Diet plays a very important role when it comes to your health. There are many people who have to adhere to strict diets because of certain conditions they have. While the basic understanding that we need all kinds of foods to fulfill our body’s needs, sometimes these foods can also cause harm to your body. For example, lactose intolerant people cannot eat or consume any kind of dairy product as their bodies do not have the necessary compounds, known as lactose, to break down dairy foods. Similarly, there are many foods that may be ok for others to consume, but not for people who have digestive issues like IBS. But this new clinical trial may be able to help us know what food we can eat based on our blood test! The blood test, called inFoods IBS, looks for a special type of antibody in the blood. Antibodies are like tiny soldiers that our bodies make to fight off things that could make us sick.

IBS is a very common problem, affecting a large number of people. Many people know that what they eat can make their IBS symptoms worse, but it's often hard to figure out exactly which foods are the culprits. This is because everyone is different, and what triggers one person might not trigger another. Doctors hear from patients all the time, asking for help in determining which foods are causing their problems. So, finding a reliable way to pinpoint those foods is important. This test is attempting to provide that reliability.

How Does This Blood Test Work?

Basically, the test is looking for an antibody called IgG. When the gut reacts badly to a food, it makes more of this IgG antibody. The test checks for reactions to 18 common foods, like wheat, milk, and certain fruits. If the test finds high levels of the IgG antibody for a certain food, it means that food is likely causing problems. Therefore, the patient should try to remove that food from their diet.

Many people with IBS struggle to find relief from their stomach pain and discomfort. This new study looked at whether a special blood test could help. The idea was to see if the test could tell people which foods were making their IBS worse. The results were encouraging. When people changed their diets based on what the blood test showed, about 60% of them felt less stomach pain. This is better than the 42% who felt better when they just tried a general diet change. This shows that the blood test might be a useful tool for people with IBS to get real relief.

How Does This Personalized Nutrition Approach Work?

Many doctors suggest that people with IBS try elimination diets, where they cut out certain foods to see if their symptoms improve. However, these diets can be very hard to follow, because they often require people to cut out a lot of different foods. Doctors are always looking for ways to give patients care that's tailored to their specific needs. In the case of IBS, that means figuring out exactly which foods each person should avoid.

This blood test is a step in that direction. Experts are calling it a move towards "precision nutrition." This means that instead of giving everyone the same diet advice, doctors could use the blood test to create a personalized plan for each patient. While more research is needed, this test brings hope that doctors will soon be able to give much more precise dietary recommendations to those people that suffer from IBS. While this test is yet to be approved by FDA, it could be a world of comfort and ease for people who suffer with IBS.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body cannot effectively use insulin. Shockingly, this condition is now being linked to first-trimester miscarriages, especially in women with PCOS, with lab markers such as HbA1c and fasting insulin offering early clues. Therefore, it is essential for women to take charge of their health and maintain their blood sugar levels within the recommended range, as per Dr Sushruta Mokadam, Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, Pune. The expert went on to talk about other aspects of the same, detailing just how first trimester miscarriages could be a consequence of ignoring high blood sugar or insulin resistance.

Why are miscarriages in the first trimester rising?

Currently, there is a surge in cases of miscarriages during the first trimester, which is raising concern among experts. This may be due to undiagnosed insulin resistance. Yes, that’s right—miscarriage is not only caused by infections, hormonal imbalance, or blood clotting disorders, but also by insulin resistance. Many women fail to pay attention to insulin resistance, which affects how the body processes sugar and plays a major role in causing hormonal imbalance. Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are at a higher risk, as metabolic dysfunction can lead to miscarriage. Many women are experiencing repeated early pregnancy loss but are not screened for insulin resistance, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention.

How are miscarriages and insulin resistance linked?

Miscarriage and insulin resistance link: Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar and insulin levels. This imbalance can impact ovulation and egg quality and interfere with the implantation of the embryo. In early pregnancy, it may affect placental development, increasing the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester. In women with PCOS, insulin resistance is commonly present, even in those who are not overweight.

The impact of insulin resistance on reproductive health

High insulin levels can lead to increased androgen (male hormone) production, further affecting reproductive health. This hormonal imbalance can make it difficult for a pregnancy to be sustained, especially in the early weeks, which may result in miscarriage. Lab tests such as HbA1c (which reflects average blood sugar levels over time) and fasting insulin levels can help identify at-risk women. Even subtle elevations in these markers, including those within the upper-normal range, can indicate underlying metabolic dysfunction that may increase the chances of miscarriage.

