Gut microbiota, diet, and obesity-related disorders-The good, the bad, and the future challenges.
Diet has been shown to be a major factor in modulating the structure of the mammalian gut microbiota by providing specific nutrient sources and inducing environmental changes (pH, bile acids) in the gut ecosystem. Long-term dietary patterns and short-term interventions have been shown to induce changes in gut microbiota structure and function, with several studies revealing metabolic changes likely resulting from the host microbiota cross-talk, which ultimately could influence host physiology. However, a more precise identification of the specific dietary patterns and food constituents that effectively modulate the gut microbiota and bring a predictable benefit to the host metabolic phenotype is needed to establish microbiome-based dietary recommendations. Here, we briefly review the existing data regarding gut microbiota changes induced by different macronutrients and the resulting metabolites produced via their respective fermentation, including their potential effects on obesity and associated metabolic disorders. We also discuss major limitations of current dietary intervention studies as well as future needs of applying cutting-edge "omic" techniques and of progressing in functional microbiota gene discovery to establish robust causal relationships between the dietary microbiota induced changes and metabolic health or disease.
Microbial Ecology, Nutrition and Health Research Unit, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council, Valencia (IATA-CSIC), C/ Catedràtic Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 7, Valencia, Spain.
Kevin J
KJ
Portune
Microbial Ecology, Nutrition and Health Research Unit, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council, Valencia (IATA-CSIC), C/ Catedràtic Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 7, Valencia, Spain.
Alfonso
A
Benítez-Páez
Microbial Ecology, Nutrition and Health Research Unit, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council, Valencia (IATA-CSIC), C/ Catedràtic Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 7, Valencia, Spain.
Eva Maria Gomez
EM
Del Pulgar
Microbial Ecology, Nutrition and Health Research Unit, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council, Valencia (IATA-CSIC), C/ Catedràtic Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 7, Valencia, Spain.
Victor
V
Cerrudo
Microbial Ecology, Nutrition and Health Research Unit, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council, Valencia (IATA-CSIC), C/ Catedràtic Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 7, Valencia, Spain.
Yolanda
Y
Sanz
D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005285:Fermentation; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000382:microbiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D000067348:Whole Grains
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins
Diet; Metabolic health; Microbiota; Obesity