Gut microbiome testing: Key to early detection and personalised care
According to Dhar, BugSpeaks' non-invasive test can detect early warning signs of conditions like diabetes, obesity, and gut inflammation. If included in routine checkups at Health and Wellness Centres, it could strengthen community-level disease prevention.With minimal infrastructure needs and strong digital compatibility, such testing also enables personalised nutrition and care plans tailored to India's diverse populations.ROLE OF HEALTH WORKERSCommunity Health Workers (CHWs) are crucial in spreading awareness, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Training them to explain gut health in local languages and using analogies can make the science relatable.Dhar adds, apps and videos in regional dialects can boost trust and understanding. Once CHWs become confident about microbiome testing, communities are far more likely to adopt it.WHY INDIA NEEDS ITS DATAMost global microbiome databases are built using Western population samples, which don't reflect India's dietary and cultural diversity. An India-specific database helps with more accurate interpretation of test results. Someone from Kerala, for instance, may show very different microbial patterns than someone from Punjab due to local diets and environment.Localised data makes nutritional and medical advice more relevant and personalised for each community.HOW AI HELPSAI can sift through large microbiome datasets to identify patterns and predict risks. At BugSpeaks, machine learning is used to generate actionable health insights from sequencing data. Cloud platforms ensure these insights are securely shared with doctors and patients, even in remote areas. As AI evolves, its diagnostic accuracy will improve, making it even more useful for early detection.MAKING IT AFFORDABLETo ensure access for all, microbiome testing needs to be both affordable and scalable. Dhar suggests strategies likeLocal sample collection and mobile testing unitsTiered pricing and government subsidiesAwareness drives via CHWsIncorporating this into digital health records can also support long-term care and monitoring, helping take precision healthcare to the last mile.INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGESPHCs currently face gaps in infrastructure and trained staff to collect or interpret microbiome data.'We need training programs, simple kits, and cloud-based diagnostics,' Dhar says. Robust digital systems will also be required for managing test results and patient data.advertisementWith targeted investment and public-private collaboration, these gaps can be gradually closed.Microbiome-based testing offers more than just data—it brings a shift towards customised, preventive care. With the right tools, training, and scale, it can be a pillar of India's public health journey.As Dhar puts it, 'The fusion of microbiome science, AI, and health networks can make precision care a right—not a privilege—for every Indian.'- Ends
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The Hindu
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How ovarian health impacts the body beyond fertility, and when you need to get checked
For many Indian women, the twenties involve balancing studies, work, relationships and life choices, with reproductive healthcare often taking a backseat. As the reproductive timeline progresses faster for Indian women compared to other populations, this has impacts not only on fertility but also on broader aspects of women's health, say experts. 'Most women produce their best eggs in their twenties,' says N. S. Saradha, senior consultant , obstetrics, gynaecology & IVF, SIMS Hospital, Chennai. 'From there, the number and quality of eggs decline more slowly at first, but faster after 35.' S. Gayathri Devi, clinical director, institute of reproductive medicine, Rela Hospital, Chennai, says that genetics, nutrition, and environmental exposures likely speed up ovarian ageing here. 'Women in Western countries women often reach menopause at 51 or 52. In India, it's 46 to 48,' she says. 'This shorter reproductive span means we must be more proactive in checking ovarian reserves early, especially if cycles are irregular, or if conditions like PCOS, fibroids or endometriosis are present.' A systematic review of Indian studies puts the mean age at natural menopause at 46.6 years (95% CI 44.8–48.4), says Sapna Raina, senior consultant, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, a difference of three to five years from many high-income countries. 'This earlier menopause, combined with longer life expectancy, means Indian women spend more years in a low-oestrogen state. Without intervention, that can magnify the risks of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline.' Beyond infertility: cardiac and orthopaedic risks When the ovaries fail before 40, it is called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). And it's not rare. 'If your ovaries shut down too early, the issue is not just infertility,' says Dr. Saradha. 'Bones weaken faster, heart health is compromised, and you may face hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances far earlier than expected.' R. K. Vidhya Lakshmi, senior consultant, obstetrics & gynaecology, SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai, says the impact in India can be even harsher. 'Osteoporosis and heart disease are already common here, so the consequences of early oestrogen loss are amplified.' POI can be linked to autoimmune disorders (about 20% of cases), genetic factors such as X chromosome abnormalities, and certain treatments or surgeries, says Dr. Gayathri Devi. 'The good news is that timely hormone replacement therapy -- oestrogen and progesterone until the natural age of menopause can protect bones and the heart. Coupled with a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamin D, calcium, and regular weight-bearing exercise, women can preserve quality of life.' The silence around ovarian health Despite its impact, ovarian ageing has no dedicated government programme in India. It appears in broader initiatives like RMNCH+A - Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health , Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), or the National Adolescent Health Programme, family planning missions or cancer/NCD screening. 'This is an area where we need more organised national attention,' says Dr. Saradha. Professional bodies such as the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction, the Indian Fertility Society, and the PCOS Society of India are filling some gaps with awareness campaigns and fertility preservation counselling. But their reach is mostly urban. 'With infertility rates projected to double in the next decade, integrating ovarian health into public health policy would be a game changer,' says Dr. Gayathri Devi. Egg freezing and fertility preservation The most effective way to safeguard fertility is to lock in eggs while they're still healthy (for individuals prioritising having biological children). 'For women at risk of losing fertility early whether due to family history, upcoming chemotherapy, or pelvic surgery, egg or ovarian tissue freezing is the best available tool,' says Dr. Saradha. Oocyte and embryo vitrification are now standard in India, offered widely in fertility clinics. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC), once experimental, is increasingly available for cancer patients and even prepubertal girls, says Dr. Raina. In some cases, OTC can restore hormone function after reimplantation. Dr. Vidhya Lakshmi notes that experimental drugs rapamycin which may slow cellular ageing and regenerative approaches like platelet-rich plasma injections or stem cell therapy are still in research phases. 'They're promising, but not yet ready for everyday clinical use.' Understanding ovarian timelines Unlike cancer screening, ovarian health checks are not a routine part of annual exams. 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'It's most useful if you're delaying pregnancy or have risk factors. The goal is to use this information to make informed choices, not to create panic.' The conversation about fertility and ovarian health in India has often been couched in societal timelines marriage, childbearing, family expectations. But knowing your biology is about your timeline. 'It's better to act early with proven methods than wait for experimental ones,' says Dr. Saradha. Experts say, 'Every woman deserves the knowledge and tools to decide if, when, and how she wants to become a mother or not at all. That starts with understanding that the ovary has its own clock and that clock is different for Indian women.'
