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2 years ago

Dear Sanchi anand, Thank you for the question

A healthy lifestyle management including a good balanced diet, adequate hydration, regular physical activity and hygiene & stress management is key to maintain a good digestive health. It is also important to ensure adequate fiber intake which is essential for a healthy gut and overall digestive health.
Gut microbiota includes a diverse community of bacteria in human gut, they carry out various functions that influences our overall health. The functions include, nutrient metabolism, natural defense against infections and regulation of immune system.
For managing a healthy gut it is important to consume a diversified balanced duet at regular intervals, maintain hydration and include dietary fibre in your daily diet. It is also important to engage in regular physical activity and include prebiotic and probiotics in your daily diet Prebiotics are food components that confer benefits to the host by selectively stimulating the growth of beneficial gut microbiota whereas Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that incur positive effects on human health. They are present in the human gut and are also taken through food products such as yogurt, fermented foods, dietary supplements etc.
Prebiotics naturally exist in different foods including, asparagus, garlic, chicory, onion, honey, banana, barley, tomato, rye, soybean, human’s and cow’s milk, peas, beans, etc.
The common sources of probiotics are yogurt, cultured buttermilk and cheese. The other foods that are produced by bacterial fermentation are, tempeh, sauerkraut, sour dough, bread etc. Look for food products labelled ‘Probiotic’, ‘Probiotic food’, ‘Contains Probiotics’, ‘with Probiotics’ etc.
Daily RDA for fiber as per NIN, ICMR is: 25g per day for females & 30g per day for male
Here are a few guidelines for general digestive health.
- Do not skip your meals, have small frequent meals at regular intervals.
- Eat a well-balanced diet including all groups.
- Include good amount of fiber in your daily balanced, some of the god sources of fiber include whole grain, multigrain, millets, fruits and vegetables, nuts etc.
- Include a minimum of 5 of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit in a day as they are good sources of fiber and essential nutrients such as vitamin A, Vitamin B, iron, zinc etc.
- Include prebiotics such as banana, soyabean, garlic etc., good sources of probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk etc., to maintain a healthy gut.
- Avoid large, heavy meals, and practice portion guidance.
- Deep fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
- Try to limit the foods like caffeine, spices, raw onions etc.
- Food should be eaten slowly and chewed well as fast eating provokes gastric feeding reflex.
- Avoid lying down immediately after your meal consumption
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day
- Have a gap of minimum 2-3 hours between bedtime and your last meal
- Engage in physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes for at least 5 days a week
- Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality.

Immune system, a network of intricate stages and pathways in the body that protects us against these harmful microbes as well as certain diseases. It recognizes foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, and parasites and takes immediate action. Some of the factors that can affect the immune system are Environmental toxins (smoke and other particles contributing to air pollution, excessive alcohol), Obesity, Poor diet, Chronic mental stress, Lack of sleep and rest.

However, a balanced diet consisting of a range of vitamins and minerals, combined with healthy lifestyle factors like adequate sleep and exercise and low stress, support the body to fight infection and disease.

Here are few tips to help boosting the immunity

- Vitamins such as vitamin A, B6, B12 and C are known to support immune functions in the body. Good sources include, yellow-orange fruits & vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fortified cereals, eggs etc.
- Vitamin E, Zinc, selenium, iron, copper and folic acid play a vital role and help the immune system in several ways: working as an antioxidant to protect healthy cells, supporting growth and activity of immune cells, and producing antibodies. Dietary sources for these nutrients include nuts, seeds, lean meat, sea food, chickpeas, ragi etc.
- A high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes appear to support the growth and maintenance of beneficial microbes. Certain helpful microbes break down fibers into short chain fatty acids, which have been shown to stimulate immune cell activity.
- Gut microbiota helps regulate metabolism and energy balance, include banana, garlic, yogurt, buttermilk, soybean etc., which are good sources of prebiotics and prebiotics in your daily balanced diet to maintain healthy gut.

Here are few guidelines for healthy balanced diet that can be considered:
-Have a Diversified Balanced Diet that includes all the food groups in the right quantity which thereby provides you with all the essential macro and micro nutrients that your body requires daily for proper functioning.
- Try to incorporate the My plate Concept by dividing your plate into 4 quadrants, fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, the other two quadrants with cereals and protein. A small quantity of dairy intake is recommended.
-Begin your day with a well-balanced breakfast as it is an important meal of the day.
-Avoid skipping meals. Also, try to avoid fasting and feasting too often.
- Consume small frequent meals, with healthy snacking options.
-Consume minimum 5 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit as they are rich in Fiber, essential minerals & Vitamins as well as they give you a feeling of satiety.
-Try to consume more of Whole grains, Millets and Multigrain foods as they are a good source of fiber.
-Limit intake of deep-fried foods. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
-Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before sleep time.
-Drink adequate amount of water (minimum 8 glasses) of water daily to keep yourself well hydrated
-Engage in at least 30-45 minutes brisk walk/physical activity of moderate intensity at least 5 days a week.
-Try and follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and Quality.


For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.
Hope we have answered your query.
Wishing you a great day ahead

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