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Eat Well, or Get Roommates Who Do
Lee M Kaplan1, Joseph Brancale2
1Obesity, Metabolism and Nutrition Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Cell Host & Microbe
|January 24, 2017
Summary
The gut microbiome changes with diet, losing diversity on typical American diets. Restoring this diversity requires both dietary changes and exposure to a healthier microbiome.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Health
- Dietary Science
Background:
- The human intestinal microbiome plays a crucial role in health.
- Dietary patterns significantly influence microbiome composition and function.
- Previous research suggests a link between diet and microbial diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how the intestinal microbiome adapts to dietary practices.
- To determine the conditions necessary for replenishing lost microbial taxa.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of microbiome composition in relation to dietary intake.
- Assessment of microbial diversity changes over time.
- Evaluation of recovery strategies for depleted microbial communities.
Main Results:
- The intestinal microbiome demonstrates adaptability to specific dietary practices.
- A typical American diet leads to restricted microbial diversity, causing a durable loss of taxa.
- Dietary manipulation alone is insufficient for full recovery; exposure to a healthier microbiota is also required.
Conclusions:
- Dietary habits profoundly impact the stability and diversity of the intestinal microbiome.
- Restoring microbiome health after dietary-induced depletion necessitates a multi-faceted approach.
- Findings highlight the importance of both diet and microbial exposure for gut health.
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