The next big thing in medicine is the ‘Gut Microbiome’: Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman & Chief of Gastroenterology, AIG Hospitals
Hyderabad, October 15, 2025: The FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), Hyderabad Chapter, organised a Health Conclave — Wellness 360, a colloquium on women’s health, in association with AIG Hospitals, at its Gachibowli campus on Tuesday.
Delivering the welcome address, Ms Prathibha Kunda, Chairperson, FLO Hyderabad, said: “Health isn’t just the absence of illness—it’s thriving in every dimension of life. True health is when your body, mind, and spirit are all in balance—that’s the power of 360-degree wellness.”
Eminent doctors including Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman & Chief of Gastroenterology, AIG Hospitals; Dr. G. V. Rao, Chief of Surgical Gastroenterology and Minimally Invasive Surgery, AIG; Dr. Rooma Sinha, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist, Apollo Health City; Dr. T. Subramaneshwar Rao, Senior Surgical Oncologist, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital; and Dr. Srinivas Kishore Sistla, Director & Head, Department of Otolaryngology, AIG Hospitals, participated in the conclave.
“The next big thing in medicine is the gut microbiome,” said Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy. It will be the future of medicine, he stated. “Our health depends not just on the heart, kidneys, or lungs—but on our gut health. The gut breaks down the food we eat and absorbs nutrients vital for body functions. Research now shows the gut microbiome influences every organ.”
He illustrated this with a striking example: “A friend’s family member was once booked for drunken driving despite never consuming alcohol. It was later diagnosed as Auto-Brewery Syndrome—a rare condition where the stomach produces alcohol due to an imbalance of gut bacteria. Once proven medically, the case was cleared in court.”
Dr Reddy explained that our gut contains billions of bacteria—both good and bad—across nearly a thousand species, ten times more than the number of human cells. “Factors like unnecessary caesarean births, lack of breastfeeding, and overuse of antibiotics can disrupt this balance. If bad bacteria dominate, it can lead to obesity and several chronic illnesses,” he said.
“If you’re eating right, exercising well, and still not losing weight, it could be because of bad bacteria. Some bacteria make us lazy, while others make us active,” he added.
Homemade yoghurt and fibre-rich foods act as probiotics and prebiotics, respectively, helping maintain gut health.
Dr. Reddy also shared that AIG Hospitals is collaborated with an Israeli nutrition institute to develop the Ind-Med Diet, blending Indian and Mediterranean nutrition principles.
Dr Reddy announced that AIG will soon introduce Smart Toilets, a cutting-edge technology that automatically collects and analyses urine and stool samples for continuous health monitoring.
“AIG will be the first hospital in India to install such Smart Toilets,” he said. “We are also setting up a dedicated Gut Microbial Laboratory to deepen research in this field.”
Dr G. V. Rao discussed the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine. “AI is here to stay. Doctors who learn AI will remain relevant. However, accountability must rest with the surgeon using the technology,” he said. He cautioned against the overuse of supplements, noting that only a few—like Vitamin D and essential fatty acids—are truly needed.
Dr Rooma Sinha emphasised preventive women’s health. “Women often meet gynaecologists only during pregnancy. Every woman should proactively manage five key issues—Abnormal Uterine Bleeding, PCOS, Pelvic Pain, Menopause & Osteoporosis, and Urinary Incontinence,” she said.
Dr T. Subramaneshwar Rao highlighted early cancer detection and vaccine availability as vital tools in cancer prevention and treatment.
Dr Srinivas Kishore Sistla spoke on sleep health. “Women’s sleep patterns differ from men’s—they face fragmented sleep during child-rearing years and poor sleep with age. Sleep affects immunity, mood, and long-term wellness,” he said.
Over 100 members of FLO Hyderabad attended the Conclave, which covered holistic perspectives on physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
