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

The impact of early-life sub-therapeutic antibiotic treatment (STAT) on excessive weight is robust despite transfer of intestinal microbes.  Sumner S

Protein Intake at Twice the RDA in Older Men Increases Circulatory Concentrations of the Microbiome Metabolite Trimethylamine-N-Oxide (TMAO).  Zeisel S

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

Dietary Choline and Betaine and Risk of CVD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies.  Meyer K

A Microbiomic Analysis in African Americans with Colonic Lesions Reveals Streptococcus sp.VT162 as a Marker of Neoplastic Transformation.  Sumner S

Metabolic profiling of a chronic kidney disease cohort reveals metabolic phenotype more likely to benefit from a probiotic.  Sumner S

Trimethylamine N-Oxide, the Microbiome, and Heart and Kidney Disease.  Zeisel S

2016

Microbiota-Dependent Metabolite Trimethylamine N-Oxide and Coronary Artery Calcium in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA).  Meyer K

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

Top 10 Reasons to Give

The NRI is creating a healthier tomorrow for people around the world. At the NRI, our scientists are studying why people differ in metabolism and nutrient requirements and are discovering nutrition-based solutions to prevent or treat heart disease, cancer, diabetes...

Return on Investment

An investment in innovation at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute helps ensure a healthier future for people of all ages and positively impacts our national economy as scientists discover nutritional solutions to prevent and treat chronic diseases. Contributions...

Ways to Give

Gifts of Cash: An outright gift of cash is usually the simplest method of giving. It is not subject to gift or estate taxes, and you can deduct the gift to the full extent of IRS rulings. Gifts of Securities: You may deduct the full fair market value of long-term...

Steven H. Zeisel M.D., Ph.D.

As the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) grows and more scientists and administrators move to Kannapolis, there is one face that has been here since the beginning. In fact, UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) Director Steven Zeisel, M.D., Ph.D., was a leader in...

Appetite for Life Academy

Our seminars begin in April this year. Registration opens at the end of this month. Our speakers this year are: John Smith, Jane Smith and Olga Yearly.

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but heart disease is preventable and controllable.