut microbiome — the trillions of bacteria in your colon — affects not just digestion, but your immune system, heart, liver, mental health, and more. Taking care of it matters.

Does how you sit on the toilet actually matter?

It does. Dr. Maliakkal confirmed that the squatting position — which is how humans relieved themselves for most of history — creates a straighter angle in the lower digestive tract. That means less straining and easier bowel movements. A small footstool that raises your feet while seated (often called a "squatty potty") can replicate this position. Straining on the toilet over time can contribute to hemorrhoids and other problems.

What about hemorrhoids?

Several callers brought up hemorrhoids. Dr. Maliakkal explained that they are essentially varicose veins in the rectal area. They can run in families, get worse with prolonged standing, straining, or a low-fiber diet, and can often be treated with dietary changes alone. When diet changes are not enough, medical procedures — including minimally invasive options — are available. If you have recurring or painful hemorrhoids, do not ignore them. A GI doctor can help.

What about probiotics?

Dr. Maliakkal offered a surprising take: the science on probiotic supplements is still catching up. Probiotic pills must survive stomach acid, travel through 20 feet of intestine, and then compete with thousands of existing bacterial strains in your colon. That is a tough journey. He recommends focusing on prebiotics — high-fiber foods that feed the good bacteria already living in your gut — as a more reliable approach for most people.

Your Gut Is Connected to Everything

One of the key takeaways from Dr. Maliakkal's appearance: gut and liver health are not just about digestion. He noted that conditions like fatty liver disease, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and even some cancers all have documented connections to what is happening in the gut.

"The GI tract and liver play a role in probably 30 to 40 percent of all the health problems people deal with," Dr. Maliakkal shared with listeners. Taking gut health seriously is not just about going to the bathroom — it is about your overall well-being.