Nepal, Feb. 5 -- Many people in Nepal are suffering from conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems and mental disorders. The focus for the prevention and treatment has always been on medications, changes in lifestyle and easy access to healthcare. However, we hear little about the importance of considering gut/intestinal health.

Gut health simply refers to the proper functioning and well-being of our intestines. Our gut is inhabited by trillions of microbes. Microbes are tiny, microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. They outnumber the cells in our body. The diverse community of microbes is termed the 'microbiome,' whereas the total population of microbes is known as the 'microbiota.'

Our gut is ho...