New Delhi’s Illness to Wellness Foundation, in partnership with the Celiac Society of India, convened top experts on March 17, 2026, at the India International Centre to underscore natural diets and gut health as cornerstones of longevity and healthy ageing. The interactive session, titled “The Longevity Blueprint – Gut Health and InflammAgeing,” spotlighted how everyday food choices combat chronic inflammation, often termed inflammageing, which accelerates age-related diseases and diminishes vitality.
Moderated by Dr. Arjun Dang, CEO and Partner at Dr. Dang’s Lab, the programme drew specialists in geriatrics, psychiatry, nutrition, integrated medicine and Ayurveda. They dissected the gut-brain axis, biological versus chronological ageing, and practical strategies rooted in traditional Indian wisdom to foster resilience against lifestyle-driven health challenges.
Ms. Ishi Khosla, Clinical Nutritionist and Founder of the Celiac Society of India, stressed accessible nutrition. “Most of the nutrients our body requires are already present in our kitchens. What we put in our mouth is in our control. By focusing on wholesome, balanced meals, we can significantly improve gut health and reduce inflammation,” she said. Khosla advocated small, mindful dietary shifts to bolster digestive health and support ageing gracefully.
Dr. Prasun Chatterjee, Chief of Geriatric Medicine, reframed longevity beyond lifespan extension. “Longevity is no longer just about living longer; it is about living healthier for longer,” he stated. Comparing the body to a well-maintained car, Chatterjee highlighted the gut as the “second brain” and dismissed overreliance on supplements. He affirmed that a properly balanced traditional Indian diet supplies essential nutrition without powders or pills.
Dr. Aarti Midha, Integrative Psychiatrist and Functional Medicine Practitioner, connected digestion to mental health. “The brain is not an isolated organ. It constantly communicates with the gut through what we call the gut-brain axis. What we eat and how well our gut functions directly influence our mood, emotions and cognitive health,” she explained. Midha linked gut disruptions to anxiety and depression, urging holistic interventions.
From an Ayurvedic lens, Dr. Partap Chauhan, Founder and Director of Jiva Ayurveda, defined health as equilibrium. “Ayurveda literally means the science of life. It teaches us that true health comes from balance, between the body, the senses, the mind and the soul,” he noted. Chauhan promoted strong digestion, lifestyle harmony and natural rhythms to sustain vitality.
Dr. Pankaj Verma, Medical Director at Antara Integrated Wellness Centre, Gurugram, distinguished ageing metrics. “Chronological age simply reflects the number of years a person has lived, but biological age reflects how the body is actually functioning internally,” he said. Verma identified inflammation, stress and metabolic factors as ageing accelerators addressable through early lifestyle tweaks.
Panellists recommended fibre-rich, plant-diverse diets with fermented foods to nurture the gut microbiome, phytonutrient intake for resilience, and appropriate periodic fasting to reset digestion. Ayurvedic rasayanas emerged as dietary vitality boosters. These steps, experts agreed, counter modern habits fuelling inflammageing.
Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairperson of the Illness to Wellness Foundation’s Advisory Council, reinforced prevention’s primacy. “When we neglect our wellness today, we inevitably end up spending time managing illness tomorrow. This is why preventive health must become a priority rather than an afterthought,” he remarked on the sidelines. Rajput championed balanced nutrition and gut-focused choices for enduring wellbeing.
The session aligned with rising awareness of preventive healthcare in India, where chronic conditions strain systems amid urban dietary shifts. By blending science and tradition, experts offered actionable blueprints: prioritise gut-nourishing foods, monitor inflammation markers and embrace mindful living. Such platforms empower individuals to age actively, reducing future disease burdens through controllable daily habits.
As India grapples with an ageing population projected to reach 300 million seniors by 2050, initiatives like this bridge knowledge gaps. Attendees left with consensus: healthy ageing starts in the kitchen, with gut health as the linchpin for longevity.
Experts spotlight natural diets, gut health for longevity at Illness to Wellness Foundation event in New Delhi.
