Pakistan continues to be dealing with a polio outbreak as four fresh cases have emerged, pushing the national tally to 37 this year, according to health officials on October 19, 2024. Health officials said that the regional reference laboratory for polio eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad confirmed wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1) in two children-one from each Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

In recent cases, a girl has been affected from Pishin, and two boys from Chaman and Noshki of Balochistan, and a girl from Lakki Marwat in KP. These are the first detections of the virus within Noshki and Lakki Marwat this year; isolated cases of poliovirus were previously reported within Chaman and Pishin. The province of Balochistan was the worst hit with 20 cases, Sindh had 10, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had five, and Punjab and Islamabad had one case each.

A gigantic fight against polio has been on going in Pakistan- especially in Balochistan and southern KP-over the last two years. Immunisation campaigns have often been suspended or delayed because of local protests, insecurity, and community boycotts. Consequently, quite a number of children did not get the necessary vaccinations, making existing patches of vulnerability for the virus to flow within those pockets.

Noshki, located near Afghanistan's border, and Lakki Marwat have also recently reported some positive environmental samples that confirm the virus is present here, said a local reference laboratory official. Samples of latest cases are currently under genetic sequencing for checking spread of virus and origin.

As the threat of polio continues to grow, Pakistan has vowed to mount a nationwide campaign against it beginning from October 28. With the zeal to tackle the menace in the most effective manner, over 45 million children under the age of five will be vaccinated across the country.

Today, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain one of the few countries where polio has not yet been eradicated. The WHO said the virus remains a potential serious public health threat in areas with low vaccination coverage and weak surveillance.

India On Alert Against Polio

The country declared itself polio-free since 2014 and has kept the disease on bay almost a decade with very robust vaccination programs; however, two cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus cases reported in recent days from Meghalaya create some amount of doubts over a possible resurgence. Experts observe that in India, despite these detections taking place, strong coverage of vaccination at 90-95% and mandatory surveillance measures keep the risk of this widespread outbreak at bay.

The experts point out, however, that such stable situation in India requires continued surveillance. "Countries like Pakistan and parts of Africa remain at a high risk because vaccination rates in those areas are much lower," Dr. Siddharth, public health expert, said. Vaccination is an indispensable act in order to avoid the spread of this incapacitating disease that manifests most importantly as a nervous system affliction leading to the paralysis of a long period.

With concerted efforts from health authorities, there is hope someday that the scourge of polio will be completely eradicated from the face of the earth and future generations will never suffer from its effects.

Weight loss drugs appeal to many for their convenience, but according to some experts, there are a number of noteworthy side effects. From rapid weight gain to sagging skin, several side effects of weight loss drugs have been identified through studies. Now, new research has found that weight loss drugs can cause more muscle loss than clinical expectations. The results, presented at the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine (ACP-IM) meeting in San Francisco, add to existing evidence on the possible adverse effects of GLP-1.

Why does muscle loss occur during weight loss?

When a person loses a considerable amount of weight, they also lose bone mass, muscle mass, and some connective tissue. Experts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that no studies directly associate muscle loss with a decline in physical function or strength. However, this clinical gap underscores the need to assess strength and mobility alongside weight loss in patients receiving this therapy. The systematic review identified 36 randomised clinical trials that measured changes in muscle mass and fat among adults using incretin-based obesity medications such as tirzepatide, dulaglutide, or semaglutide.

Each study measured body composition using MRI, CT scans, and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Most of them used DEXA along with other methods to obtain information about lean muscle mass, bone mineral density, and the distribution of body fat. The average age of participants ranged from 20 to 63.7 years. Only four studies included participants aged 60 years and above. None of the studies focused on adults aged 65 years or older.

Average muscle loss on weight loss drugs

Researchers noted a concerning trend: patients’ estimated muscle loss exceeded the 25 per cent threshold. Clinicians had expected a 25 per cent reduction, but not more than that. Experts also found that 68 per cent of people who used the drugs exceeded the 25 per cent benchmark, compared to 50 per cent of those who relied on placebos and lifestyle interventions. None of the studies measured whether the loss of muscle mass was correlated with function or strength loss.

Muscle mass diminishes with age

Despite being a concerning side effect of weight loss drugs, muscle mass is likely to diminish anyway with age. Additionally, the loss is more significant in older adults. Therefore, doctors advise caution when prescribing these drugs to individuals who are more prone to losing muscle function at an advanced age. Ideally, doctors should recommend exercise or physical therapy to patients taking weight loss medications.

The final word

According to experts, weight loss drugs do have a positive side — and that extends beyond obesity treatment. These drugs are also beneficial for diabetes and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is important to support treatment with the right kind of diet and a proper exercise regimen. Solely depending on the medication can lead to weight gain once it is discontinued. Therefore, for healthy weight loss, it is best to rely on sustainable methods for long-lasting results.

Indian guru and founder of the Isha Foundation, Sadhguru, offers a different perspective on life and mental health. In a 2025 talk, he spoke about weight loss. At a time when obesity, metabolic, and lifestyle disorders are at an all-time high, there is an urgent need to revisit and fix the way one eats. While many turn to diet fads and practise calorie or food group restrictions, Sadhguru recommends the contrary. The 68-year-old emphasises the importance of sustainable weight management through balanced choices, mindful eating and meals aligned with the body’s natural rhythm.

