How does time-restricted eating (TRE) improve metabolic health beyond weight loss?
TRE, such as 14:10 or 16:8 fasting windows, aligns food intake with circadian rhythms. It reduces insulin resistance, lowers inflammation, and enhances autophagy-even without caloric restriction-according to studies from Salk Institute and others.
What blood biomarkers should I monitor annually beyond routine CBC and sugar tests?
Include hs-CRP (chronic inflammation), LP(a) (atherosclerosis risk), vitamin D, homocysteine, and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio. These can reveal hidden risks for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases early.
Can psychological resilience impact immune function?
Yes. Higher resilience (e.g., via cognitive reappraisal, optimism training) is linked with reduced cortisol output and better immune surveillance (higher NK cell activity). The field of psychoneuroimmunology strongly supports this mind-body link..
How do gut microbes influence mental health?
Through the gut-brain axis, microbiota affect neurotransmitter production (like serotonin, GABA) and modulate inflammation and stress responses. Dysbiosis is linked to anxiety, depression, and even neurodegenerative conditions.
Does personalised nutrition based on genetics and microbiome actually work?
Yes, early data (e.g., PREDICT and ZOE studies) show that individuals respond differently to the same foods due to genetic SNPs, microbiome profiles, and metabolic rates. Precision nutrition is likely the future of diet therapy.
Author: Dr Jay Deshmukh
Dr Jay Deshmukh is Chief Physician and Director, Sunflower Hospital, Nagpur Honorary Physician to Honorable Governor of Maharashtra and PondicherryCentral. Dr Jay Deshmukh is an M.B.B.S., M.C.P.S., F.C.P.S., M.N.A.M.S., MD From Internal Medicine – Bombay and New Delhi.
