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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maintaining a balanced gut microbiome is crucial for overall health. Here are some strategies to support gut health:
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In today’s hyper-connected world, access to health information has never been easier. Yet, ironically, the ability to understand and apply that information remains one of the biggest barriers to better health outcomes.
This is where health literacy comes in, not just the ability to read a pamphlet or follow a doctor’s prescription, but the broader skill of accessing, comprehending, and using health information to make informed decisions for oneself, one’s family, and one’s community.
While definitions vary, there is consensus that health literacy is multi-dimensional. It involves confidence, critical thinking, and practical skills, knowing when to seek care, how to evaluate health claims, and how to follow treatment correctly. In essence, health literacy is the foundation of preventive care and treatment adherence, and its absence can be devastating.
The scale of the problem in India is stark: nearly 90 percent of Indians have low health literacy. This gap directly affects patient outcomes, from delayed diagnoses and poor compliance with treatment to preventable complications and higher healthcare costs.
Several factors explain this reality:
Low health literacy doesn’t just harm individuals; it amplifies inequities and strains the entire healthcare ecosystem. It also worsens misinformation, as people turn to social media or word-of-mouth for guidance, often encountering unverified or unsafe advice.
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Blockbuster drug Ozempic, known for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, has a surprising side effect. A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry showed that the GLP-1 receptor agonists might prevent worsening of depression and anxiety.
People with diabetes or obesity are generally more likely than the general population to suffer from depression and anxiety. It is because both diabetes and obesity increase the risk of mental ill-health, and vice versa.
The findings showed that people with diabetes using semaglutide had a substantial decrease in hospitalizations and sick leave due to mental illness, including less worsening of depression, anxiety, and self-harm.
“Our findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs, particularly semaglutide, might contribute to better mental health in people with diabetes and obesity, but since this was an observational study, controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the results,” said Jari Tiihonen, specialist physician and professor at the Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet.
The research, led by an international team from Griffith University, the Karolinska Institutet, and the University of Eastern Finland, tracked Swedish national registers between 2009 and 2022.
It included 95,490 people, of which GLP-1 receptor agonists were used by 22,480 individuals during the follow-up period.
Semaglutide was associated with a decreased risk of worsening
Patients using semaglutide experienced a 42 percent lower risk of hospitalization for mental health issues during periods of use, compared to periods when they were not taking the drug.
More specifically, the risk reduction was 44 per cent for sickness absence or hospital care due to depression, 38 per cent for anxiety disorders, and 47 per cent for substance use.
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The team also found some benefits with Liraglutide. The drug was associated with an 18 per cent lower risk of sickness absence and hospital care due to psychiatric reasons.
Semaglutide works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite and blood sugar. It slows gastric emptying and makes you feel fuller longer. It also signals the brain to reduce hunger and cravings, and triggers the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high.
They work by increasing insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner, decreasing the liver's production of glucagon, and slowing down the emptying of the stomach, which helps lower blood sugar levels after a meal. They also act on the brain to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake.
Read More: Can Semaglutide Help Fight Cancer In The Brain?
In people with type 2 diabetes, notes Harvard Health, the body's cells are resistant to the effects of insulin and the body does not produce enough insulin, or both. This is when GLP-1 agonists stimulate the pancreas to release insulin and suppress the release of another hormone called glucagon.
These drugs also act in the brain to reduce hunger and act on the stomach to delay emptying, so you feel full for a longer time. These effects can lead to weight loss, which can be an important part of managing diabetes.
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In the wake of a young doctor from Chandigarh accusing a well-known private hospital of unnecessarily admitting patients to Intensive Care Units (ICUs), it is imperative to understand who truly requires critical care.
In a widely shared video posted on the social media platform Instagram, Dr Prabhleen Kaur alleged that the hospital is making the patients remain admitted in the ICU for as long as possible to mint money.
The doctor did not mention the name of the hospital. And HealthandMe could not independently verify the details and the authenticity of the post.
However, the incident reignited concerns over accountability, patient safety, and standards of care in the country.
Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Sachna Shetty, Consultant Emergency Medicine at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, said that: "ICU admissions are for patients with life-threatening conditions needing intensive support".
"This includes shock, respiratory failure, neurological emergencies, cardiac issues, and multi-organ dysfunction," the doctor added.
The NHS UK explains that intensive care units (ICUs) are specialist hospital wards that provide treatment and monitoring for people who are very ill.
They're staffed with specially trained healthcare professionals and contain sophisticated monitoring equipment.
Also called critical care units (CCUs) or intensive therapy units (ITUs), it is required in cases where a person is seriously ill and requires intensive treatment and close monitoring.
Most people in an ICU have problems with one or more organs. For example, they may be unable to breathe on their own. Some common reasons include:
"ICU beds are limited, reserved for those who'll benefit most. Decisions are time-sensitive, based on triage and clinical scoring. It's about who needs advanced life support, not just who looks critical. Fair use of resources is key," the doctor added.
India’s ICU admission guidelines—issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in January 2024 — clearly defines who should and should not be admitted to an ICU. According to the guidelines:
The guidelines stress the importance of physiological parameters returning to near-normal or baseline status.
Furthermore, reasonable resolution and stability of the acute illness that led to ICU admission are essential factors.
Patient and family agreement for ICU discharge, particularly in cases where a treatment-limiting decision or palliative care is opted for, is also highlighted.
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