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.

While doctors across the world recommend ensuring that fluoride and other protective minerals make up your toothpaste, your body produces its very own amino acid that protect your entire dental cavity.

Arginine, an amino acid that is already present in saliva, can turn bacteria from damaging to protective in your mouth, a study has found.

When sugars from food are broken down by the many bacteria living in the mouth, acids are produced that gradually damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. This is known as dental caries. Over time, this acid dissolves tooth enamel and causes cavities.

However, researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark have discovered that regular arginine treatment can significantly reduced the overall acidity levels in the mouth and prevent tooth decay.

Yumi Del Rey, microbiologist at Aarhus, said: ""Our results revealed differences in acidity of the biofilms, with the ones treated with arginine being significantly more protected against acidification caused by sugar metabolism."

How Did The Study Take Place?

Volunteers were then asked to instructed to dip the dentures in a sugar solution for 5 minutes, immediately followed by distilled water (as placebo) or arginine for 30 minutes, one on each side. This was to be repeated three times a day, with arginine treatment done on the same side each time.

Sebastian Schlafer, professor at the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, explained: "The aim was to investigate the impact of arginine treatment on the acidity, type of bacteria, and the carbohydrate matrix of biofilms from patients with active caries."

After 4 days of this process, the biofilms were developed and the dentures were removed for detailed analysis. The researchers compared dental plaques grown on customized dentures on both sides of each participant's mouth using a special pH-sensitive dye called C-SNARF-4.

How Does Arginine Work?

Additionally, the team also began to look into how arginine might be reducing acidity, by taking stock of which bacteria and sugars were present in each sample.

Biofilms treated with arginine showed lower levels of a sugar called fucose, while another sugar, galactose, was concentrated towards the outer surface of the biofilm, meaning both sugars were away from the tooth enamel.

After analyzing the DNA of bacteria present, the researchers found that arginine treatment significantly reduced a specific population of Streptococcus bacteria known to produce acid, while slightly increasing other bacterial strains that can metabolize arginine.

The scientists noted that while more research is needed into the arginine's effectiveness, the amino acid could be a promising new addition to oral hygiene products such as toothpaste or mouthwash.

For decades, a cancer diagnosis often came with fear and uncertainty. Today, that narrative is slowly changing. New national data shows that more people diagnosed with cancer in the United States are living longer than ever before, reflecting steady progress in prevention, early detection, and treatment.

For the first time, the five-year survival rate across all cancers has reached 70 percent. That means seven out of ten people diagnosed with cancer now live at least five years after diagnosis, a significant improvement from the mid-1970s, when survival hovered around 50 percent. This shift marks one of the most encouraging milestones in modern cancer care.

Why Survival Rates Are Rising

Several factors are driving this improvement. Reduced tobacco use has played a major role, particularly in lowering deaths from lung and other smoking-related cancers. At the same time, better screening tools are catching cancers earlier, when treatment is more likely to work. Advances in therapies, including targeted drugs, immunotherapy, and improved chemotherapy regimens, have also transformed outcomes for many patients.

What stands out is that survival gains are not limited to less aggressive cancers. Even cancers once considered highly fatal, such as lung cancer, liver cancer, and certain blood cancers, are seeing meaningful improvements. In some advanced-stage cancers where survival was previously measured in months, people are now living years longer than expected.

Living Longer, Even With Advanced Cancer

One of the most striking trends is improved survival among people with metastatic cancer, where the disease has spread to other parts of the body. While these cancers remain difficult to treat, progress is undeniable. Survival rates for metastatic lung cancer, for example, have increased severalfold since the 1990s. Similar gains have been seen in metastatic colorectal cancers.

These improvements suggest that cancer is increasingly being managed as a long-term condition rather than an immediate terminal illness for many patients. Continued research has played a critical role in making this possible.

The Role of Research and Funding

The steady rise in survival has not happened by chance. It reflects decades of scientific investment, clinical trials, and innovation. However, experts warn that recent cuts to health research funding could slow future progress. Breakthroughs in cancer care rely heavily on sustained support for research, and disruptions to that pipeline could affect outcomes years down the line.

While the current numbers are encouraging, they also serve as a reminder that progress must be protected and expanded.

Persistent Gaps and Disparities

Despite overall gains, cancer outcomes are not improving equally for everyone. The report highlights ongoing racial and ethnic disparities in both cancer incidence and survival. Certain populations continue to experience higher death rates and lower survival, often due to limited access to early screening, timely diagnosis, and high-quality treatment.

Lung cancer is expected to remain the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the coming years. While smoking remains the biggest risk factor, an increasing number of people who have never smoked are also being diagnosed, raising new questions about environmental and genetic risks. Some experts argue that screening guidelines need to evolve to reflect these changes.

A Growing Community of Survivors

As survival improves, the number of people living with a history of cancer is rapidly growing. There are already over 18 million cancer survivors in the US, and that number is expected to cross 22 million within the next decade. This brings new challenges.

Survivors often face long-term physical, emotional, and financial effects, and the healthcare system is still catching up when it comes to consistent survivorship care. Many primary care providers are not trained to monitor cancer recurrence or manage late treatment effects, leaving gaps in follow-up care.

Covid is returning, as the National Health Service, NHS UK warned that there has been a "bounce back" in respiratory viruses this winter, along with COVID too on the rise. While UK was already struggling with flu and norovirus on the rise, cases of COVID have also risen. The latest data from the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) show that the number of patients in hospital beds with COVID per day has risen from 0.87 per 100,000, as compared with 0.77 per 100,000 the previous week.

NHS national medical director Professor Meghana Pandit said: “It’s clear that the worst is far from over for the NHS this winter, with hospitals again experiencing a rise in patients admitted with flu and other respiratory virus cases last week.”

What New COVID Variants Are We Dealing With In 2026?

Since the pandemic, there have been many variants of COVID. The virus has continued to evolve. Two new variants that caused the spike in cases in autumn were XFG, known as Stratus, and NB.1.1, known as Nimbus.

Stratus: It is a subvariant of Omicron variant and made of previous variants LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. It was first detected in a sample on January 27, 2025. Whereas, Nimbus was first detected on January 22, 2025. It also originated from the same omicron variant, which was the reason for spike in 2023.

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes stratus as a "variant under monitoring" after several countries in South East Asia reported a rise in new cases and hospitalizations with this variant being detected.

COVID Symptoms 2026: Fatigue Emerges As The Most Common Symptom

Among studies that focused on how symptoms appear together, fatigue stood out as the most consistently reported issue. It often occurred alone or alongside problems such as muscle and joint pain, brain fog, or breathlessness. Other symptom pairings that appeared frequently included loss of smell and taste, anxiety with depression, and various forms of musculoskeletal pain.

When researchers classified patients based on affected organ systems, respiratory problems were the most widespread, seen in about 47% of long COVID patients. Neurological symptoms followed at 31%, while gastrointestinal issues were reported by 28%. The authors stressed that these percentages reflect how often these clusters appeared within long COVID cases studied, not how common they are in the general population.

A smaller number of studies sorted patients by how severe their symptoms were, dividing them into mild, moderate, or severe categories using symptom scores, symptom counts, or quality-of-life measures. Three studies used clinical indicators for classification, including abnormal triglyceride levels and signs of restricted lung function on imaging.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here are the common COVID symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• New loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

How To Know If You Have COVID?

CDC says, look out for these signs:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Lips and nail beds may appear pale, grey or blue