Gary’s Q&A

Listener question & Gary’s response · Transcript passage

Christian Long asks, Given your origins in a relatively safe country when it comes to food and water, I am curious how you have fared throughout your extensive travels with the food and water in those exotic countries. Did you experience significant food allergies or poisoning in your travels? And what advice would you give travelers visiting countries where the standard food and water could prove a bit dangerous for those who have overly westernized digestive systems?

To be totally honest with you, Christian, this is something I never worried about or even gave much thought to during my travels. I’ve met hundreds of other extreme travelers, and I don’t recall the topic ever even coming up in that community.

The only time this would be an issue is if you are drinking unfiltered water directly from the tap, which is something I never did. If you drink bottled water, this really isn’t much of a problem.

No matter where you travel to, I’ve read that your gut microbiome will change within 48 hours of arriving somewhere. To be sure, some places will affect you more than others. I think there is a lot of truth to that.

Because I traveled so frequently, I believe that my body was more adapted to such changes. I was rarely affected by food or water issues.

The only time that I think I had food poisoning was in Kuala Lumpur after I ate at a Kenny Rogers Roasters.

I’m not going to say my experience will be like everyone else’s, but it was never something I gave much thought to.