Functional short-chain carbohydrates (prebiotics) in the diet to improve the microbiome and health of the gastrointestinal tract

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1376 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Muir ◽  
C. K. Yao ◽  
P. G. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Whole Grains ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gastrointestinal Health ◽  
Dietary Components

Advancement in technologies to identify and quantify bacterial species in the gastrointestinal tract has escalated interest in its microbiome worldwide. There is enormous interest in understanding the roles that bacterial species play in gastrointestinal health and overall wellbeing. What constitutes a ‘healthy gut microbiome’ includes: favourable fermentation-dependent characteristics such as butyrate supply to all regions, minimisation of putrefaction of proteins, and adequate laxation. The relative abundance of specific bacterial species with certain functional characteristics is also important and include: traditional prebiotic bacteria – Bifidobacteria; strongly butyrate-producing – Clostridium coccoides and Faecalibacterium prausnitzi as well as a mucus-associated bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila. Manipulation of diet and dietary factors may be essential to favourably influence these fermentation-dependent parameters and select for growth of beneficial bacterial species. In this regard, this laboratory has identified indigestible oligosaccharides with prebiotic effects and now has an extensive database that quantifies indigestible oligosaccharides in a wide variety of foods including whole grains, cereals, legumes, seeds, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Future research in this area should consider the role of dietary components that best establish and maintain a ‘healthy gut microbiome’.

scholarly journals Reducing Disease Activity of Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Consumption of Plant-Based Foods and Nutrients

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian S. Antoniussen ◽  
Henrik H. Rasmussen ◽  
Mette Holst ◽  
Charlotte Lauridsen
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Western Diet ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Anatomic Site ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Dietary Components

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic and recurring inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract encompassing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Although the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease remains to be fully elucidated, environmental factors such as diet are believed to play a pivotal role in the onset and management of inflammatory bowel disease. Diet is thought to play an essential role in intestinal inflammation due to its regulatory effects on the microbiota, gut immune system, and epithelial barrier function. Although the evidence remains insufficient to draw firm conclusions on the role of specific dietary components in gastrointestinal diseases, studies have suggested that a Western diet with high intakes of total fats, omega-6 fatty acids, and meat have been associated with intestinal inflammation and relapse of inflammatory bowel disease. In contrast to a Western diet, plant-based diets often result in a reduced intake of total fats and meats and an increased intake of plant fibers which may contribute to reduced intestinal inflammation. This review critically examines the influence of plant-based dietary components on the clinical disease course of inflammatory bowel disease. Furthermore, this review discusses the benefits and possible limitations of plant-derived dietary components in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease while addressing the principal type of disease and the anatomic site of inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, this review points out important directions for future research on the role of diet in inflammatory bowel disease. A better understanding of the role of diet and intestinal inflammation may pave the way for novel dietary interventions and specific foods- or food supplements, which can support the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

scholarly journals Is the Oral Microbiome Important in HIV-Associated Inflammation?

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Fulcher
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Oral Microbiome ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Soluble Cd14 ◽  
Microbiome Diversity ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACT Alterations in the gut microbiome during HIV infection have been implicated in chronic inflammation, but the role of the oral microbiome in this process is less clear. The article by M. K. Annavajhala, S. D. Khan, S. B. Sullivan, J. Shah, et al. (mSphere 5:e00798-19, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00798-19) investigated the relationship between oral and gut microbiome diversity and immune activation in patients with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. In this study, oral microbiome diversity was inversely associated with inflammatory markers such as soluble CD14 (sCD14), but surprisingly similar associations were not seen with gut microbiome diversity. Oral microbiome diversity was also associated with periodontitis in these patients. This study highlights the importance of continuing multisite examinations in studying the gastrointestinal tract microbiome and also stimulates important directions for future research defining the role of the oral-gut axis in HIV-associated inflammation.

scholarly journals The Role of Resolvins, Protectins and Marensins in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 937
Author(s):  
Dominika Maciejewska-Markiewicz ◽  
Ewa Stachowska ◽  
Viktoria Hawryłkowicz ◽  
Laura Stachowska ◽  
Piotr Prowans
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Lipid ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Dietary Components ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Docosahexaenoic Acids

Increased triacylglycerols’ (TAG) synthesis, insulin resistance, and prolonged liver lipid storage might lead to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Global prevalence of NAFLD has been estimated to be around 25%, with gradual elevation of this ratio along with the increased content of adipose tissue in a body. The initial stages of NAFLD may be reversible, but the exposition to pathological factors should be limited. As dietary factors greatly influence various disease development, scientists try to find dietary components, helping to alleviate the steatosis. These components include n-3 polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA). This review focused on the role of resolvins, protectins and merensins in NAFLD.

