IT’S NOT a secret that what people eat and drink affects their health and how well their bodies function.
However, many Malaysians are unaware that food digestion and nutrient absorption strongly depend on the microscopic life in the gut.
“Emerging research from various sources reveals that gut health plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall wellbeing of our health,” says Monash University Malaysia’s School of Pharmacy deputy head, associate professor Dr Chong Chun Wie.
“Compromised gut health has been associated with a higher risk of a myriad of chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure,” he adds.
Despite its importance, many people are unaware of how critical gut health truly is, making it a ‘silent crisis; that deserves greater attention.
The lack of public awareness and action to maintain good gut health is worrying, given the statistics presented in the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023.
Numbers don’t lie
Malaysia has the highest rate of diabetes in the Western Pacific region, and one of the highest in the world.
Additionally, nearly 29.2% of Malaysians suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension. Another silent enemy, high cholesterol, affects approximately 7.6 million people.
And in recent times, NHMS 2023 also indicates that more than half of Malaysian adults are overweight or obese—with more than half of Malaysia’s children at risk of obesity.
These statistics are deeply concerning as obesity is closely linked to the rise in health challenges faced by both adults and children in Malaysia.
It is a major risk factor for more serious conditions, which significantly elevates the risk of heart disease and other serious health complications.
The health survey also reported that more than two million adults in Malaysia are living with at least three of these non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The prevalence of these NCDs tends to increase with age, with older Malaysians suffering from multiple conditions simultaneously.
Gut Link
One factor that could play an influential role in these diseases and statistics is gut health. While it may seem unrelated, the gut is home to around 100 trillion microbes that perform many essential functions in the human body.
For example, they help break down food, making it easier to absorb nutrients. They also help reduce inflammation and support the immune system.
Additionally, these microbes are important for producing chemicals that regulate people’s moods and mental health.
Simply called the “microbiome”, the collection of microbes, their genes, and the substances they produce is so important to our health that it’s often called the ‘Second Genome’.
Research shows that the number of genes has always been positively associated with the number of functions.
Research shows that the human microbiome has 150 times more genes than the human genome, highlighting the large variety of roles the gut microbiome plays in keeping bodies healthy.
“The good news is that we can actively influence this ‘Second Genome’ by improving our gut health through diet, lifestyle, and probiotic supplementation.
“A balanced gut microbiota, ideally composed of 85% good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria, is key to achieving and maintaining optimal health,” remarks Dr Chong.
On the other hand, dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the gut microbiome, can lead to increased systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, contributing to the development of diseases such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, elevated cholesterol levels, and obesity.
Some gut microbes are able to reduce fat accumulation, which helps to maintain heart health. Conversely, some bacteria can produce trimethylamine oxide—the chemical that increases the thickening of arteries, elevating the risk of heart attack.
“The trend of growing NCDs is not unique to Malaysia. It primarily reflects a poor modern lifestyle globally, characterised by a lack of physical activities and the consumption of processed foods.
“Insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables can harm the gut microbiome, as fibre is the main source of food for the microbes,” adds Dr Chong.
Sadly, Malaysians are not consuming enough of these vital foods. Studies in the country show that less than 50% of the respondents eat vegetables every day, and only 32% of them prefer to eat fruits one to three times per week.
Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, therefore, is crucial for overall wellbeing, emphasising the importance of public health initiatives and continued research into gut health's impact on chronic diseases.
It is time to make the effort and take preventive measures before it’s too late, as the foundations of good health are built over time.
Only by recognising the critical role of gut health can we hope to reverse these alarming trends and improve the overall health and wellbeing of the Malaysian population.
