Do all diseases begin in the gut? Study says nourishing bowel can help prevent diabetes, hypertension

Do all diseases begin in the gut? Study says nourishing bowel can help prevent diabetes, hypertension

A recent study revealed that nourishing the gut can go a long way in preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The researchers found this in its first clinical trials.

The gut wall in the body is around 400 square metres in surface area and works more than just digesting food.(Image: Freepik)

New Delhi: An ancient Greek physician Hippocrates once stated, “All diseases begin in the gut”, but did you know that our gut can tell a lot about our overall health and diseases that we might be living with? Well, A recent study revealed that nourishing the gut can go a long way in preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The researchers found this in its first clinical trials.

The study was conducted in India by a microbiome-based company called Leucine Rich Bio situated in Bangalore. They used their technology called BugsSpeaks which is a gut microbiome profiling test that offers nutritional recommendations based on a person’s gut microbiota profile, reports Business Standard.

Importance of gut health

There are trillions of microorganisms and human microbiomes in the body that play a vital role in maintaining health, digestion and immunity and regulating the central nervous system. For the study, 30 adults in the age group of 42-65 were included in the trial. Among them, both males and females were presented with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol). All the patients were divided into two groups, one who received the BugSpeaks-based personalised diet, while the other a regular diet for 3 months.

According to the lead author of the study, Debojyoti Dhar, Co-Founder & Director (Business Development and Innovation), Leucine Rich Bio, those who were offered a personalised diet indicated improvement across various parameters when tested on Day 90 of the research.

It was noticed that their average HbA1c levels (average blood glucose levels for the last two to three months) were brought down from 8.30 to 6.67, while the systolic blood pressure was reduced by 14 per cent and the C reactive protein (an inflammation marker) was lowered by 20 per cent.

It is a peer review of the study in an international scientific journal.

6 common causes of digestive issues

1. Reflux

2. Gallstones

3. Peptic Ulcers

4. Ulcerative Colitis

5. Crohn’s Disease

6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome