Lisa Macfarlane

The Gut Stuff started as a passion project by Lisa & Alana Macfarlane. While volunteering for twin research for Tim Spector, they participated at the forefront of scientific research into nutrition and the microbiome. Discovering that despite being identical twins, with 100% the same DNA but only around 30% the same gut bacteria, could explain their completely different health pathways. Research was also uncovering links between the gut microbiome and everything from immunity to mental health, and thus their gut journey began. With consumer knowledge low, science emerging quickly and the category disparate and spread across food, pharma and public healthcare, the girls dove into every inch of research, the market and, most importantly, what people knew and wanted. Gathering dietitians, nutritionists, GPs and scientists from each corner of microbiome research and thegutstuff.com was born – a hub to educate & empower. With a business built on education first they were able to launch products by listening and engaging with their community. They’ve since created an ecosystem to encourage daily gut habits. Their products range from diaries, fermenting kits, tools and resources for EVERYONE as well as a range of fibre bars which are stocked across grocery, high street and online. To bring gut health to the masses, they knew they’d also have to speak in places that weren’t expecting them, knowing they could disrupt workplace wellness one gut at a time. Their suite of talks and bitesize content has taken them everywhere from Balfour Beatty construction sites, the RAF, Visa, Facebook and Accenture. The business has grown rapidly but never lost it’s roots to make systematic change. This has seated them on the NHS Food Review board, authors of best-selling books with top experts and currently piloting modules for the UK School Curriculum. The company also achieved B Corp status this year.