Question

How does changing your diet affect your GI microbiome and overall GI tract health?

Answer 1

Microbial population in the GI tract contributes to host health by biosynthesis of vitamins and essential amino acids, along with generation of important metabolic byproducts from dietary components left undigested by the small intestine. Short-chain fatty acid byproducts act as a major energy source for intestinal epithelial cells and can help in strengthening the mucosal barrier. Studies have also shown that microbes in the gut promote intestinal immunity.

There are approximately ten times as many microbes in the GI tract as there are cells in the human body. These microbes control a large spectrum of enzymes and feed on a varied range of substrates.

When the diet is modified, especially if it becomes more specialized and less diverse, some species of microbiota are given preferential treatment while others are cut off. On the other hand, a varied diet provides ample opportunity for producing a large array of signals for physiological processes which maintain homeostasis in the human body and overall health of the GI tract.