Your body hosts trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, collectively known as the microbiome. While some bacteria are linked to disease, many play essential roles in supporting your immune system, heart health, weight management, and overall well-being. This article delves into the significance of the gut microbiome and its impact on health.

What Is Gut Microbiome?

Interestingly, bacterial cells outnumber human cells in the body, with approximately 40 trillion bacterial cells compared to 30 trillion human cells. With up to 1,000 species of bacteria present in the gut, each plays a distinct role. While most bacteria contribute positively to health, some can be harmful. Together, these microbes weigh around 1–2 kilograms, functioning almost like an additional organ essential for overall well-being.

How Does Gut Microbiome Influence Your Health?

The relationship between humans and microbes has evolved over millions of years, with the gut microbiome playing a crucial role from birth. Initial exposure to microbes occurs during birth, and some evidence suggests that exposure begins in the womb. As the microbiome diversifies, it starts influencing key bodily functions:

Digestion of breast milk: Beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria help break down essential sugars in breast milk, supporting infant growth.

Fiber digestion: Some bacteria process fiber into short-chain fatty acids, which contribute to gut health and reduce risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Immune system regulation: The gut microbiome interacts with immune cells, influencing how the body responds to infections.

Brain health: Emerging research suggests a link between the gut microbiome and brain function, potentially affecting mental health and neurological processes.

Gut Microbiome And Weight Management

An imbalance between beneficial and harmful microbes, known as gut dysbiosis, may contribute to weight gain. Studies on identical twins—one with obesity and the other without—suggest that microbiome composition plays a role in body weight independent of genetics. Additionally, animal studies indicate that gut bacteria can influence weight gain, even when calorie intake remains constant.

Probiotics, beneficial bacteria found in supplements and certain foods, can help restore gut balance and support weight loss, though their effects may be modest.

Gut Health And Disease Prevention

The gut microbiome plays a vital role in preventing and managing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Imbalances in gut bacteria may lead to bloating, cramps, and digestive issues. On the other hand, beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli help strengthen the intestinal lining, reducing the risk of gut-related disorders.

Impact On Heart Health

Research suggests that the gut microbiome influences heart health by affecting cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Certain harmful bacteria produce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a compound linked to blocked arteries and heart disease. However, probiotics, particularly those containing Lactobacilli, may help reduce cholesterol levels and promote cardiovascular health.

Blood Sugar Regulation And Diabetes Risk

The gut microbiome also plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels. Research on infants genetically predisposed to type 1 diabetes indicates that gut microbiome diversity declines before disease onset. Furthermore, individual variations in gut bacteria may explain why people experience different blood sugar responses to the same foods.

Connection Between Gut And Brain

The gut is physically connected to the brain through nerves, and certain bacteria help produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which influence mood and mental health. Studies indicate that people with mental health disorders often have different gut bacteria compared to those without such conditions. Additionally, some probiotics have shown promise in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Tips For Healthier Gut Microbiome

Maintaining a balanced gut microbiome is crucial for overall health. Here are some strategies to support gut health:

• Eat a diverse range of foods: A varied diet rich in fiber, legumes, and fruits promotes microbial diversity.
• Consume fermented foods: Yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut contain probiotics that enhance gut health.
• Limit artificial sweeteners: Some artificial sweeteners can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria.
• Include prebiotic foods: Bananas, oats, and asparagus contain fibers that nourish beneficial bacteria.
• Breastfeed infants when possible: Breastfeeding promotes a healthier gut microbiome in babies.
• Choose whole grains: Whole grains contain fiber and beneficial compounds that support digestive health.
• Opt for a plant-based diet: Vegetarian diets may reduce inflammation and support a healthier gut microbiome.
• Consume polyphenol-rich foods: Green tea, dark chocolate, and olive oil contain compounds that foster beneficial bacteria.
• Take probiotics if needed: Probiotic supplements can help restore gut balance after disruptions, such as antibiotic use.
• Use antibiotics cautiously: While antibiotics can be life-saving, overuse can harm beneficial gut bacteria.

