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.

A recent study has found proof that an autoimmune reaction is triggering certain neurological symptoms seen in some long COVID patients. The study, conducted in healthy mice, found that the mice exhibited symptoms mirroring those of affected patients to some extent.

What is Long COVID?

While it has been a long time since the end of the COVID pandemic, its effects continue to linger even today. Several patients who contracted COVID continue to suffer.

Autoantibodies Behind Long COVID Symptoms?

A US NIH-funded research group, directed by Drs. Akiko Iwasaki and Tamas L. Horvath of the Yale University School of Medicine and Dr. David Putrino of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai recently found that autoantibodies could be triggering these neurological symptoms in some long COVID patients.

Antibodies, in a healthy person, help fight infections. In patients with autoimmune diseases, these antibodies target the body’s own tissues. They are called autoantibodies.

The study also discovered that patients who had these autoantibodies are more likely to experience similar symptoms. For example, people with autoantibodies are more likely to face symptoms like loss of taste and smell. They are also more likely to experience nausea and joint pain.

The Mouse Experiment

The researchers conducted the study by transferring purified antibodies from long COVID patients into healthy mice. It was discovered that the mice developed the following changes that resembled the donors' symptoms:

• Antibodies from patients with chronic pain caused increased pain sensitivity

• Antibodies from patients with dizziness caused balance problems

• Antibodies from fatigued patients reduced treadmill endurance

The recent breakthrough in long COVID research has brought the healthcare industry one step closer to personalizing care for those affected.

Dr. Putrino says, “Our study now shows that if you are in a subgroup of Long COVID patients who have autoantibodies circulating in your body, this is a quantifiable sign that you may be a good candidate for these drugs.”

Long COVID Patients More Likely To Develop Heart Diseases

The study finds that cardiovascular diseases were more common among long COVID patients. It concluded that 11.9% of those with long COVID have CVD compared to 6.8% without this condition.

Specifically, it further revealed that long COVID was associated with a higher risk of chest pain and heart attack, but not coronary heart disease and stroke.

There is a growing belief that ‘sugar feeds cancer.’ Because of this, many people think that stopping sugar and carbohydrates completely can starve cancer cells and help defeat the disease. However, the trend may have side effects. This half-truth is becoming dangerous for many patients. This trend is making it even more difficult for patients to cope with the side effects of chemotherapy.

This fact is not entirely unscientific, but it is incomplete. In 1924, the German scientist Otto Warburg found that cancer cells consume more glucose than normal cells. This phenomenon is known as the Warburg Effect.

This finding has subsequently been validated in numerous studies. This is also the reason why cancer cells appear clearly in PET-CT scans. They absorb glucose-like substances more aggressively than normal cells. But this does not mean cancer can be “starved” by reducing sugar in food.

Why The Body Still Needs Glucose?

Glucose is an essential fuel for the human body. The brain, heart, red blood cells, and immune system all depend on it.

If a person completely stops eating carbohydrates, the body starts producing glucose on its own. It breaks down muscles and proteins to make energy. This process is known as gluconeogenesis. This means the cancer cells still receive fuel, but the patient’s body becomes weaker day by day. This condition is described as ‘cancer cachexia.’

In this condition, body weight and muscle mass reduce rapidly. Such patients often cannot tolerate chemotherapy and surgery properly. In some cases, their protein levels and white blood cell counts had dropped too much.

As a result, doctors had to delay treatment, reduce medicine doses, or even stop some treatment cycles. Irony is painful. In trying to starve cancer, patients sometimes end up weakening their own bodies so much that proper treatment becomes difficult.

In my clinic, I see it almost every week. In such a case, a cancer patient walks in visibly frail. She almost had lost several kilograms over the past month. When I asked about her diet, her IT professional son said that she has cut out sugar entirely. The reason behind this was the same reel-based knowledge about sugar and cancer cells. His son strictly follows this half-truth. Due to her weakness, we had to push back her treatment for a few weeks.

What Cancer Patients Should Eat

We simply suggest avoiding foods that rapidly increase blood sugar levels. These include refined sugar, sweets, soft drinks, maida, and highly processed foods. We advise cancer patients to eat complex carbohydrates, whole grains, pulses, vegetables, healthy fats, and enough protein. The best way is not to cut sugar entirely, but to lower the glycemic load.

Will Fasting help?

Some animal studies have shown the benefits of fasting during cancer treatment. However, there is still not enough evidence in humans. For patients who are already weak or losing weight rapidly, long fasting can become harmful.

The Goal Is to Stay Strong During Treatment

Cancer cells use more glucose, but starving the body cannot stop cancer. If you want to help your body, then avoid refined sugar and junk food, but continue eating balanced meals. Because sufficient protein and calories are extremely important. Practising long fasting without medical advice is harmful. The goal should be to keep the body stable and strong, not weak.

The purpose of cancer nutrition is to nourish the patient, not to starve them. Proper nutrition helps the body tolerate treatment and fight disease more effectively. What is needed is to reduce the intake of refined sugar and foods with a high glycemic index, not to declare every carbohydrate an enemy. After all, one cannot win the battle against disease by weakening the body.

A new oral weight-loss drug is showing promising results for people living with obesity or who are overweight. In a phase II clinical trial published in Nature Medicine, participants taking the experimental medication aleniglipron lost up to 12% of their body weight over 36 weeks.

The study included contributions from Robert Kushner, MD, professor emeritus of medicine at Northwestern University and a longtime expert in obesity treatment.

Aleniglipron belongs to the GLP-1 family of drugs, the same class as popular medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy. These treatments help people lose weight by mimicking a natural hormone that reduces appetite, increases feelings of fullness, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.

What makes aleniglipron different is that it comes in pill form. Most currently available GLP-1 medications require injections and often need special storage, which can make them less convenient and more difficult for some patients to access.

Researchers believe an oral option could make treatment easier for many people. Because aleniglipron is a small-molecule drug—meaning it is chemically manufactured rather than peptide-based—it can be produced more efficiently and potentially at a lower cost.

“Aleniglipron is different because it’s a small molecule that can be taken with or without food,” Kushner said. “Most medicines people take every day, from aspirin to blood pressure drugs, are small molecules. That also creates opportunities to combine it with other treatments in the future.”

If further studies confirm its safety and effectiveness, aleniglipron could offer a more convenient alternative to injectable GLP-1 medications and help expand access to obesity treatment.

Why Is GLP-1 Drug A Medical Breakthrough?

Dr Shubham Vatsya explains that it took 20 years of research for scientists to come up with these medicines. This drug underwent proper lengthy trials, and have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "which is not obtained by giving any bribe".

He also noted that when a person is not able to lose weight, Ozempic and drugs alike give a "head start" to them, along with a hope.

Talking about side effects, he says that every drug has its side effects, this is where a doctor's role comes in.

"Now, the person who is not able to lose weight, if you tell him 'you hit 100 kg bench press', he will break his shoulder. He needs a kickstart somewhere. This is what weight loss drugs allow," he says.

He also points out that the scientists who made GLP-1 agonists got a Nobel Prize, which "cannot be a scam". This is what makes weight loss drugs truly different.

Also Read: Raising Sons Linked to Faster Cognitive Decline in Later Life, Study Find

What Are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 Drugs stand for Glucagon-like peptide 1, a naturally occurring hormones that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite after eating. It was first identified almost 50 years ago and scientists have since uncovered its role in type 2 diabetes.