The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living in your intestines. These little helpers break down food, support your immune system, and even impact your mood. A healthy gut keeps your body running smoothly, but when it's out of balance, you might feel tired, get sick more easily, or struggle with digestion. That's why taking care of your gut is key to maintaining your health. New ways to improve your gut health, like personalised probiotics and digital health tools, are making it easier to feel your best, says Dr Palok Aich, Dean of R&D and gut microbiome researcher at NISER Bhubaneswar. "We are in the midst of a gut health revolution. The ability to map individual microbiomes and personalise probiotics is helping us address complex health issues like never before. It's precision medicine at its best, allowing us to move beyond generic treatments and into more tailored, effective solutions for each person," says Dr Aich. Personalised probiotics, tailored specifically to your unique gut, and smart digital tools are now helping people manage their health in ways that suit their own bodies, explains Dr. Aich. "No more guessing what supplements to take or sticking to generic advice. Now, you can get personalised care based on your gut's exact needs," he adds. The following approaches are helping people take better care of their gut and, in turn, their whole body, explains Dr Aich.

• AI in diagnostics: AI (artificial intelligence) is now used to make gut health tests faster and cheaper. It helps cut costs and waiting times, offering faster insights into your gut health. For example, Gut Function Tests have lowered the price of testing by up to 70%, bringing personalised gut care to more people.

 

• AI-based chatbots: Digital personal assistants powered by AI, like GutChat, provide on-demand gut health advice. These chatbots make it easy to manage your gut wellness right from home by answering specific questions and providing tailored health recommendations.

• Personalised probiotics: Instead of taking generic supplements, personalised probiotics are now designed based on your unique gut bacteria. With data from gut health tests, these probiotics are customised to address your specific imbalances, leading to better overall results.

• Gut microbes as health markers: Research shows that changes in your gut bacteria can signal health problems before you even notice symptoms. By studying these changes, scientists can predict the risk of certain diseases, allowing for earlier treatment and prevention.

• Integration with digital therapeutics: Digital tools are being used along with traditional treatments to track and improve health. By combining microbiome data with personalised lifestyle advice, healthcare providers can give more accurate recommendations and ongoing support.

 

• Personalised nutrition: AI is now helping analyze each person's gut bacteria to provide customised diet suggestions. This means you can better understand how different foods and probiotics affect your health, making it easier to create a nutrition plan that fits your needs.