Credit: Canva
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:
Credit: AI generated image
Convenience foods have become the defining feature of urbanization. From ready-to-eat breakfasts to microwavable dinners and takeaway lunches, packaged food fits into all our lives.
But behind this convenience, what lies underneath are the tiny plastic particles, also referred to as microplastics, which are accentuating health concerns across the globe. Unknowingly, these microplastics are seeping through the plastic cutlery, food packaging, etc., potentially into our bodies. Plastics have been widely used for ages due to their higher affordability, durability, and extensive applications in various industries.
As per a recent literature quoted by Zhang et al. 2025, only about 20% of the plastic waste produced is recycled, whereas the rest is either abandoned in landfills or dispersed into the environment. Microplastics are the new emerging pollutant category in the modern era, raising prominent concerns in both health & environmental contexts. As per scientific literature, microplastics are plastic fragments with a diameter of less than 5mm.
Plastic food packaging dominates the global food system, since it can be designed in any form (container, wrapper, pouch, etc) while keeping food fresh for longer periods.
Microplastics are released from food packaging(s), especially when they are exposed to prolonged heat, abrasive forces, and undue environmental stresses. Heating and/or reheating food in plastic containers or choosing to decant packaged food commodities in plastic containers and maintaining them under unfavorable circumstances can all increase the likelihood of microplastic release.
Bottled water has also proven to release thousands of microplastic particles into the water they contain when exposed to sunlight/ heat. We never give a thought to such bottles being sold by the roadside vendors, wherein these plastic bottles are hung for indefinite days on that kiosk.
Those bottles are in constant light exposure all day without even pondering about the ill effects it may cause to the consumers. Similarly, single-use tea bags have also been shown to release billions of microplastics when steeped in hot water. These findings highlight a troubling paradox that products marketed for convenience and safety may be introducing new risks that consumers never thought about.
The health implications of ingesting microplastics remain an active area of research, but early findings are enough to raise concerns. Studies have demonstrated microplastics in human blood, lungs, and even placental tissue. This suggests that upon ingestion, these particles may not simply pass through the body. Instead, they would accumulate in tissues or interact with biological systems in ways that are not yet fully explored.
One of the major health implications pertaining to microplastic ingestion is inflammation. These particles can trigger irritation in tissues, eventually impacting the immune responses.
Plastics often contain additives in the form of plasticizers, etc., which may disrupt hormone function and impair the normal cellular function.
Infants and children are more often vulnerable as their food is also packed in plastic packaging or containers (like plastic sippers, feeding bottles, baby food pouches, etc.), raising long-term exposure risk during critical stages of growth.
The issues relating to plastic usage also reflect a broader tension in the modern era, where convenience seems to intersect with health! For people or families juggling work and financial burdens, avoiding packaged foods mostly sounds unrealistic.
Still, some small and consistent actions can help us reduce the exposure to microplastics, like opting for glass or paper packaging wherever possible. Avoiding heating food in plastic containers or opting for biodegradable packaging options could prove to be beneficial in the future. Though microplastics are invisible to our naked eyes, what we do next to curb them would help us shape a healthy future.
Credit: Canva
Are you aware? Scientific insights are helping people of all ages understand heart health better and take the right steps at the right time. Heart health is no longer a concern only for older adults. So, people across all age groups are at risk of developing Heart Disease because of changing lifestyles, stress, and unhealthy habits.
So, here, science plays a pivotal role. With the help of improved research, advanced diagnostics, and increased awareness, science is helping individuals understand their risk factors early and take preventive steps before serious complications arise.
Heart disease is commonly seen in people of all age groups. So, according to scientific research, heart disease develops gradually over time. Early markers such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, and poor lifestyle habits can begin affecting the body even in the 20s or 30s and lead to a poor quality of life.
Today, advanced screening tools and regular health check-ups make it possible to detect these risks early and initiate timely intervention.
For youngsters, science tends to highlight the importance of prevention through healthy eating, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and alcohol. When it comes to middle-aged adults, monitoring conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol can help save the heart.
In older adults, it will be necessary to manage existing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure and prevent heart attacks or stroke.
Moreover, you will also have to understand that genetics also plays an important role. Scientific advancements help doctors identify individuals with a family history of heart disease and guide them with individualized treatment care plans for outcomes.
Currently, you will be surprised to know that modern science has also shed light on the importance of lifestyle in maintaining heart health. So, opting for wearable devices, health apps, and regular screenings helps track heart rate, physical activity, and prevent any concerning heart problems in people.
Robotic surgeries are now enabling heart patients to recover more quickly and provide benefits such as shorter hospital stays, minimal blood loss, and are extremely safe.
Hence, by understanding risk factors, adhering to healthy habits, and undergoing regular check-ups as advised by the doctor on a yearly basis, individuals can take control of their heart health.
Credit: Canva
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is no longer a rare disease in India. Over the last decade, gastroenterologists across the country have seen a steady rise in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the two main forms of IBD.
Yet despite increasing numbers, awareness about the disease remains surprisingly poor. Many patients continue to suffer silently for years because their symptoms are misunderstood, ignored, or mistaken for other common intestinal illnesses.
IBD is a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract caused by an abnormal immune response. Unlike routine stomach infections, it is not simply a “bad stomach” or food-related issue.
Patients commonly experience persistent diarrhea, blood in stools, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In children and young adults, it may also affect growth, nutrition, and quality of life.
Unfortunately, in India, these symptoms are often initially treated as recurrent food poisoning, piles, irritable bowel syndrome, or intestinal infections. Many patients repeatedly receive antibiotics without proper evaluation.
Some even undergo unnecessary treatments before finally reaching a specialist. This delay in diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including intestinal strictures, fistulas, malnutrition, hospitalization, and the need for surgery.
One major reason for underdiagnosis is the overlap of symptoms with intestinal tuberculosis, which remains common in India. Distinguishing Crohn’s disease from intestinal TB can sometimes be extremely challenging, even for experienced doctors.
As a result, some patients are unnecessarily started on anti-tubercular therapy while their actual disease continues to progress silently.
Another important issue is stigma. Many patients hesitate to discuss bowel-related symptoms openly due to embarrassment. Young individuals, especially, may ignore rectal bleeding or chronic diarrhea for months, assuming it is temporary or stress-related. Social media misinformation and self-medication further worsen the problem.
The good news is that treatment options for IBD have improved tremendously. Modern therapies, including biologic medications, advanced endoscopy, nutritional therapy, and personalized treatment strategies, now allow many patients to live completely normal and productive lives. Early diagnosis is the key.
Persistent bowel symptoms lasting more than a few weeks should never be ignored, especially if associated with bleeding, weight loss, anemia, or nighttime symptoms.
India urgently needs greater public awareness about IBD. Equally important is timely referral to gastroenterologists and access to proper diagnostic facilities such as colonoscopy, imaging, and histopathology. IBD is not merely a stomach problem — it is a lifelong immune-mediated disease that requires understanding, long-term care, and compassionate management.
© 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited