Journal
NATURE
Volume 505, Issue 7484, Pages 559-+Publisher
NATURE PORTFOLIO
DOI: 10.1038/nature12820
Keywords
-
Categories
Funding
- National Institutes of Health [P50 GM068763]
- Boston Nutrition Obesity Research Center [DK0046200]
- General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Long-term dietary intake influences the structure and activity of the trillions of microorganisms residing in the human gut(1-5), 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(2), 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(6). In concert, these results demonstrate that the gut microbiome can rapidly respond to altered diet, potentially facilitating the diversity of human dietary lifestyles.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available