The ethnicity and gut microbiota hypothesis: analyzing multifactorial interactions and their health implications

This manuscript investigates the impact of ethnic differences on gut microbiota, with a focus on multifactorial interactions and associated health implications. It defines the "Ethnicity-Gut Microbiota" phenomenon, wherein distinct ethnic groups exhibit significant variations in the composition, structure, and function of gut microbiota. We searched for relevant references in the Web of Science and PubMed databases using keywords up to December 1, 2025. Three key influencing factors are examined: genetic factors such as TLR and FUT2 gene polymorphisms that affect microbial colonization, geographical factors including elevation, soil, circadian rhythm, and temperature that alter microbial diversity, and lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, sleep, and health-related pharmaceutical use that shape microbial profiles. These factors interact dynamically and mutually influence one another, ultimately determining the gut microbiota differences across various ethnic groups. This research holds significant value for understanding disease disparities, optimizing drug administration, guiding public health strategies, and investigating human evolution. Future research directions include large-scale multiethnic studies, multi-omics integration, and exploration of microbial functional differences. Ultimately, this work aims to advance precision health initiatives for diverse ethnic populations.