University seeks volunteers for innovative project on per diem expenses and gut microbiota

The research center in Nutrition of the University of Navarra participates in a novel project, "BIOTAGUT", which aims to evaluate the effect of foods based on the patron saint of per diem expenses Mediterranean on the intestinal microbiota and metabolic health of people.

"We seek to improve health by modulating the intestinal microbiota. To do this, we have thought of foods that are part of the usual per diem expenses in Mediterranean countries, such as yoghurts, olive oil, bakery products, infusions and vegetable products, developed according to the knowledge of the 'healthy' microbiome and its response to different types of food," explains Fermín Milagro, director of the research line in Nutriomics and Biomarkers.

In order to be able to carry out this research, the Centre requires the partnership of an adult population interested in finding out what their microbiota is like. Thus, it is necessary for interested volunteers to fill out the onlineform or contact contact by email at voluntariosnut@unav.es.

Modifying the composition of the microbiota through nutrition

"Already a century ago, it was proposed to modify the composition of the gut microbiota in order to improve health," says Milagro. Today, this idea has become more prominent in the search for tools to help restore intestinal microbial balance and metabolic activity. This is the case of personalised diets based on the use of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, bioactive compounds and functional foods, or the transplantation of faecal microbiota. "In reality, we are a complex ecosystem greatly influenced by the microbiota we live with, so having a healthy gut takes on special relevance for health promotion and prevention.

The same conclusion was reached by the Twins UK study conducted in identical twins at the University of Cambridge, which found significant variations in gut microbial composition due to nutrition, "leading to the conclusion that dietary influence on gut microbiota may be an even more important risk factor for disease than Genetics". As a consequence, dietary recommendations represent an attractive option in cases where a link between gut microbiota and disease risk is established, or as a possible treatment when a diagnosis has been confirmed.

In this regard, associations have been found between altered microbiota and various diseases of the digestive system such as irritable bowel syndrome or coeliac disease; certain systemic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and inflammation; disorders related to the central nervous system (including depression, Parkinson's disease and even Alzheimer's disease); or risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension and hyperlipaemia (high cholesterol and high triglycerides).