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Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome.

ABSTRACT: Long-term dietary intake influences the structure and activity of the trillions of microorganisms residing in the human gut, but it remains unclear how rapidly and reproducibly the human gut microbiome responds to short-term macronutrient change. Here we show that the short-term consumption of diets composed entirely of animal or plant products alters microbial community structure and overwhelms inter-individual differences in microbial gene expression. The animal-based diet increased the abundance of bile-tolerant microorganisms (Alistipes, Bilophila and Bacteroides) and decreased the levels of Firmicutes that metabolize dietary plant polysaccharides (Roseburia, Eubacterium rectale and Ruminococcus bromii). Microbial activity mirrored differences between herbivorous and carnivorous mammals, reflecting trade-offs between carbohydrate and protein fermentation. Foodborne microbes from both diets transiently colonized the gut, including bacteria, fungi and even viruses. Finally, increases in the abundance and activity of Bilophila wadsworthia on the animal-based diet support a link between dietary fat, bile acids and the outgrowth of microorganisms capable of triggering inflammatory bowel disease. In concert, these results demonstrate that the gut microbiome can rapidly respond to altered diet, potentially facilitating the diversity of human dietary lifestyles.

SUBMITTER: David LA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3957428 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome.

David Lawrence A LA Maurice Corinne F CF Carmody Rachel N RN Gootenberg David B DB Button Julie E JE Wolfe Benjamin E BE Ling Alisha V AV Devlin A Sloan AS Varma Yug Y Fischbach Michael A MA Biddinger Sudha B SB Dutton Rachel J RJ Turnbaugh Peter J PJ

Nature 20131211 7484

Long-term dietary intake influences the structure and activity of the trillions of microorganisms residing in the human gut, but it remains unclear how rapidly and reproducibly the human gut microbiome responds to short-term macronutrient change. Here we show that the short-term consumption of diets composed entirely of animal or plant products alters microbial community structure and overwhelms inter-individual differences in microbial gene expression. The animal-based diet increased the abunda ...[more]

PMID: 24336217

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Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome.

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Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome.

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