Effects of a Diet Based on Foods from Symbiotic Agriculture on the Gut Microbiota of Subjects at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Diet is a major driver of gut microbiota variation and plays a role in metabolic disorders, including metabolic syndrome (MS). Mycorrhized foods from symbiotic agriculture (SA) exhibit improved nutritional properties, but potential benefits have never been investigated in humans. We conducted a pilot interventional study on 60 adults with ≥ 1 risk factors for MS, of whom 33 consumed SA-derived fresh foods and 27 received probiotics over 30 days, with a 15-day follow-up. Stool, urine and blood were collected over time to explore changes in gut microbiota, metabolome, and biochemical, inflammatory and immunologic parameters; previous dietary habits were investigated through a validated food-frequency questionnaire. The baseline microbiota showed alterations typical of metabolic disorders, mainly an increase in Coriobacteriaceae and a decrease in health-associated taxa, which were partly reversed after the SA-based diet. Improvements were observed in metabolome, MS presence (two out of six subjects no longer had MS) or components. Changes were more pronounced with less healthy baseline diets. Probiotics had a marginal, not entirely favorable, effect, although one out of three subjects no longer suffered from MS. These findings suggest that improved dietary patterns can modulate the host microbiota and metabolome, counteracting the risk of developing MS.

Effect of a Fiber D-Limonene-Enriched Food Supplement on Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolic Parameters of Mice on a High-Fat Diet

“…FLS (especially at the higher dosage) tended to reverse the main alterations induced by HFD, positively modulating the compositional structure of the microbiota. Indeed, we found decreased proportions of potentially proinflammatory taxa, such as Desulfovibrionaceae (known sulphate-reducing pathobionts), Peptostreptococcaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae, which are typically increased in metabolic inflammatory disorders [40]. On the other hand, we found increased amounts of Bacillaceae, Planococcaceae and Clostridiaceae, which tended to approximate the values of control mice.…”

Trans-anal irrigation in patients with multiple sclerosis: Efficacy in treating disease-related bowel dysfunctions and impact on the gut microbiota: A monocentric prospective study

“…It is therefore tempting to speculate that, while not dramatically impacting the GM structure, the adoption of TAI could favour some microbial rearrangements associated with better overall intestinal health. However, it should be noted that after treatment, MS patients also showed increased levels of Peptostreptococcaceae , less characterized microorganisms but generally believed to be pro-inflammatory, 37 and Methanobrevibacter , an archaeon typically enriched in MS. 5 …”

“…It is therefore tempting to speculate that, while not dramatically impacting the GM structure, the adoption of TAI could favour some microbial rearrangements associated with better overall intestinal health. However, it should be noted that after treatment, MS patients also showed increased levels of Peptostreptococcaceae, less characterized microorganisms but generally believed to be pro-inflammatory, 37 and Methanobrevibacter, an archaeon typically enriched in MS. 5 Some limitations of the current study were the single centre, the use of PAC-QoL to screen the population only for constipation, and the small sample. However, the study protocol required significant patient engagement and half of the included patients did not complete the diagnostic phase.…”

What regenerative agriculture can teach medi-cal students about human health

“…Specifically, research has explored the soilgut connection, examining the link between biodiversity at the crop-soil level for nutrient density and its impact on the human-gut microbiome and its downstream inflammatory consequences. 5,6 As Hippocrates said, "all diseases start in the gut." We can trace this statement one step further by considering the direct source of our nutrients, and posit that many diseases potentially have origins in soil.…”