scholarly journals Manganese Levels in Plant-based Diets May Exceed U.S. Dietary Recommendations-an Examination of the Ornish and DASH Diets (P24-011-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa LeMoon
Keyword(s):  
Whole Grains ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Adequate Intake ◽  
Dash Diet ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Dietary Reference Intakes ◽  
Mn Content

Abstract Objectives Manganese (Mn) is a dietary mineral critical for life, yet high levels of Mn can lead to symptoms of toxicity. The Mn content in food varies considerably and is most concentrated in plant-based foods, whole grains, legumes, nuts, etc. The adult adequate intake (AI) for Mn is 1.8 mg/day for women and 2.3 mg/day for men while the tolerable upper intake level (UL) is 11 mg/day for men and women. Mn absorption and bioavailability of Mn is affected by an individual's nutrition status and dietary factors. When Fe status is low Fe absorption is enhanced, subsequently increasing Mn absorption as well. Increasing evidence in support of the heart health benefits of plant-based diets has led to a rise in medically prescribed modern diets such as the Ornish diet. By design, this and other plant-based diets have a higher propensity to include Mn-rich foods. It is hypothesized that the average Mn content of the plant-based, Ornish diet will be significantly higher than that of the omnivorous Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. The objective of this research study is to assess the Mn levels in medically prescribed diets and compare them to current dietary standards. Methods The Mayo Clinic offers a three-day sample DASH diet menu (www.mayoclinic.org) and the Ornish diet has a three-day sample menu (www.ornish.com) complete with quantified ingredients available in the USDA National Nutrient Database. An assessment of the prescribed diets included quantifying Mn, iron (Fe), and energy (kcal). A trained researcher then manually downloaded and tabulated the nutrient profile for each ingredient. Daily values for kcal, Mn, and Fe were calculated and compared against each other and the Dietary Reference Intakes. Results The Ornish diet contained an average daily Mn content exceeding the UL, 11.5 mg/day, while the average daily Mn of the DASH diet was 7.5 mg/day. These values did not differ significantly (P = 0.125). Conclusions Both diets were significantly higher in Mn than the AI's and the Ornish diet demonstrated Mn levels higher than the UL and the DASH diet. This may indicate that people following a medically-prescribed, plant-based diet have an intake that exceeds the UL for Mn. Future research is needed to determine if the AI for Mn, which is based on typical consumption, is in need of an update, and if there are any risks or concerns for those following a plant-based diet. Funding Sources none.

scholarly journals Gut Microbiome and Its Interaction with Immune System in Spondyloarthritis

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1727
Author(s):  
Jacqueline So ◽  
Lai-Shan Tam
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hla B27 ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Gut Inflammation ◽  
Germ Free ◽  
Gut Microorganisms

Emerging evidence suggests there is a gut-joint axis in spondyloarthritis (SpA). In a study, subclinical gut inflammation occurred in nearly 50% of SpA. Chronic gut inflammation also correlated with disease activity in SpA. Trillions of microorganisms reside in the human gut and interact with the human immune system. Dysbiosis affects gut immune homeostasis and triggers different autoimmune diseases including SpA. The absence of arthritis in HLA-B27 germ-free mice and the development of arthritis after the introduction of commensal bacteria to HLA-B27 germ-free mice proved to be the important role of gut bacteria in shaping SpA, other than the genetic factor. The recent advance in gene sequencing technology promotes the identification of microorganisms. In this review, we highlighted current evidence supporting the link between gut and axial SpA (axSpA). We also summarized available findings of gut microbiota and its interaction with the immune system in axSpA. Future research may explore the way to modulate gut microorganisms in axSpA and bring gut microbiome discoveries towards application.

scholarly journals Association of Flavonifractor plautii, a Flavonoid-Degrading Bacterium, with the Gut Microbiome of Colorectal Cancer Patients in India

mSystems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankit Gupta ◽  
Darshan B. Dhakan ◽  
Abhijit Maji ◽  
Rituja Saxena ◽  
Vishnu Prasoodanan P.K. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Gene Markers ◽  
Degrading Bacterium

