ABOUT POST
Diet plays an essential role in regulating immunity and maintaining metabolic health. Improper diet is often linked to the development of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. Long-term adherence to a specific dietary pattern aids in shaping the intestinal commensal microbiota. The gut microbes produce several bioactive compounds by metabolizing dietary components, influencing host metabolic and immune homeostasis.
Gut microbes produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, butyrate, and propionate, through the fermentation of non-digestible fiber. These SCFAs are the primary sources of energy for colonic tissues to modulate inflammatory pathways, maintain gastrointestinal tissue integrity, and inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Alteration of specific gut bacteria lowers triglyceride levels, reduces systemic inflammatory markers (e.g., C-reactive protein), and improves liver function.
All gut microbial products are not beneficial to humans. For instance, microbial metabolism of L-carnitine and choline results in the production of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is a metabolite associated with the manifestation of atherosclerosis and inflammation. Both L-carnitine and choline are commonly found in nuts, dairy, meat, fish, and eggs.
MedDiet contains fruits, vegetables, nuts, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), legumes, and cereals. This diet type recommends the consumption of moderate amounts of fish, dairy foods, eggs, poultry, and red wine. Furthermore, MedDiet is associated with low consumption of red meat, processed food, and discretionary foods (e.g., cakes and sweets).