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Host Factors Affect the Gut Microbiome More Significantly than Diet Shift
Enkhchimeg Lkhagva1, Hea-Jong Chung2, Ji-Seon Ahn2
1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea.
Microorganisms
|December 24, 2021
Summary
Physical exercise significantly alters gut microbiome composition more than diet shifts. Host factors, like exercise, play a larger role than diet in shaping the gut microbiome for improved health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The gut microbiome's composition is a key area of scientific interest.
- Understanding factors influencing the gut microbiome is crucial for health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of diet shift (DS) from meat-inclusive to vegetarian diets and physical exercise (EX) on gut microbiome composition.
- To determine whether host factors (EX) or dietary factors (DS) are more influential on the gut microbiome.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of gut microbiome composition after 3 months of intervention.
- Utilized alpha-diversity (InvSimpson, Shannon, Simpson, Evenness) and beta-diversity analyses.
- Employed co-occurrence network analysis to assess microbial community structure.
Main Results:
- Both DS and EX significantly altered gut microbiome diversity and composition, with EX showing a more pronounced effect.
- EX and DS modified the gut microbiome in distinct directions.
- Specific microbial abundances changed: *Dialister succinatiphilus* increased with EX, while *Bacteroides fragilis*, *Phascolarctobacterium faecium*, and *Megasphaera elsdenii* decreased with both interventions.
Conclusions:
- Physical exercise is a more significant modulator of gut microbiome composition than dietary changes.
- Host factors, exemplified by physical exercise, appear more critical than diet in determining gut microbiome structure.
- This finding offers a theoretical basis for the greater health benefits of physical exercise over vegetarian diets.
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