A recent seminar in India brought together experts to discuss the crucial role of gut health and millets in combating nutritional deficiencies and chronic diseases. The event highlighted the importance of gut health in addressing nutritional deficiencies and chronic diseases, stressing practical dietary changes for improved public health outcomes.
The seminar, titled ‘Gut, Microbiome & Millets: The Inflammation Fix’, was hosted by the Celiac Society of India and the Indian Coalition for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, in partnership with Illness to Wellness. Dr Vinod Paul, Member of NITI AAYOG and Ms Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Union Minister, advocated for balanced eating for improved gut health and the importance of eating millets regularly at the event.
Dr Paul stressed the need for behavioral change, shifting to nutritious foods like millets instead of processed ones. He noted that millets benefit both health and the environment, and urged teachers, parents, and caregivers to focus on children’s diets, obesity, and overall lifestyle. Dr Lekhi stressed the need for a millet revolution, highlighting their historical significance and importance in addressing nutritional deficiencies.
Speakers at the seminar discussed the disruption of microbiome balance caused by commonly eaten grains and highlighted the benefits of ancient, anti-inflammatory, gut-friendly grains like millets. Dr Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr Dang’s Lab, emphasized the importance of diet and highlighted the triple burden of malnutrition. Dr Kapil Yadav, a faculty member at AIIMS New Delhi, stated that anaemia is not just a medical issue but one rooted in nutrition, and highlighted the gut’s role as a critical gatekeeper.
The seminar concluded with a call to action for adopting millets and prioritizing gut health as vital steps towards achieving better health outcomes and preventing chronic diseases. Experts stressed that gut health impacts lifestyle diseases profoundly, and that bacteria play a vital role in breaking down fiber and producing essential vitamins.
