Microbiome and Nutrition
The complex community of bacteria, yeasts and viruses living in our intestines, collectively known as the gut microbiome, is shaped, in part, by what we eat. Genetics, environment, and other factors also influence an individual’s microbial community. Research at the NRI investigates these complex relationships and their impact on disease risk. We use animal models and bioinformatics to study the associations between nutritional metabolites, gut microbiome, and health. What happens in the gut doesn’t stay in the gut. Your microbiome can play a role in cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, and even cancer. Our team envisions a future where analysis of your microbiome can determine disease risk, and medical foods can be prescribed to treat and prevent disease by regulating the microbiome.
Publications
Microbiome and Nutrition Publications
2020
Population studies of TMAO and its precursors may help elucidate mechanisms. Meyer K
2019
Association of dietary patterns with the gut microbiota in older, community-dwelling men. Meyer K
2018
Meta-analysis of human genome-microbiome association studies: the MiBioGen consortium initiative. Meyer K
Human microbiota, blood group antigens, and disease. Sumner S
2017
Trimethylamine N-Oxide, the Microbiome, and Heart and Kidney Disease. Zeisel S
2016
Diet and Gut Microbial Function in Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Meyer K
Antibiotic-mediated gut microbiome perturbation accelerates development of type 1 diabetes in mice. Sumner S
Related News
Study Shows Mother’s Diet Affects Child’s Genes
NRI director Dr. Steven Zeisel is co-author of a study showing that a mother’s diet before conception can permanently affect how her child’s genes function. The study has been published in Nature Communications.
Nutrition in Medicine: Nutrition Education for Medical Students and Residents
Adams, K.M., Kohlmeier, M., Powell, M., Zeisel, S.H. (2010) Nutrition in Medicine: Nutrition education for medical students and residents. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 25(5):471-80.
Nutritional influence on epigenetics and effects on longevity
Niculescu, M.D. & Lupu, D.S. (2011) Nutritional influence on epigenetics and effects on longevity. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care Jan;14(1):35-40
Adiponectin lowers glucose production by increasing SOGA
Bryan, R.P., Asmar, M.M., Alderman, J.M., Alderman, E.A., Garland, A.L., Busby, W.H., Bodnar, W.M., Rusyn, I., Medoff, B., Tisch, R., Swenberg, J.A., Zeisel, S.H., Combs, T.P. (2010) Adiponectin lowers glucose production by increasing SOGA. American Journal of Pathology. 177(40): 1936-1945. PMCID: PMC2947288.
Alteration of PTGS2 Promoter Methylation in chronic Periodontitis
Zhang, S., Barros, S. P., Niculescu, M. D., Moretti, A. J., Preisser, J. S., and Offenbacher, S. (2010) Alteration of PTGS2 promoter methylation in chronic periodontitis. J Dent Res 89, 133-137
Dose Response Effects of Dermally applied Diethanolamine on Neurogenesis in Fetal Mouse Hippocampus and Potential Exposure of Humans
Mehedint, M.G., Craciunescu, C.N., Zeisel, S.H. (2010) Maternal dietary choline deficiency alters angiogenesis in fetal mouse hippocampus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 107(29): 12834-39. PMCID: PMC2919920.