Revolution in Medicine: Modern medical science is constantly progressing and new inventions every day promise to change our lives. One of these researches is microbiome research, which has given a completely new direction to the health sector. The microbiome is often referred to as the “second genome” because it has a profound influence on our body’s susceptibility to diseases, their treatment, the likelihood of disease progression or decline, and response to medications. It is not limited to only one part of the body but is related to our entire lifestyle and health system. Today, the medical system is gradually moving away from traditional methods towards personalized medicine, where every patient will be treated based on the composition of the microbiome present in his intestine.
What is microbiome and why is it important
Billions of microorganisms are present in the human body. These include bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. These organisms are not harmful to our body but are necessary because they affect our digestive system, immune system, mental health and normal functioning of organs. This group is called microbiome. It would not be wrong to say that our body and microbiome work in partnership. If the balance of microbiome is disturbed, then the body can fall prey to many diseases and if it is kept healthy, then prevention of diseases is also possible. This is the reason why scientists are now studying it in depth and finding out how microbiome affects our health.
Personalized medicine: Different treatment for every patient
In old times, almost all patients were given the same medicines for the same disease. But gradually it started to be understood that the physical structure and microbiome of every patient is different. This is the reason why the same medicine works on one patient and does not affect anyone at all. Microbiome research has found a solution to this challenge. Now doctors can study the microbes present in the patient’s intestine to know which medicine will be most effective for him and which will not. In this way, now the treatment will be completely personalized, which will greatly increase the chances of the treatment being successful.
Microbiome based diagnostics and biomarkers
Detecting diseases in time has been the biggest challenge of medicine. But now the changes in the structure of the microbiome have started working as indicators of the disease i.e. biomarkers. For example, in the early stages of cancer, the structure of the intestinal microbes starts changing. Similarly, in kidney disease, the number of microorganisms producing harmful elements increases. Mental health diseases such as depression and anxiety have also been found to be related to the intestinal microbiome. This means that in the future, doctors will be able to study the microbiome of a patient to estimate which disease he is at risk of getting and how effective the treatment will be.
New therapies and modern treatment directions
Microbiome research has provided medical science with many new therapies. Probiotics and prebiotics are medicines or foods that work to keep the gut microbiome balanced. These promote good bacteria, which strengthens the digestive system and the immune system. Similarly, fecal microbiota transplantation i.e. FMT is a unique technique in which microbes removed from the intestine of a healthy person are transferred to a sick person. This process has been found to be effective in the treatment of many serious intestinal diseases and diseases like cancer. Apart from this, microbes are also being used to improve mental health. This is called psychobiotics and its aim is to reduce problems like depression and anxiety.
Role of microbiome in drug manufacturing
The important role of microbiome has also come to the fore in the development of medicines and understanding their effectiveness. Earlier, the testing of medicines was based only on the normal response of humans, but now it has been understood how intestinal bacteria break down and metabolize medicines. This is the reason why some medicines work immediately on some people while the same medicine does not work at all on other people. The secret lies in their microbiome. In the future, pharmaceutical companies will develop new medicines keeping in mind how they work on different microbiomes.
Role of microbiome in specific diseases
In the case of cancer, scientists are trying to understand how gut microbes affect the onset of cancer, its spread and response to treatment. Microbiome has also been found to play an important role in kidney diseases because some harmful microorganisms present in the intestine produce elements that damage the kidney. If these are controlled, the patient’s condition can be improved and problems like kidney stones can be avoided. In the field of mental health, a concept called “gut-brain axis” has emerged according to which our intestine and brain are interconnected. This means that the right microbiome can improve our mental state and reduce stress.
Future prospects and challenges
The biggest feature of the microbiome is that it is flexible i.e. plastic in nature. This means that it can be changed with the right diet, lifestyle and treatment. This is the reason why in the future the microbiome will be considered the most important part of health management. But for this, the hard work of scientists alone will not be enough, but policy-makers, doctors and health institutions will also have to work together. Only when this coordination happens, personalized medicine can be fully implemented and not only treatment of diseases but also their prevention will be possible.
Beyond medicine: Widespread effects of microbiome
The use of microbiome is not limited to medicine only. It is also proving to be helpful in improving soil health and increasing crop yield in the field of agriculture. It is also being used in food processing so that food safety and quality can be improved. The role of microbiome is also important in environmental management Because it can be helpful in controlling pollution and maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
Conclusion
Microbiome research has proved that humans and the microorganisms present in their bodies complement each other. It is no longer possible to ignore them. In the coming times, the medical world will be completely personalized and more effective in which the microbiome will play a central role. This will not only change the way of treating diseases but will also help in preventing them. Along with this, it can also be used in other areas like agriculture, environment and food processing. This is why microbiome research is being considered the biggest scientific revolution of the 21st century.