Gut Bacteria Linked to Dozens of Health Conditions
Researchers have linked gut bacteria, as well as other microorganisms, to dozens of health conditions. According to research presented to the virtual annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology, there is an association between gut bacteria and high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (1, 2)
In her presentation, Hilde E. Groot, MD, of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands spoke about how much information gut bacteria can provide. “Our study indicates that microbiota might have an important role in maintaining health and could help us develop novel treatments,” Dr. Groot said. She added that “the extent to which the human gut microbiome can be considered a determinant of disease and healthy aging remains unknown. (1, 2)
The human gut microbiome consists of the microorganisms present in the digestive tract. These are generally bacteria and single-celled organisms called archaea. These microorganisms also carry genetic material. In the past, small-scale studies have suggested that there’s a link between gut bacteria and specific diseases. (1)
Dr. Groot’s team took on a large-scale study to see if this was true. They studied 422,417 unrelated adults who were in the UK Biobank. They had undergone genotyping to identify their genetic makeup and provided information on various diseases and health conditions, including blood pressure and BMI. The average age of the participants was 57 years old, and 57% of them were women. (1)
Specific Diseases and Gut Bacteria
The researchers learned that there was an association between having higher levels of 11 types of gut bacteria with 28 health and disease outcomes. These outcomes included type 2 diabetes, heart failure, hypercholesterolemia, osteoarthritis, and renal failure. (1, 2)
The bacteria linked to high blood pressure is called Ruminococcus flavefaciens. Clostridium is associated with platelet count. (2)
Researchers also found links between specific types of gut bacteria and high blood pressure, BMI, high blood lipids, and frequency of alcohol consumption. There was also an association with atopy, which is a genetic tendency to develop allergic issues like asthma and eczema. (1)
In her presentation, Dr. Groot discussed the connection between gut bacteria and alcohol consumption. She said, “What we eat and drink is connected to microbiome content, so we studied the links with meat, caffeine, and alcohol. We observed a relationship between raised levels of Methanobacterium and drinking alcohol more often. It is important to stress that this is an association, not a causal relation, and more research is needed.” (1)
Large-Scale Study on Gut Bacteria
This study’s size is what makes it extraordinary. With more than 400,000 participants, researchers were able to draw clearer conclusions. (2)
“Over the past few years, the amount of research concerning the human gut microbiome and the associations with health and disease has tremendously increased. However, most studies investigated one or a few traits. The strength of our study is the possibility to cover a wide range of traits simultaneously within one population,” Dr. Groot said. (2)
Dr. Groot considers this study to be an addition to earlier research suggesting that there is a connection between the gut microbiome and health outcomes. She believes that more research is necessary before health professionals can use the gut microbiome to advise their patients. (1, 2)
“Follow-up studies are required to study causality before giving concrete advice to the public and health professionals. This study provides clues [about] where to go,” she concluded. (1)
