Kuala Lumpur:A conference focusing on gut health is set for October 11, aiming to address various aspects of digestive wellness, including its impact on mental wellbeing, diabetes, and chronic gastrointestinal disorders.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Gut Health Conference 2026, themed 'Integrative Approaches to Digestive Wellness', intends to bring together healthcare professionals and practitioners from Malaysia and India. The event will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and perspectives on gut health.

Organising Chairperson Vaidya Anjali Rajeevan, who is also the Chief Ayurvedic Practitioner at Arogya Holistic Care, stated that the conference is designed to deepen understanding of gut health and its connection to overall wellbeing, including digestion, immunity, metabolism, and mental health.

Gut health, which refers to the condition and functioning of the digestive system, plays a crucial role in digestion and is linked to metabolism, immunity, mental wellbeing, and quality of life. A 2025 study in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology revealed that 19.3 percent of 2,072 Malaysians surveyed had at least one disorder of gut-brain interaction, with functional constipation, functional dyspepsia, and functional diarrhoea being the most common conditions.

The event will cover topics such as the relationship between gut health and cancer, the Ayurvedic concept of digestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the connection between gut and diabetes, and chronic gastrointestinal disorders.

Organised by the Malaysia Ayurveda Professionals Association (MAPA) in partnership with the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur and supported by the Berjaya Group, the conference will feature Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Somnath Ghosh as the chief guest. Dr Suhaila Ismail, Director of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division at the Health Ministry (MoH), will be the guest of honour.

A notable highlight will be the presentation of the MAPA Ayurveda Excellence Award to Dr Goh Cheng Soon, former MoH Director of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division, in recognition of her contributions to Ayurveda and Traditional and Complementary Medicine in Malaysia.

The conference will take place at the Manhattan II Ballroom, Level 14, Berjaya Times Square, from 8 am to 4.40 pm.