Mysore/Mysuru: The Alumni Association of Department of Studies in Food Science and Nutrition at University of Mysore was inaugurated on July 16 at Vijnana Bhavan,  Manasagangothri campus.

Dr. B. Sesikeran, former Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, delivered the Golden Jubilee Special Lecture entitled ‘Human Microbiome: The second genome.’

He highlighted that many diseases originate in the gut, referencing Hippocrates (460 BC) who said, ‘A bad digestion is the root of all evil.’ He emphasised that 70 percent of immune system resides in the gut and discussed various types of intestinal microbes and their functions.

Gut health

He traced development of gut microbiota from the pre-natal to post-natal periods and explained that targeted interventions such as diet, exercise, probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics can modulate these microbes.

Dr. Sesikeran cited several clinical studies indicating that dysbiosis of human gut microbiota is associated with neurodegenerative diseases and obesity.

Research has also identified gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorder and targeted interventions (for example, prebiotics, probiotics, vitamin A supplementation, antibiotics and faecal microbiota transplantation) can alter gut microbiota and improve behavioural and GI symptoms.

He noted that prebiotics and probiotics have gained significant attention for improving gut health and recently, postbiotics have emerged as beneficial compounds produced by probiotic bacteria when they consume prebiotics (fibre).

Western dietary habits

V.R. Shylaja, Registrar, University of Mysore, expressed concern about the environment of single-teacher and zero-teacher schools in primary schools now manifesting in UoM. Some departments in the UoM have only one Professor, and some departments without no permanent professors. She expressed disappointment that this situation is leading to a decline in the educational quality.

Shylaja emphasised that due to Western dietary habits, India is becoming the capital of diabetes and hypertension. “Our health management is in the hands of pharmaceutical companies and there is a need to raise awareness among public about maintaining good health through nutritious food consumption. Western dietary style is causing children to develop high blood pressure and diabetes at a young age,” she said and advised food experts to work towards preventing this.

Dr. M.S. Tara, former Regional Director, National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, Bengaluru, and an alumna of the Department, delivered the first Alumni Series Lecture on ‘Transition in Nutrition Programmes and Schemes: Challenges in Social Audit.’

She discussed issues of deprivation, degradation and poverty as indicators of underdevelopment and covered global and national perspectives on nutrition. She stressed the need for social accountability mechanisms and features of social audits, sharing her own experiences in community-level work.

President of the Alumni Association Dr. Asna Urooj, Dr. Shashikala Puttaraju and Dr. Jamuna Prakash were felicitated.