Catching a cold during winter is fairly common because viruses spread more easily in packed indoor settings, and cold weather can weaken the immune defence inside the nose, making it harder to fight infections. Having a stuffy nose or a mild cough is one thing, but many people often confuse their illness with a cold when it may actually be flu. Flu symptoms are usually more intense and can include fever, headaches and body aches, along with a dry cough and sore throat. A cold, on the other hand, tends to peak within two to three days, with recovery usually taking about a week.

Cold vs Flu: Why Knowing the Difference Matters

With a strong flu strain causing disruption across the UK, knowing how to tell the difference between a cold and flu has become especially important. Berkshire NHS, which has around 17,100 followers on TikTok, has outlined three key differences between the two illnesses.

In a caption, the community NHS trust said: “Cold and flu symptoms can look similar, but flu is usually more severe. The flu vaccine helps protect against flu. Visit the NHS website to learn more.”

NHS Shares 3 Symptoms to Tell Cold and Flu Apart

The video features an NHS staff member pointing out three signs as she walks toward the correct option. The first is that flu comes on suddenly, often within a few hours, while a cold mainly affects the nose and throat. The final sign is that flu can leave you feeling drained and too unwell to go about your normal routine.

Can Flu Get Better on Its Own?

Flu often clears up on its own, but it can make some people very unwell. That is why it is important to get vaccinated if you are advised to do so and to follow safe distancing to reduce the spread of infection.

Flu Symptoms 2025

As per NHS, below are the flu symptoms that people need to take care of:

• A sudden high temperature
• An aching body
• Feeling tired or exhausted
• A dry cough
• A sore throat
• A headache
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea or tummy pain
• Feeling sick and being sick

What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold?

• A blocked or runny nose
• Sneezing
• A sore throat
• A hoarse voice
• A cough
• Feeling tired and unwell
• A high temperature
• Aching muscles
• A loss of taste and smell
• A feeling of pressure in your ears and face

How Long Does a Cold Last?

In most cases, a cold can be managed at home without seeing a GP. You should start to feel better within one to two weeks, with symptoms developing over two to three days.

Cold Symptoms in Children: What Parents Should Know

Cold symptoms can last longer in young children. They may become more irritable, struggle with eating and sleeping, breathe through their mouth, and sometimes vomit after coughing. As per NHS, try to get enough rest over the Christmas holidays if possible, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nourishing food to help lower the risk of illness.

Mothers who use minoxidil, a widely used hair loss treatment, may increase the risk of infantile hypertrichosis in babies, a condition marked by excessive hair growth across the body, including areas where hair does not usually grow, according to a large international analysis.

Minoxidil Use by Mothers Linked To Potential Health Risks In Infants

Researchers from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, reviewed 2,664 worldwide reports of suspected infantile hypertrichosis linked to minoxidil. Of these, 45 cases involved children aged between birth and 23 months.

The analysis showed that 22.2 per cent of these infant cases were associated with maternal exposure to minoxidil. Accidental exposure accounted for 44.4 per cent, while the cause remained unclear in 33.3 per cent of cases. The findings were published in the Archives of Dermatological Research.

What Is Minoxidil?

Minoxidil is a drug most commonly used to treat pattern hair loss, known as androgenetic alopecia, in both men and women. In higher oral doses, it is also prescribed for severe high blood pressure. The medicine works as a vasodilator, meaning it helps widen blood vessels to improve blood flow.

What Is Infantile Hypertrichosis?

Infantile hypertrichosis (also called childhood hypertrichosis or werewolf syndrome) is a rare condition marked by excessive hair growth on the face, back, arms, and other areas, appearing from infancy, often with a genetic cause but sometimes triggered by medications (like minoxidil) or underlying conditions, leading to significant cosmetic and psychological distress despite being a generally harmless cosmetic issue

Minoxidil: Eye-Related Side Effects Also Reported

The study also highlighted concerns beyond infant cases. Researchers identified 1,669 global reports of eye-related adverse effects linked to minoxidil use in the general population, including 25 cases reported from India.