ABSTRACT Recently, dysbiosis in the human gut microbiome and shifts in the relative abundances of several bacterial species have been recognized as important factors in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, these studies have been carried out mainly in developed countries where CRC has a high incidence, and it is unclear whether the host-microbiome relationships deduced from these studies can be generalized to the global population. To test if the documented associations between the microbiome and CRC are conserved in a distinct context, we performed metagenomic and metabolomic association studies on fecal samples from 30 CRC patients and 30 healthy controls from two different locations in India, followed by a comparison of CRC data available from other populations. We confirmed the association of Bacteroides and other bacterial taxa with CRC that have been previously reported in other studies. However, the association of CRC with Flavonifractor plautii in Indian patients emerged as a novel finding. The plausible role of F. plautii appears to be linked with the degradation of beneficial anticarcinogenic flavonoids, which was also found to be significantly correlated with the enzymes and modules involved in flavonoid degradation within Indian CRC samples. Thus, we hypothesize that the degradation of beneficial flavonoids might be playing a role in cancer progression within this Indian cohort. We also identified 20 potential microbial taxonomic markers and 33 potential microbial gene markers that discriminate the Indian CRC from healthy microbiomes with high accuracy based on machine learning approaches. IMPORTANCE This study provides novel insights on the CRC-associated microbiome of a unique cohort in India, reveals the potential role of a new bacterium in CRC, and identifies cohort-specific biomarkers, which can potentially be used in noninvasive diagnosis of CRC. The study gains additional significance, as India is among the countries with a very low incidence of CRC, and the diet and lifestyle in India have been associated with a distinct gut microbiome in healthy Indians compared to other global populations. Thus, in this study, we hypothesize a unique relationship between CRC and the gut microbiome in an Indian population.

scholarly journals Diet and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 809-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Linos ◽  
Walter C. Willett
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Cancer Subtypes ◽  
Timing Of Exposure ◽  
Cancer Risk Reduction

The association between diet and breast cancer risk has been investigated extensively and has led to some recommendations for prevention. Research suggests that maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk for breast cancer after menopause. Additionally, alcohol increases the risk for breast cancer even at moderate levels of intake, and women who drink alcohol also should take sufficient folate, which can mitigate this excess risk. Interesting questions for future research include the role of soy products, red meat, energy balance, and vitamin D, with particular attention to timing of exposure in early life. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and dietary factors may differentially affect certain breast cancer subtypes; future studies should therefore attempt to characterize associations according to tumor characteristics.

scholarly journals Diabetes-associated alterations in the cecal microbiome and metabolome are independent of diet or environment in the UC Davis Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rat model

2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (5) ◽  
pp. E961-E972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. Piccolo ◽  
James L. Graham ◽  
Kimber L. Stanhope ◽  
Intawat Nookaew ◽  
Kelly E. Mercer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Bacterial Gene ◽  
Late Stages

The composition of the gut microbiome is altered in obesity and type 2 diabetes; however, it is not known whether these alterations are mediated by dietary factors or related to declines in metabolic health. To address this, cecal contents were collected from age-matched, chow-fed male University of California, Davis Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rats before the onset of diabetes (prediabetic PD; n = 15), 2 wk recently diabetic (RD; n = 10), 3 mo (D3M; n = 11), and 6 mo (D6M; n = 8) postonset of diabetes. Bacterial species and functional gene counts were assessed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing of bacterial DNA in cecal contents, while metabolites were identified by gas chromatography-quadrupole time-off-flight-mass spectrometry. Metagenomic analysis showed a shift from Firmicutes species in early stages of diabetes (PD + RD) toward an enrichment of Bacteroidetes species in later stages of diabetes (D3M + D6M). In total, 45 bacterial species discriminated early and late stages of diabetes with 25 of these belonging to either Bacteroides or Prevotella genera. Furthermore, 61 bacterial gene clusters discriminated early and later stages of diabetes with elevations of enzymes related to stress response (e.g., glutathione and glutaredoxin) and amino acid, carbohydrate, and bacterial cell wall metabolism. Twenty-five cecal metabolites discriminated early vs. late stages of diabetes, with the largest differences observed in abundances of dehydroabietic acid and phosphate. Alterations in the gut microbiota and cecal metabolome track diabetes progression in UCD-T2DM rats when controlling for diet, age, and housing environment. Results suggest that diabetes-specific host signals impact the ecology and end product metabolites of the gut microbiome when diet is held constant.

Digesting the emerging role for the gut microbiome in central nervous system demyelination

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1553-1559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Joscelyn ◽  
Lloyd H Kasper
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Host Immunity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Risk Factor ◽  
Central Nervous System Demyelination ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
First Time

The fields of microbiology, immunology, neurology and nutrition are rapidly converging, as advanced sequencing and genomics-based methodologies have enabled the mapping out of the microbial diversity of humans for the first time. Bugs, guts, brains and behavior were once believed to be separate domains of clinical practice and research; however, recent observations in our understanding of the microbiome indicate that the boundaries between domains are becoming permeable. This permeability is multidirectional: Biological systems are operating simultaneously in a vastly complex and interconnected web. Understanding the microbiome-gut-brain axis will entail fleshing out the mechanisms by which transduction across each domain occurs, allowing us ultimately to appreciate the role of commensal organisms in shaping and modulating host immunity. This article will highlight animal and human research to date, as well as highlight directions for future research. We speculate that the gut microbiome is potentially the premier environmental risk factor mediating inflammatory central nervous system demyelination, in particular multiple sclerosis.

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