A seminar organised by the Celiac Society of India and Prana, in collaboration with the Illness To Wellness initiative, brought together prominent experts from the fields of medicine, nutrition, and psychology to discuss the critical connection between gut health and mental well-being. The event saw active participation from attendees, eager to learn about the importance of gut health and its impact on issues like mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
The seminar featured a distinguished panel, including Dr. Ashutosh Shukla, Co-Founder of Prana Centre of Integrative Medicine and Medical Advisor at Max Hospital; Dr. Alok Mishra, PhD in Mind-Body Medicine, AIIMS; Dr. Puja Kapoor, Pediatric Neurologist; and Ishi Khosla, Clinical Nutritionist at the Celiac Society of India. The discussion focused on the gut-brain axis, the role of diet, and the growing health challenges linked to poor gut health.
Padma Shri awardee and former AIIMS head, Dr. Chandrakant S. Pandav, who served as the Chief Guest, shared his journey of overcoming Parkinson’s and losing 15 kilograms through a gut-friendly diet. He highlighted the growing concern of childhood obesity and stressed the importance of addressing gut health from a young age.
Anil Rajput, Chairperson of ASSOCHAM National CSR Council, emphasised the importance of community engagement in promoting health awareness. “I am delighted that partnerships like the one between Illness to Wellness and the Celiac Society of India are sensitising people at the grassroots level. Gut health is now recognised as central to overall well-being, and these seminars help spread valuable information that can lead to better health outcomes,” he said.
Explaining the science behind the gut-brain axis, Dr. Ashutosh Shukla noted, “The gut and brain are connected by a two-way communication system that has evolved together. The brain has an alarm system to ensure that what we eat is suitable for our body.”
Ishi Khosla described the gut as "the second brain," noting how gut imbalances affect mental, physical, and social health. She recommended following an anti-inflammatory, gut-friendly diet and advised the audience to apply the “half plate rule” by filling half their plate with colourful fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Alok Mishra emphasised the importance of strengthening the brain-gut relationship, urging individuals to prioritise their health. "We need to get back to putting our health first," he stated.
Dr. Puja Kapoor discussed how the modern diet is contributing to an increase in gut-related disorders and autism, affirming the strong connection between the gut and brain. “We cannot ignore the impact of diet on conditions like autism,” she explained.
