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
Eating with the Seasons: Why It Matters for Your Health
When you shop at the farmer’s market, you're doing more than supporting local growers – you’re nourishing your body with foods harvested at their peak. Seasonal eating isn't just a trend; it's rooted in science. At the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI), we study...
SPM Active® Supplementation
Study Purpose: The purpose of this study aims to explore the effects of SPM Active®, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) dietary supplement, on male adults with obesity.
The Polybar Study
We are studying how consuming a protein bar with polyphenols as a daily functional snack can support metabolic health.
More Than Genetics: How Daily Choices Influence Our Health
As the field of translational exposomics gains momentum, the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) stands at the forefront of research exploring how nutrition interacts with our environment and genes to influence lifelong health. A recent publication in Human...
Innovative Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors
Engaging in physical activity improves quality of life for cancer survivors, yet nearly 60% of young adult cancer survivors are physically inactive. Researchers at UNC-CH and the NRI are looking for new approaches to encourage more cancer survivors to be physically...
Why Some Diets Fail – UNC Researchers Investigate Metabolic Clues
A new study from the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI), published in the American Journal of Physiology, reveals metabolic markers that may predict weight loss success on calorie restriction (CR). Led by Evan Paules, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Hursting...