The Western Diet–Microbiome-Host Interaction and Its Role in Metabolic Disease

Abstract

Abstract:The dietary pattern that characterizes the Western diet is strongly associated with obesity and related metabolic diseases, but biological mechanisms supporting these associations remain largely unknown. We argue that the Western diet is promoting inflammation that arises from both structural and behavioral changes in the resident microbiome. The environment created in the gut by ultra-processed foods, a hallmark of the Western diet, is an evolutionarily unique selection ground for microbes that can promote diverse forms of inflammatory disease. Recognizing the importance of the microbiome in the development of diet-related disease has implications for future research, public dietary advice as well as food production practices. Research into food patterns suggest that whole foods is a common denominator of diets associated with a low level of diet-related disease. Hence, by studying how ultra-processing changes properties of whole foods and how these foods affect the gut microbiome, more useful dietary guidelines can be made. Innovations in food production should be focusing on enabling health in the super-organism of man and microbe, and stronger regulation of potentially hazardous components of food products is warranted.

Understanding the host-microbe interactions using metabolic modeling

“…While the composition of the gut microbiota fluctuates over time due to, among others, the diet, the overall composition is more or less stable [ 80 ] and is able to recover from short-term perturbations such as short-term antibiotic administration, periods of starvation, and radical changes in diet [ 28 , 81 , 82 ]. However, long term perturbations such as prolonged antibiotic use [ 82 ], but also changing diet can cause a shift in microbiota composition, and in turn, a shift in its metabolic products [ 26 , 83 ]. Alterations in microbiota composition, also known as dysbiosis, can have negative consequences on host health.…”

Beyond Metabolism: The Complex Interplay Between Dietary Phytoestrogens, Gut Bacteria, and Cells of Nervous and Immune Systems

“…Specifically it is unknown whether proposed pathogenic effect of meat based and/or Western diet ( 12) is due to meat itself or due to factors associated with industrialization/modernization such as processing of foods, increased use of antibiotics etc. (13). However, evaluation of the microbiome-mediated benefits or drawbacks of plant-vs. meat-based diets, western diet, or any other dietary interventions of interest in the scientific community are beyond the scope of this review.…”

The Impact of Non-caloric Sweeteners on Male Fertility: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis in Rodent Models

“…Numerous studies have investigated the link between the western diet and male infertility, with links observed between increased saturated fat intake (6), sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) (7) dairy intake (8), and male infertility. The Western diet, high in fat, salt and sugar is well known for its role in driving obesity rates and metabolic diseases (9). Many strategies have been implemented to tackle rising obesity rates, including the use of non-nutritive sweeteners to substitute sugar intake, thus reducing overall calorie intake.…”

“…The Western diet, high in fat, salt and sugar is well known for its role in driving obesity rates and metabolic diseases ( 9 ). Many strategies have been implemented to tackle rising obesity rates, including the use of non-nutritive sweeteners to substitute sugar intake, thus reducing overall calorie intake.…”