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News18
01-08-2025
- Health
- News18
Gut Instinct: Here's How Trillions Of Microbes Hold The Key To Your Wellness
Last Updated: The gut contains diverse microbes that can shape your well-being. When they are in equilibrium, they conduct a symphony of defenses, mental acuity, and metabolic balance. Gut health is no longer just about digestion. The trillions of microbes in our digestive tract, collectively called the gut microbiota, are now known to influence everything from immune function to emotional balance and even metabolism. 'With each new scientific breakthrough," says Dr. Debojyoti Dhar, Cofounder and Director at Leucine Rich Bio, 'it's becoming increasingly apparent: the microbiome matters." Here's how this hidden ecosystem inside your body is shaping your health and what you can do to keep it thriving. Your Gut: The First Line Of Immune Defence A balanced microbiome plays a critical role in immune education and regulation. Healthy gut bacteria strengthen the intestinal barrier, regulate immune cells, and help keep inflammation in check. But when the microbial balance is disrupted – a condition known as dysbiosis – the immune system becomes unstable, increasing vulnerability to infections, autoimmune conditions, and chronic inflammation. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the by-products of fibre fermentation by gut bacteria, are essential players. They act as natural anti-inflammatories and help preserve immune balance. 'Preserving microbial diversity with fiber-rich diets is crucial for a robust immune system," says Dr. Dhar. gut-brain axis. Around 90% of serotonin, the 'feel-good" hormone, is produced in the gut. This means your microbial community directly impacts how you feel. Disruptions in gut health are increasingly linked to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. 'Microbial imbalance can affect neurotransmitter synthesis and even trigger stress responses through the HPA axis," explains Dr. Dhar. Metabolism and Weight: Your Microbial Control Centre Gut microbes influence how your body extracts calories, stores fat, and balances blood sugar. Certain microbial patterns have been tied to obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic disorders. 'Low microbial diversity, especially fewer SCFA-producing bacteria, is associated with poor metabolic health," notes Dr. Dhar. How to Nurture Your Gut Microbiome: Simple, Evidence-Based Tips 1. Go fibre-forward: Load up on pulses, grains, and vibrant veggies. Indian thali meals naturally combine these elements and support microbial diversity. 2. Eat fermented foods: Dahi, dosa, kefir, and kimchi deliver live beneficial bacteria and support a resilient gut. 3. Manage stress, sleep better: Chronic stress can reduce gut diversity by up to 40%. 4. Exercise regularly: Physical activity independently boosts SCFA production and gut health. 5. Get your gut tested: 'Microbiome testing platforms like BugSpeaks offer actionable, evidence-based insights to personalize your gut-care routine," Dr. Dhar says. Your gut microbiome isn't just a supporting player – it's the conductor of your health symphony. From immunity to mood and metabolism, these microbes quietly shape your everyday well-being. view comments First Published: August 01, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
09-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Gut microbiome testing: Key to early detection and personalised care
In recent years, the human gut microbiome has emerged as a vital frontier in preventive and personalised healthcare. From influencing immunity to shaping metabolism and mental health, the microorganisms in our gut hold untapped Today spoke with Debojyoti Dhar, Co-founder of BugSpeaks, to understand how microbiome testing can be scaled across India's public health system to benefit underserved IT MATTERSThe gut microbiome affects key health areas like metabolism, immunity, and inflammation, long before outward symptoms of disease show up. 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 minimal infrastructure needs and strong digital compatibility, such testing also enables personalised nutrition and care plans tailored to India's diverse 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 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 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 data makes nutritional and medical advice more relevant and personalised for each 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 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 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 targeted investment and public-private collaboration, these gaps can be gradually 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 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
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Are artificial sweeteners safe? 10 foods that may be secretly damaging your gut microbiome even if they seem harmless
