Will Bulsiewicz

Last updated
Will Bulsiewicz
Occupation Gastroenterologist
Author
Public speaker
Education Vanderbilt University
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Northwestern University
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Genre plant-based nutrition, dietary fiber, and gut health
Notable worksFiber Fueled (2020)
The Fiber Fueled Cookbook (2022)
Website
theplantfedgut.com

William John Bulsiewicz better known as Dr. B., is an American board-certified gastroenterologist, author, and advocate for the exploration of the relationship between the gut microbiome, dietary fiber, and plant-based nutrition. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Bulsiewicz was raised in "a Jesuit-educated family." [2] He studied chemistry at Vanderbilt University and graduated in 2002. [3] [4] [5]

Although originally planning to study pediatrics, Bulsiewicz eventually graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2006 with a specialization in gastroenterology. [2] [4] In addition, he received a master's degree in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) from Northwestern University [5] [4] in 2010; [6] [4] and a certificate in plant-based nutrition from eCornell. [7]

Career

Bulsiewicz completed his internship and residency at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University from 2006-2009, and served as chief medical resident in internal medicine from 2009-2010. [4] From 2010-2014, he was a Gastroenterology Fellow at UNC Medical Center, [4] where he was chief gastroenterology fellow. [8] He also received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for a one year epidemiology fellowship at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. [8]

He is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, [4] and is the U.S. Medical Director for Zoe. [9]

Dietary fiber and gut health

Bulsiewicz's research and advocacy centers on the relationship between dietary fiber, the gut microbiome, and plant-based nutrition. He argues that the populations in the Blue Zones consume predominantly fiber-rich plant-based diets, [10] [11] stating, "if you look at the healthiest populations on the planet in modern times, they’re in the five blue zones, and all five blue zones are 90 percent plant based. So, they are not necessarily vegan, but they are plant-predominant in a way where the meat is not the centerpiece. The plant is the centerpiece. The meat is the side show." [12]

He also advocates for the consumption of plant-based fermented foods for better health. [13]

Publications

In addition to academic scholarship, he is the author of two books: Fiber Fueled (2020) [14] [15] and The Fiber Fueled Cookbook Inspiring Plant-Based Recipes to Turbocharge Your Health (2022). [16] His next book, Plant Powered Plus: Activate the Power of Your Gut to Tame Inflammation and Reclaim Your Health, will be released in January 2026. [17]

Books

Introductions

Articles

Personal life

Bulsiewicz grew up eating the Standard American Diet, which led to poor health during his medical studies (as nutrition was not part of his medical training). [18] He only turned to a plant-based diet during his time as a Fellow at UNC Chapel Hill when he met, and was influenced by, Valerie who was already plant-based. [19] [18] They married in 2013, [20] and live with their children in Charleston, South Carolina. [18]

References

  1. "Six foods doctor says everyone must eat to avoid bowel cancer, poor cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes". Cambridge News . January 4, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Alumni in the Field: Will Bulsiewicz (M'06)". Georgetown University . November 4, 2020. Archived from the original on August 4, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  3. Faught, Andrew (February 26, 2018). "Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, BS'02: The gut guy". Vanderbilt University . Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Dr. William J. Bulsiewicz, MD". U.S. News and World Report. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Aujila, Rupy (February 1, 2023). "#182 Heal Your Gut with Dr Will Bulsiewicz". The Doctor's Kitchen. Archived from the original on June 22, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  6. "Annual Commencement Northwestern University" (PDF). Northwestern University . June 18, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  7. "Will Bulsiewicz, MD, MSCI". Forks Over Knives . Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "058: The Fiber Miracle to Heal Your Gut with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz". healthscience.org. December 14, 2023. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  9. "058: Will Bulsiewicz, MD, MSCI". zoe.com. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  10. Andrews, Betsy (October 21, 2024). "Be Kind to Your Gut Now, and the Older You Will Thank You". Saveur . ISSN   1075-7864. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  11. Snyder, Kimberly (May 12, 2020). "Restoring Your Gut Health with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz [Episode #473]". Solluna by Kimberly Snyder. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  12. Daggett, Lynne (2020). "Gastroenterologist and Author Dr. Will Bulsiewicz Says the Key to Good Gut Health Is Diversity". Future of Personal Health. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  13. Sausser, Lauren (June 18, 2017). "A Mount Pleasant gut doctor, embracing fermentation and social media, wants to change the way we eat". The Post and Courier . Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  14. Davison, Courtney (June 3, 2022). "2 Foods to Ditch if You Have GI Issues, Plus More Expert Advice from Gut Whisperer Will Bulsiewicz, MD". Forks Over Knives . Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  15. Sausser, Lauren (May 10, 2020). "Charleston-area gastroenterologist to release new book about plant-based diets". The Post and Courier . Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  16. AFL (May 20, 2022). "The Fiber Fueled Cookbook". KATU . Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  17. "Plant Powered Plus". Penguin Random House . Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 Jacobi, Nirala. "Feeding the Microbiome". thesibodoctor.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  19. "HS 440: Our Misguided Battle Against Microbes & The Gut-Immune System Connection – With Guest Dr. Will Bulsiewicz". themodelhealthshow.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  20. "Kobrovsky weds Bulsiewicz Nov. 9". The Post and Courier . November 26, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2025.