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.

India’s growing dependence on quick, over-the-counter remedies has drawn fresh concern from a senior orthopaedic and sports surgeon in New Delhi. In a recent Instagram video, Dr Obaidur Rahman of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital warned that the country’s casual use of a common antibiotic is undermining its effectiveness and pushing India closer to a major public health challenge. His message, shared through a post and video, called attention to an urgent issue that often goes unnoticed in everyday medical choices.

What Is Azithromycin?

Azithromycin, sold under brand names such as Zithromax, Azee and Zmax, is a macrolide antibiotic prescribed for various bacterial infections. It works by slowing the growth of harmful bacteria. It does not help with viral illnesses like the common cold or flu, according to MedlinePlus.

Azithromycin Is Being Used “More Than Toffee or Roti”

Dr Rahman explained that one particular antibiotic has become so familiar in Indian homes that many people take it without a second thought. He noted that families frequently reach for this medicine to treat colds, coughs and mild fevers, despite the fact that most of these illnesses are viral. Because antibiotics do not work on viruses, this habit has increased unnecessary exposure and created ideal conditions for resistance to form.

In his post, he described the extent of the overuse by saying that the tablet is consumed even more commonly than basic household foods. This pattern, he said, has quietly pushed India into a vulnerable zone.

Azithromycin Antibiotic Resistance: Azithromycin Losing Power Against Key Bacteria

The antibiotic at the center of his warning is Azithromycin, a drug often prescribed for sore throats and upper respiratory tract infections. Dr Rahman noted that it was once effective against Mycoplasma Pneumonia, a bacterium responsible for pneumonia in adults and children.

He pointed out that this is no longer the case. According to him, India now shows an alarming 80 to 90 percent resistance to Azithromycin when treating infections caused by this bacterium. A medicine that once addressed a wide range of respiratory problems is no longer reliable for many patients.

Azithromycin: Antibiotic Resistance Already Reaching Clinics

Dr Rahman said that antibiotic resistance is not an abstract idea but something he encounters in his orthopaedic practice. He has seen cases where routine antibiotics fail entirely, leaving patients with few options. When commonly used drugs stop working, he added, treatment becomes more complicated, more expensive, and sometimes impossible.

His concern is that if such misuse continues unchecked, India could face a situation where even simple infections become difficult to manage.

The surgeon urged people to avoid taking antibiotics without proper medical advice. Most seasonal respiratory infections resolve on their own, and unnecessary drugs only add to the resistance problem. He encouraged viewers to share the information, especially with those who often purchase antibiotics over the counter.

Azithromycin Warning: Why This Warning Matters Now

Dr Rahman, who works at PGIMER and RML Hospital and specialises in bone, joint and sports injury care, said his experience treating a large volume of patients has made the issue impossible to ignore. He believes that without immediate changes in how antibiotics are used, India risks losing access to medicines that save lives in emergencies.

His message acts as a reminder that antibiotic resistance does not appear suddenly. It builds slowly through small, routine choices. And, as he warns, the cost of ignoring these early signs may be far greater than most people realise.

In a recent video, a neurosurgeon listed things he would start doing if he had to work on his brain health, ‘rebuilding it’, from scratch. Many people are focusing on health and bringing about a change in their life so that their health doesn’t suffer. If you wish to do the same but do not know where to start from, Dr Jay Jagannathan, MD, from Jay Jagannathan, MD, explains five easy steps with which you can start.

Your brain health is affected by many things around you, your habits, your diet, who you spend your time with etc. In the video Dr Jaggannath listed 5 things he would start doing if he had to start working on his brain health from the beginning.

In the caption he explained, “After years in neurosurgery, I’ve learned this: Your brain doesn’t need perfection — it needs consistency, balance, and protection. And the biggest changes often come from the simplest habits.”

5 Ways To Rebuild Your Brain Health

five key steps they would take to completely reset and improve their brain health. These strategies focus on combining strict discipline with intentional rest and mindful activities, recognizing the direct connection between physical habits and mental performance.

Sleep Schedule Discipline

The first and most critical step is maintaining strict sleep schedule discipline. This means committing to getting at least six to eight hours of quality sleep every single night without fail. If the individual has a very early start to their day, they must prioritize going to bed much earlier to ensure they meet this crucial rest quota. Prioritizing consistent sleep is essential for the brain to consolidate memories and perform necessary repairs.

