The role of diet on intestinal microbiota metabolism: downstream impacts on host immune function and health, and therapeutic implications

Abstract

Dietary impacts on health may be one of the oldest concepts in medicine; however, only in recent years have technical advances in mass spectroscopy, gnotobiology, and bacterial sequencing enabled our understanding of human physiology to progress to the point where we can begin to understand how individual dietary components can affect specific illnesses. This review explores the current understanding of the complex interplay between dietary factors and the host microbiome, concentrating on the downstream implications on host immune function and the pathogenesis of disease. We discuss the influence of the gut microbiome on body habitus and explore the primary and secondary effects of diet on enteric microbial community structure. We address the impact of consumption of non-digestible polysaccharides (prebiotics and fiber), choline, carnitine, iron, and fats on host health as mediated by the enteric microbiome. Disease processes emphasized include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), IBD, and cardiovascular disease (CVD)/atherosclerosis. The concepts presented in this review have important clinical implications, although more work needs to be done to fully develop and validate potential therapeutic approaches. Specific dietary interventions offer exciting potential for nontoxic, physiologic ways to alter enteric microbial structure and metabolism to benefit the natural history of many intestinal and systemic disorders.

Role of epithelial cells in the pathogenesis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

“…The most recent model built as a result of this intensive research has been described elsewhere [31][32][33]. In summary, it is suggested that the onset of IBD is based on the following four major factors: genetic susceptibility, immune dysregulation, microbial flora (dysbiosis) and environmental factors (food, smoking, drugs, etc.).…”

“…In summary, it is suggested that the onset of IBD is based on the following four major factors: genetic susceptibility, immune dysregulation, microbial flora (dysbiosis) and environmental factors (food, smoking, drugs, etc.). Especially the role of the intestinal microbiota has been featured, as it can be modulated through its interplay with dietary factors [32], or by the genetic predisposition of the host [33]. Accordingly, a multi-hit model of IBD has been suggested [34].…”

A breakthrough in probiotics: Clostridium butyricum regulates gut homeostasis and anti-inflammatory response in inflammatory bowel disease

“…Accumulation of epidemiological and clinical evidence and recent genetic studies have shown the relationship between IBD and several environmental factors, such as modern lifestyle, diet, antibiotic use, genetic background, and immunological factors [2,14,15]. Some of these factors may affect the composition of the gut microbiota [2,15].…”

Gut microbiome diversity in acute infective and chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases in North India

“…The microbiota colonize the gut soon after birth and the mother of the host is the first source for these gut microbiota [5,6]. A number of factors, including diet [7][8][9], age [10], gender, genetic composition [11], geographic location [2], and health/disease status [6] of the individual influence the gut microbiota after birth. The microbiota varies in their diversity and stability with advancing age.…”