A Clinical Trial in India
India, with over 101 million people suffering from diabetes, is considered the diabetes capital of the world. In recent years, the sale of anti-diabetic medication has witnessed a significant increase. However, a new clinical trial conducted in India suggests that nourishing the gut can be a powerful tool in preventing chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
The research, conducted by Leucine Rich Bio, a microbiome-based company in Bangalore, utilized their flagship technology, BugSpeaks. This gut microbiome profiling test provides personalized nutritional recommendations based on an individual's gut microbiota profile.
The human microbiome, consisting of trillions of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in maintaining health, digestion, immunity, and regulating the central nervous system. An imbalance in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, can lead to various diseases, including digestive problems, mental health issues, and menstrual problems.
The study involved participants who were given personalized diets based on their gut microbiome profiles. After 90 days, those who followed the personalized diet showed significant improvements in various health parameters. Their average HbA1c levels (average blood glucose levels for the last two to three months) decreased, systolic blood pressure was reduced, and C-reactive protein (an inflammation marker) was lowered.
The study also found an increase in beneficial microorganisms and a decrease in non-beneficial species in the gut microbiota of participants who followed the personalized diet. This highlights the positive impact of gut microbiota-based personalized nutrition on health.
Leucine Rich Bio plans to conduct more such trials in the coming months for other diseases. They believe that gut microbiota modulation through nutrition can be a new dimension in personalized healthcare.
The BugSpeaks profiling test currently costs around Rs 10,000. The company aims to further reduce the price to Rs 5000-6000 per test in the next one to two years, making it more accessible to a wider population.
Leucine Rich Bio, South Asia's first microbiome company, started in 2014 with the aim of providing data-based solutions in oncology. They pivoted to work on the microbiome domain and launched South Asia's first gut microbiome test in 2018.
This clinical trial offers promising evidence that nourishing the gut can be a powerful tool in preventing and managing chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. Personalized nutrition based on gut microbiome analysis could become a valuable addition to the healthcare landscape in the future.