Commonly reported eye symptoms included swelling of the eyelids, blurred vision, and central serous chorioretinopathy, a condition in which fluid accumulates beneath the retina and can affect eyesight.

Background on Minoxidil

Minoxidil was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. It was later reformulated as a topical treatment for hair loss in both men and women after its hair growth–stimulating side effects were observed. The drug is typically applied directly to the scalp or affected skin areas, the researchers noted.

Minoxidil: Concerns Over Regulation and Use

Despite its proven effectiveness, the researchers raised concerns about the drug’s widespread over-the-counter availability and limited regulatory oversight. These factors, they said, increase the risk of misuse and unintended exposure.

Although minoxidil is generally advised against for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the analysis still identified cases of infantile hypertrichosis linked to maternal exposure during these periods.

The researchers noted that minoxidil has also been associated with eye-related side effects in the broader population, prompting renewed questions about its overall safety profile.

“This study aims to examine global reports of infantile hypertrichosis associated with maternal minoxidil exposure and to assess serious and non-serious eye disorder cases reported in India, with the aim of improving awareness about the risks of early-life or accidental exposure,” the authors wrote.

The study was based on data collected up to March 2025 from VigiBase, the World Health Organization’s global database of suspected adverse drug reactions.

This year had been a year of flu, fiver, bacterial illness and more. One of the over the counter medicine that many people often buy, or is prescribed, especially for bacterial infections is Amoxicillin.

What Is Amoxicillin?

It is a widely prescribed antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections in children and adults. It is part of the penicillin class of medications and it inhibits the growth of bacteria and allows the immune system to efficiently eliminate the infection. It is commonly used to treat bacterial infections affecting the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and skin.

However, about 5 to 10 per cent of children prescribed this may develop skin rashes as a common side effect. A rash can develop in two forms: allergic and non-allergic. A rash from the drug Amoxicillin could last up to a week.

What Kind Of Rashes Are Caused By Amoxicillin?

A Maculopapular rash is a flat rash that occurs like red patches, raised bumps and spreads over the body.

Hives are itchy, raised red or skin-colored welts that can change shape and location.

Erythema Multiforme are more severe, featuring target-like lesions or bull's-eye shapes with central red spot, pale ring, and red outer ring.

Anaphylactic Reaction is a rare but severe allergic reaction that includes symptoms like difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, hives and rapid drop in blood pressure.

Non-Allergic Amoxicillin Rash are flat, red spots that may be slightly raised, but not harmful. These usually appear o the 5th to 7th day after the start of amoxicillin and can appear on the chest, abdomen, back, face, arms, and legs. It may get worse before it starts to get better.

What Signs Should You Look Out For?

Warning signs include rashes within two hours of the first amoxicillin dose, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or very itchy hives.

The allergic reaction is caused by one's immune system reacting to that medication as if it were a foreign invader in the body.

More girls than boys develop these rashes, and in children this is even more common. In fact, the rash by amoxicillin was first noted in 1960s, in children who were being treated with ampicillin, recorded the Journal of Pediatrics.

What Can You Do If You Get Amoxicillin Rashes?

Among treatment, the first step should be to see your physician and immediately stop taking the medication. Drinking water and enough fluids can also help. Your doctor too would prescribe you medications and lotions to soothe your itching.

Hives can also be treated with the over the counter drug Benadryl. However, you must go see your doctor or GP, and not self medicate.

A doctor may treat the rash in various ways, including stopping the medication as the first line of defense. Then the doctor may give oral antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine) for the itch. Some doctors may use topical steroids to help with the itch and redness.

Before visiting your doctor, take photos of your rash, send it to your GP, as if it is contagious. Even after you start the treatment, stay in touch with your healthcare provider for any development.