Sustainable approach to weight loss

Many people aim to lose weight to deal with body image issues or to prepare for a special upcoming occasion. However, according to Sadhguru, one must not try to force discipline through restriction, but instead allow the body to regulate itself efficiently while maintaining energy levels. If you are looking for foods to include in your diet for sustainable weight loss, here are some recommendations:

1. Plant-based diet: A plant-based diet is one of the most talked-about ways to lose weight sustainably. Nutritionists say that 30–40 per cent of the diet should consist of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. These foods are comparatively easier to digest and do not put much pressure on the digestive system, as opposed to heavy, non-vegetarian meals. This should be combined with a proper workout routine, as without movement, weight gain is likely to occur.
2. Eat millets: Millets such as ragi, bajra and jowar digest slowly. They have a low glycaemic index and do not cause sudden blood sugar fluctuations. A sudden rise and fall in energy levels can trigger sluggishness over time. Millets, on the other hand, release energy slowly, thereby keeping you active for longer and reducing frequent hunger pangs. Over time, you can reduce portion sizes to lose weight.
3. Occasional cleansing: During the talk, Sadhguru also emphasised the importance of periodic cleansing. Simple yet effective, periodic cleansing involves drinking a detox beverage such as ash gourd juice with a small amount of honey for one or two days a month. This acts as a gentle reset for the digestive system and helps the body feel refreshed and lighter. Over time, this can curb cravings and make fasting easier.
4. Sustainable rules: For weight loss, it is advisable to follow sustainable rules that are not too strict to maintain in the long run. For instance, fasting for long durations without giving your body enough time to adapt can lead to metabolic disorders over time and excessive hunger pangs. It is important to prioritise balance, awareness and nourishment.
5. Energy-boosting snacks: When hunger pangs occur, it is important not to turn to unhealthy snacks such as crisps, biscuits or tea cakes. Instead, for sustained energy, healthier snacks are recommended. Some of the best options include peanuts, berries, nuts and seeds. These will help you feel full and may even aid metabolism.
6. Time your meals: Timing your meals is equally important, as it gives the digestive system enough time to function. Ideally, there should be an eight-hour gap between meals. People who find this difficult can aim for a five- to six-hour interval instead. Frequent meals can place too much load on the digestive system, while infrequent meals can cause metabolic disturbances. Therefore, striking a balance is essential.

Eat healthy meals and follow a proper diet plan; your diet must be balanced—many have grown up listening to these healthy recommendations. However, little do we realise just how much difference healthy habits make to our lives. Even when it comes to constipation, one barely understands the long-term repercussions of irregular trips to the loo and how this may impact overall health. According to a 2023 review, prominent differences can be noticed in the gut microbiomes of 'slowpokes' and 'speeders.' Because the gut is strongly linked to overall health, there are several health implications that often go unnoticed.

What happens when you are constipated for a long time?

Constipation refers to a state wherein one fails to pass stools at least three times a week. Slow transit, too, is associated with inflammatory and metabolic disorders—and even Parkinson’s disease. Experts say that identifying microbiome profiles linked to gut transit time could help develop a fresh approach to treating and managing these conditions. Experts involved in the study explained how bidirectional interactions between transit time and gut microbiota provide a useful way to understand gut microbiome variations in both disease and health.

Why is the gut microbiome important?

Experts say that the gut microbiome, in both activity and composition, plays a crucial role in health. From diet to exercise, it can be shaped by various factors. For this, experts evaluated the impact of holding in stool and its consequent effects on health. They analysed previously published research on gut transit time, diet, gut microbiome composition, stool consistency, and metabolites released. Experts found that the studies involved thousands of participants—both healthy individuals and those dealing with comorbidities such as liver cirrhosis, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. However, this required swallowable capsules with sensors to track their journey through the digestive tract.

Another method used was the Bristol Stool Scale—a diagnostic tool that classifies stool based on whether it resembles hard pellets or watery mush. Some studies also tracked how long participants took to pass sweetcorn or blue dye. The goal was the same — estimating how long food remains in the colon. The longer it stays, the more time bacteria have to regulate gut acidity, ferment components, and produce metabolites that influence overall health.

The nutrition link

The research team yielded interesting results — people with faster gut transit had different microbiomes compared to those with slower transit times. This helped provide better predictions for gut microbiota than a simple test alone. It was also found that faster gut transit times were associated with microbiomes dominated by faster-growing species that thrived on a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. Slower transit times, however, were linked to microbiomes influenced by diets high in protein. These extremes can reduce gut microbiome diversity compared to average transit times. Therefore, both fast and slow movement create environments where specific species dominate.

Collectively, the research showed that gut transit time is an overlooked tool for understanding how the gut functions, its role in overall health, and how people respond to treatments such as probiotics. This could also explain why the same gut health advice does not work for everyone. Two people can consume the same meal and still show different results, suggesting that an individual's gut rhythm can help tailor dietary advice and treatment to suit their body.

The research is published in the journal Gut.