**8. Conclusion**

Diabetes mellitus has emerged as the major metabolic disorder in the last two decades. A sedentary urban lifestyle, increased consumption of processed and fried foods and diets high in fat and protein have been indicated as the main reason for unhealthy weight gain causing obesity and disrupting the normal physiological pathways responsible for metabolic homeostasis. The role of the gut microbiome in ensuring a healthy metabolic and immune system is paramount. The remarkable research efforts made in the last two decades highlight gut microbial imbalance or dysbiosis as a common finding in diabetic patients. The direct and indirect regulatory influence of the gut microbial activity on the islet's functionality has been experimentally characterized in rodent models. The experimental findings highlight the importance of a healthy gut microbial community and the use of the appropriate amount of dietary fiber to support fermentation and production of beneficial SCFAs which not only impact the intestinal permeability but also influence β cell activity directly as well as indirectly. The use of pre or probiotics along with a healthy diet comprising enough dietary fiber is a prerequisite for communities and individuals suffering from obesity and diabetes.
