When we think about ageing, we usually imagine wrinkles, weaker muscles, slower movement or low energy. Scientists are now looking at another part of the body for clues about how we age: the gut. The gut houses trillions of microorganisms that work with our food system and many other biological processes. Together, these microorganisms form the gut microbiome. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sandip Banerjee, founder of Pelvinic Micro-Hospital, senior laparoscopic colorectal surgeon, proctologist, and bariatric surgeon, New Delhi, shared things that may influence digestion, immunity and healthy ageing.
1. Everyone has a gut microbiome
“Your gut microbiome is highly individual,” highlighted Dr Sandip Banerjee. Diet, environment, lifestyle, medicines and health conditions can all change the gut microbiome. Yet many people share microbial functions, creating what researchers call a functional core gut microbiome.
