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Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health.
Singh, RK, Chang, HW, Yan, D, Lee, KM, Ucmak, D, Wong, K, Abrouk, M, Farahnik, B, Nakamura, M, Zhu, TH, et al
Journal of translational medicine. 2017;15(1):73
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Plain language summary
Gut microbiome plays an important role in modulating the risk of many chronic diseases through its impact on host immunity and metabolic health. Diet, in turn, can alter the composition of the microbiota. This paper reviewed current understanding of the effects of common dietary components and three select diets on gut microbiota composition and host health. Dietary components included plant and animal protein, saturated and unsaturated fats, digestible and non-digestible carbohydrates, probiotics and polyphenols. The diets included Western diet, gluten-free diet and Mediterranean diet. Based on the reviewed papers, the authors concluded that diet can modify the intestinal microbiome, which in turn has a profound impact on overall health. The impact can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the abundance and identity of microbial populations and the nature of their interactions with the host. The authors also state that further research using large, long-term clinical trials to evaluate a greater variety of food components would be helpful in making specific dietary recommendations to patients.
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that the intestinal microbiome plays an important role in modulating risk of several chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. At the same time, it is now understood that diet plays a significant role in shaping the microbiome, with experiments showing that dietary alterations can induce large, temporary microbial shifts within 24 h. Given this association, there may be significant therapeutic utility in altering microbial composition through diet. This review systematically evaluates current data regarding the effects of several common dietary components on intestinal microbiota. We show that consumption of particular types of food produces predictable shifts in existing host bacterial genera. Furthermore, the identity of these bacteria affects host immune and metabolic parameters, with broad implications for human health. Familiarity with these associations will be of tremendous use to the practitioner as well as the patient.
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Functional interactions between the gut microbiota and host metabolism.
Tremaroli, V, Bäckhed, F
Nature. 2012;489(7415):242-9
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Plain language summary
This literature review aims to discuss evidence for the role of the gut microbiota in metabolism and possible links to obesity. Obesity and caloric intake can influence the microbiota, but whether the reverse is true in humans remains unclear. Much of the mechanisms have been determined in rodents, determining similar pathways in humans is difficult. The interplay of diet, host and gut microbiota may cause increased gut permeability (leaky gut) that could lead to an increase in inflammation that may cause obesity, fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. It is increasingly accepted that gut microbiota can contribute to diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but exactly how and by how much remains unclear. Evidence for treating the microbiota to help with these metabolic diseases, either by pre- or probiotic supplementation, is building. However, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are required to determine effects. The influence of the gut microbiota is a promising area, but one that needs further research.
Abstract
The link between the microbes in the human gut and the development of obesity, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndromes, such as type 2 diabetes, is becoming clearer. However, because of the complexity of the microbial community, the functional connections are less well understood. Studies in both mice and humans are helping to show what effect the gut microbiota has on host metabolism by improving energy yield from food and modulating dietary or the host-derived compounds that alter host metabolic pathways. Through increased knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the interactions between the microbiota and its host, we will be in a better position to develop treatments for metabolic disease.