You have likely heard that sweet treats are bad for your health and should be limited. But did you know that some artificial sweeteners, like aspartame and sucralose, can alter the composition of gut bacteria and lead to metabolic problems? In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr Debojyoti Dhar, co-founder and director of Leucine Rich Bio (BugSpeaks), shared a list of common foods that could be harming your gut microbiome, even if they seem harmless at first glance. Also read | Doctor shares 5 warning signs of poor gut health you shouldn't ignore He said: 'The human gut is inhabited by trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that make up the gut microbiome. These microscopic inhabitants have a gigantic impact on digestion, immunity, metabolism, and even mental health. A healthy, diverse microbiome is key to overall health. But diets today — usually high in processed, sugary, and artificial foods — can upset this delicate balance, causing inflammation, digestive problems, and chronic disease.' To promote a healthy gut microbiome, focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods, and be mindful of these: Dr Dhar said, 'They might be calorie-free, but artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin can have a negative effect on your gut bacteria. Research indicates that these sweeteners decrease the quantity and diversity of good bacteria and can even cause glucose intolerance. If you are attempting to cut down on sugar, try using natural substitutes like stevia or monk fruit, and always in moderation.' According to Dr Dhar, too much sugar provides an overabundance of fuel for unhealthy bacteria and yeast, including Candida, and starves beneficial microbes. He said, 'This can create an imbalance that results in inflammation and gut dysbiosis. High levels of sugar consumption have also been consistently implicated in obesity, diabetes, and neurological disorders—all of which are affected by microbiome health.' 'Ultra-processed foods — such as packaged snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and instant noodles — tend to have additives, preservatives, and emulsifiers that interfere with gut bacteria. Additives such as polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose, which are commonly used in processed foods, have been found to destroy the gut lining and upset microbial balance,' Dr Dhar said. He added, 'Eating too much red meat and particularly processed foods such as bacon and sausages can lead to the encouragement of gut bacteria that produce TMAO, a chemical linked to heart disease. These food items are low in fibre too, which supportive bacteria require in order to proliferate.' Fried foods tend to be rich in trans fats and pro-inflammatory chemicals. Dr Dhar said, 'They have been shown to decrease microbial diversity and enhance the development of obesity- and chronic inflammation-related bacteria. Furthermore, the oils reused for frying are particularly harmful to the gut.' Although not everyone should avoid gluten, Dr Dhar said that 'extremely processed grains such as white bread, pastries, and crackers do not have the fibre essential to feed friendly bacteria'. In addition, for sensitive individuals, gluten can also cause inflammation that affects gut health. 'Substituting refined grains with whole grains such as quinoa, oats, or brown rice is a microbiome-savvy change,' he said. Dr Dhar said, 'While simple yoghurt can be a probiotic superfood, sweetened dairy foods and milkshakes, as well as flavoured yoghurts, tend to have too much sugar, thereby defeating their digestive benefits. The added sugars nourish unwanted bacteria and can contribute to an overgrowth of your gut flora.' Regular drinking, particularly in large amounts, is known to impair the balance of the gut microbiome, Dr Dhar said. He explained: 'Drinking makes the gut more permeable (or also referred to as 'leaky gut'), promoting toxins and invaders into the circulatory system, causing inflammation. Even moderate intake will change the proportion of friendly to harmful bacteria.' Dr Dhar said, 'Burgers, fries, pizzas, and other fast foods are filled with processed fats, salt, and additives that destroy the gut's microbial ecosystem. These foods diminish microbial diversity and tend to have none of the prebiotic fibres that good bacteria need to feed on.' 'Though they appear healthy, packaged fruit juices have added sugars and no fibre. Sodas are worse, with high sugar levels and even artificial sweeteners at times. Both contribute to feeding bad gut microbes and should be eaten in moderation,' Dr Dhar said. ● Consume more plant foods: Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains have loads of fibre, which feeds your gut bacteria. ● Add fermented foods: Yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha add helpful probiotics. ● Reduce sugar and processed foods: Stick to whole, unprocessed foods. ● Stay hydrated and manage stress: Both are important in maintaining gut health. ● Diversity is key: Try to consume a range of foods to facilitate a diverse microbiome. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
