Feeding Our Microbiota: Stimulation of the Immune/Semiochemical System and the Potential Amelioration of Non-Communicable Diseases

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases are those conditions to which causative infectious agents cannot readily be assigned. It is increasingly likely that at least some of these conditions are due to the breakdown of the previously mutualistic intestinal microbiota under the influence of a polluted, biocide-rich, environment. Following the mid-20th century African studies of Denis Burkitt, the environmental cause of conditions such as obesity has been ascribed to the absence of sufficient fibre in the modern diet, however in itself that is insufficient to explain the parallel rise of problems with both the immune system and of mental health. Conversely, Burkitt himself noted that the Maasai, a cattle herding people, remained healthy even with their relatively low intake of dietary fibre. Interestingly, however, Burkitt also emphasised that levels of non-communicable disease within a population rose as faecal weight decreased significantly, to about one third of the levels found in healthy populations. Accordingly, a more cogent explanation for all the available facts is that the fully functioning, adequately diverse microbiome, communicating through what has been termed the microbiota–gut–brain axis, helps to control the passage of food through the digestive tract to provide itself with the nutrition it needs. The method of communication is via the production of semiochemicals, interkingdom signalling molecules, potentially including dopamine. In turn, the microbiome aids the immune system of both adult and, most importantly, the neonate. In this article we consider the role of probiotics and prebiotics, including fermented foods and dietary fibre, in the stimulation of the immune system and of semiochemical production in the gut lumen. Finally, we reprise our suggestion of an ingestible sensor, calibrated to the detection of such semiochemicals, to assess both the effectiveness of individual microbiomes and methods of amelioration of the associated non-communicable diseases.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials

“…'All diseases begin in the gut'; this principle made by Hippocrates affected all aspects of therapeutic and research strategies in modern medicine. 25 Gut microbiota consists of about 100 trillion microorganisms weighing up to 1.5 kg; due to the numerous vital functions of these microbes, researchers consider them as a virtual organ. 26 Dysbiosis status, an imbalance in the composition of the gut microbiota, has been related to various diseases, especially autoimmune disorders.…”

The Science Underlying the Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium in Beneficial Effects on Immunological and Gastrointestinal Health

“…In fact, these microbes have a great deal of dependability when it comes to delaying the beginning of certain illnesses [16,17]. As a result, taking probiotics might offer more affordable options for managing illnesses [18][19][20][21].…”

A review on microbiota: relation with diseases and nutrients role

“…In the intestinal microbiota of the group that received high plant‐based protein, it was observed that bacterial species of the genus saccharolytic Prevotella , Roseburia , Eubacterium rectale , Faecalibacterium prausnitzii increased (David et al., 2014). Since different bacteria ferment each food component, an increase in bacterial colonisation using that food type occurs, and the dominant bacterial species can be shaped according to the diet (Smith et al., 2022). Dietary changes in the microbiota, depending on the type and duration of nutrition applied, it may have positive or negative effects on host health.…”

“…Different approaches will be chosen for the patients with a markedly dysbiotic profile (determined as low diversity and an abundance of unfavourable or pathogenic microbiota leading to impaired functional status), moderately dysbiotic profile (defined as intermediate diversity and consisting of some favourable microorganisms with relatively preserved functional status), and favourable profile (Park et al., 2022). All these strategies mentioned above will provide a more optimised personalised cancer treatment and improved health (Smith & Jheeta, 2020; Smith et al., 2022).…”