There is an entire universe inside us – a teeming ecosystem of trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Collectively, they are known as the gut microbiome, an internal metropolis that plays a massive role in our overall health.
This is essentially what a recent Netflix documentary, Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut, is all about. Although it is a serious topic, the show is presented in a light-hearted manner through quirky animation and stop-motion graphics.
The top-line agenda from the documentary is simple: our gut may hold all the answers about our quality of life, from physical health to mental well-being.
“People thousands of years ago in every culture, from Greece to East India, all emphasise the gut,” explains Aashish Jha, a biology professor at NYU Abu Dhabi whose research appears on the show. “In India, for example, we have Ayurveda, and its basis is the gut. Take care of your gut, and you will be well.”
“These people probably didn't know about microbes because they were not discovered at that time. But there was already an appreciation of gut health even in ancient times.”
The microorganisms in our body play different roles, says Jha, from aiding our digestion to regulating our immune system. They release chemicals that interact with our body. The bifidobacteria, for example, which is present in our intestines break down fibre, while lactobacilli help shield us from various illnesses.
“Remove some of these good bacteria, and we can face a lot of issues. Our immune system becomes hyperactive. It sees something that it has not seen before, like pollens or food, and it will start attacking it,” he says.
“These microbial products regulate our nervous system and even our hormones. So gut microbiomes, if you really think about it, are the master regulators of our health.”
This is not all new information, but as implied in the Netflix documentary, existing research on gut health is just the tip of the iceberg.
“We've known for hundreds of years that this is the case; all we have to do is look to our language,” John Cryan, a neuroscientist at University College Cork in Ireland, says in the documentary. “When we're disappointed, we're gutted. When we're brave, we make gutsy moves. When we're nervous, we've got butterflies in our stomach.”
How to take care of your gut
When there is a delicate balance of the microbiome in our gut, we experience a symphony of well-being, says Jha.
“And what we eat is super-important,” he adds. The microbiome in our gut needs to eat, so they don't become harmful, and foods rich in fibre are crucial, explains Jha. “We're talking whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
“If we eat fibre-rich foods, they go into our gut and our body cannot degrade those fibres. This is where the good bacteria comes in. They can digest fibre and as they thrive, they survive and continue with their functions.
“Conversely, if we eat a lot of packaged and processed food, such as instant noodles, which don't have a lot of fibre, the good bacteria die and other types of harmful microorganisms will grow.”
This imbalance can manifest in a variety of ways, from instinctive digestive woes such as bloating and constipation to more far-reaching issues such as obesity, and even anxiety and depression.
Diet aside, our environment also affects our microbial composition, says Jha. “In rural areas for example, people interact with soil, plants and animals, and these can strengthen the immune system.
“But in an urban environment, we live in an ultra-sanitised world where our exposure to different bacteria is low, and that is not necessarily good.”
Apples and oranges
Jha, who joined NYU Abu Dhabi in 2020 after getting his postdoctoral degree from the University of Chicago, has been researching the difference between the gut microbiome of people who live in rural areas versus those who live in highly urbanised environments.
The research, featured on the Netflix documentary, shows how people who live more traditional lives (such as foragers and farmers) have a very distinct microbial composition than those who live in industrialised cities.
“We know that urbanisation exerts a tremendous and selective pressure on the gut because we have different types of foods in the urban environment,” says Jha. “And they tend to be ultra-processed, low on fibre content and very high in calories.”
This explains, for example, why some food allergies are more prevalent in one population versus another, and why some people's digestive systems are more sensitive.
In the UAE, he says, there is enough diversity of available foods, but he believes behaviours need to change.
“There are enough food options in supermarkets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Not as much as I would like to see, but yes, they're there. But I think what is happening is our habits are very different. If you walk into the supermarket, you're tempted to eat a cookie rather than eating an apple,” explains Jha.
“Rather than snacking on an orange, we like to snack on Cheetos. Both of them are available, but one is packaged in a very beautiful way and the other one is just an orange, right? There's not a lot of things you can do to make an orange sexy.”
Jha has also done research on obesity in the Emirati population, but the results are yet to be published. While there is an increasing interest in the study on oral and gut microbiome in the UAE, getting to a stage where people are comfortable and willing to share what is needed for the research has proven to be challenging.
The biggest gut health myth
Gut health has become a buzzword on social media, but Jha says the biggest misconception is that people can reconstitute their gut without changing their lifestyle.
“A lot of people will continue eating processed food, they will not exercise, but they will consume doses of probiotics.”
However, he adds: “Just taking supplements is not going to be enough to to restore your gut health.”
Taking care of the gut is an investment in our overall well-being. Jha says nurturing the trillions of tiny residents that live within us could be key in laying the groundwork for a healthier and happier life.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
ELECTION%20RESULTS
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More on Quran memorisation:
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
Company%20Profile
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Moonfall
Director: Rolan Emmerich
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Honeymoonish
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UAE Team Emirates
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
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Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Company%20profile
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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