Nutritional approaches targeting gut microbiome to unravel their roles in health and disease

Dr. Shyamchand Mayengbam
Department of Biochemistry
Memorial University 

Date: November 28, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Room: CSF 1302

The human gastrointestinal tract harbours trillions of microorganisms. These microorganisms play essential roles in energy production, immune functions, and cell signalling, thus regulating host metabolic reactions. Dysbiosis, an alteration of the microbial profile, has been associated with the onset of several metabolic and chronic diseases. Reshaping these microbiota has been considered a therapeutic approach to treating such disorders. Many factors affect the host’s gut microbiome; however, nutrition is the main driving force influencing them. These nutrients, from complex dietary fibres to simple vitamins, play significant roles in modulating the gut microbiome. Dietary fibres, the indigestible carbohydrate, act as food for the gut bacteria and produce many signalling molecules, such as short-chain fatty acids. Although several bacteria synthesize specific vitamins in the gut, their dietary intake influences the gut microbial profile and subsequently affects host metabolism. Deciphering the gut-related functions of dietary nutrients will shed light on better understanding their roles in host health and disease.