Prioritize Strength Training

The second action involves incorporating regular, low-grade resistance (strength) training into the weekly routine. This exercise is especially important for people who spend long hours on their feet, like surgeons. Committing to low-grade resistance training for at least two to three days per week is considered extremely vital because physical strength and exercise directly support better circulation and overall body health, which feeds directly into improved brain function.

Embrace Regular Meditation and Mind-Body Connection

The neurosurgeon stressed the importance of dedicated time for regular meditation. They pointed out that a strong mind-body interface is crucial for endurance and clarity, particularly in demanding fields like surgery. Therefore, engaging in mindful practices such as yoga or meditation is necessary to establish and maintain that vital connection, allowing the brain and body to work together harmoniously and manage high stress levels.

Avoiding Burnout Cycles

The fourth piece of advice is to actively and consciously avoid burnout cycles. Burnout is a dangerous state of chronic stress that can severely damage both the brain's structure and its ability to function effectively. This strategy requires setting firm boundaries and intentionally managing one's workload and stress levels to prevent ever reaching a point of complete mental and physical exhaustion.

Skip the "Hero" Lifestyle

Finally, the fifth point is to firmly reject the "hero lifestyle" of skipping rest. This is the common, misguided habit of trying to power through intense work periods by constantly sacrificing necessary sleep and rest days. The neurosurgeon advises against this trend, asserting that continuous rest and consistent recovery are not optional but are absolutely non-negotiable for achieving and maintaining sustained high performance and long-term brain health.

With different careers come different work expectations. Some jobs have routine day shifts with regular working hours, popularly known as the ‘9-5’. While other jobs require round-the-clock service. However, did you know what shifts you chose to do have an effect on your health as well?

Ranking the best to worst shifts, Dr Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist, recently made a post on his social media platform. He explained that the way you schedule your work shifts can have a major impact on your long-term health. The ideal work schedule is one that matches your body's natural clock. Below is a ranking of three common shift types, based on their effects on your health.

Day Shifts: The Healthiest Option

Why Day Shifts are Best for Your Body

Working during the day perfectly matches your circadian rhythm, or internal clock. Your body is naturally built to be awake when it's light and rest when it's dark, allowing vital processes like hormone production and cell repair to function efficiently and keep your system stable.

Benefits of a Stable Schedule

Day shifts allow for quality, full sleep, which is crucial for long-term health. Workers face a lower risk of serious issues like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. This stable routine also lowers the risk of depression, anxiety, and certain cancers, making it the healthiest choice.

Fixed Night Shifts: Acceptable but Not Ideal

Partial Adaptation to Night Work

If night work is unavoidable, a consistent fixed night shift is superior to a constantly changing schedule. The benefit is that the body can establish a slightly more consistent sleep routine over time, allowing for a better partial adjustment to the reversed daytime sleep schedule than an erratic one.

Significant Remaining Health Risks

However, stable night shifts still cause chronic misalignment with the natural day-night cycle. This leads to higher long-term risks of metabolic disorders, insulin resistance, and mood problems. Additionally, it disrupts social and family life, contributing to ongoing sleep deprivation and substantial health risks.

Rotating Shifts: The Worst for Health

Maximum Disruption to the Body Clock

Constantly changing shifts are the most harmful because the internal clock cannot adapt to the varying schedule. This causes the maximum possible circadian rhythm disruption, confusing the body about when it should be awake, resting, or performing essential processes.

Increased Risk of Serious Illness

This chaotic schedule is linked to severe sleep issues and unhealthy fluctuations in stress hormones. This increases the risk of serious illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mood disorders. Rapid shifts, like moving from night to morning duty, dangerously increase fatigue, raising the risk of accidents.

Final Ranking for Long-Term Health

At the end of the post Dr Kumar reiterated that the best to worst working hours for your body.

• Day Shift (Best)
• Fixed Night Shifts (Moderate Risk)
• Rotating Shifts (Worst Risk)

While there are ways to manage your health around your working hours, it is important to make sure you give your body as much stability as possible. Make sure you speak to a healthcare professional and build a routine that will help your body maintain its level of functioning while also keeping your health in check.