What to do?

Pregnant women should opt for regular screening, manage blood sugar levels, eat a balanced diet, and exercise daily before planning pregnancy. Even during pregnancy, they should stay in touch with an expert who can guide them throughout the process.

Blood pressure is one of the most important, yet overlooked, aspects of a healthy individual. Little do people realise that the force at which blood presses against the walls of the arteries can have a serious impact on long-term health—heart attack or stroke, for instance. Current guidelines from the American Heart Association state that adults should aim for a blood pressure reading of 130/80 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). Some experts also say that this target is a little too aggressive for people who are prone to the side effects of blood pressure medication, such as falls and dizziness. But what would be the ideal blood pressure reading for older adults? Harvard Health experts have just answered this question.

Blood pressure reading in the 60s

According to recent studies, an intensive reduction in blood pressure in people aged over 60 is not only safe but is also associated with better outcomes than less aggressive treatment. According to a 2025 review, four randomised controlled trials were compared using two different strategies to control systolic blood pressure. The first aimed for a lower target, while the other strategy aimed for a higher systolic pressure. The trial included 2,600 people aged 75 years and older. Compared with a less aggressive strategy, there was a 39 per cent reduced risk of heart problems such as heart failure, heart attack, or stroke. There was also a 45 per cent lower risk of heart disease-related deaths.

Additionally, researchers noted no differences in the rates of adverse events such as fractures, low blood pressure, cognitive decline, or falls. Upon expanding the analysis, the same conclusions held true for people aged 70 years and above.

Rising hypertension risk

The risk of hypertension rises significantly with age. Among ageing adults, it is known as essential hypertension, as it helps deliver a sufficient amount of blood to the brain. With age, the blood vessels become less flexible and stiffer. Therefore, to reach the brain, an extra push is needed—as a result, systolic blood pressure can rise to as high as 150 mm Hg in people aged 65 years and above.

Doctors, however, are reconsidering their approach to hypertension treatment in older adults. The recent findings suggest that many older people should aim to keep their systolic pressure below 130 mm Hg. This may require a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.

Can one medication work?

According to experts, one medication may not be sufficient to achieve ideal blood pressure. A single drug usually works well to lower blood pressure by an average of 5 to 10 points. Using a lower dose of two different blood pressure medicines is more effective than maximising the dose of one drug. This approach is also less likely to result in side effects.

The relationship between chronic stress and liver health is a complex physiological loop driven largely by cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. While the liver is often viewed as a detox organ, it is highly responsive to hormonal signals, especially during prolonged stress. But at a time when competition is at its all-time peak in every aspect of life, be it work or school, it is a no-brainer that stress levels are peaking across age groups. That being said, Dr. Tushar Madake, Consultant, Department of Transplant Hepatology at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, spoke about the impact of high cortisol on the liver.

What is cortisol?

When stress becomes chronic, the adrenal glands continuously release cortisol. The liver, rich in glucocorticoid receptors, responds by shifting into a survival mode. In short-term situations, this helps by releasing glucose into the bloodstream for quick energy. However, when stress persists without physical activity, this constant signal disrupts normal metabolism.

The impact of high cortisol levels

One major effect is increased glucose production, where the liver generates sugar from non-carbohydrate sources. Over time, this leads to consistently high blood sugar and forces the pancreas to produce more insulin, eventually contributing to insulin resistance. At the same time, cortisol promotes the release of fatty acids into the bloodstream. The liver absorbs these fats but struggles to process and export them efficiently, leading to elevated triglycerides and unhealthy cholesterol levels.

How does stress affect the liver?

Stress also drives fat storage in the abdominal region and within the liver itself. This can result in fatty liver disease, even in individuals without poor dietary habits. As fat accumulates, inflammation follows. Liver immune cells release inflammatory substances, creating oxidative stress that damages liver cells. Additionally, when the liver is overloaded with managing excess glucose and fat, its ability to detoxify the body declines. Hormone balance, toxin clearance, and medication metabolism are all affected.

Stress can also impair bile flow, which is essential for fat digestion and toxin removal. Reduced bile movement further worsens internal imbalance. Ultimately, chronic stress keeps the liver in a constant state of overdrive, leading to long-term metabolic strain, inflammation, and gradual liver dysfunction.