Study identifies uniqueness of South Asian gut microbiome, critical for lifestyle disease treatment

A large study conducted by scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) along with international institutions has identified that South Asian gut microbiomes are distinct from those in other global populations and are shaped by local culture, diet, geography, and lifestyle. The investigation analyzed stool samples from 575 healthy adults across ten communities in India and Sri Lanka using the newly launched South Asian MicroBiome ARray (SAMBAR). The findings provide a scientific foundation for personalized healthcare, diagnostics, and microbiome-based therapies targeted at lifestyle disorders such as obesity and diabetes in the region.