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Review
. 2016 Jan 15;7(1):90-101.
doi: 10.3945/an.115.010587. Print 2016 Jan.

Can We Prevent Obesity-Related Metabolic Diseases by Dietary Modulation of the Gut Microbiota?

Lena K Brahe  1 , Arne Astrup  2 , Lesli H Larsen  2
Affiliations
Review

Can We Prevent Obesity-Related Metabolic Diseases by Dietary Modulation of the Gut Microbiota?

Lena K Brahe et al. Adv Nutr. .

Abstract

Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers, which are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases are characterized by specific alterations in the human gut microbiota. Experimental studies with gut microbiota transplantations in mice and in humans indicate that a specific gut microbiota composition can be the cause and not just the consequence of the obese state and metabolic disease, which suggests a potential for gut microbiota modulation in prevention and treatment of obesity-related metabolic diseases. In addition, dietary intervention studies have suggested that modulation of the gut microbiota can improve metabolic risk markers in humans, but a causal role of the gut microbiota in such studies has not yet been established. Here, we review and discuss the role of the gut microbiota in obesity-related metabolic diseases and the potential of dietary modulation of the gut microbiota in metabolic disease prevention and treatment.

Keywords: diet; gut microbiota; obesity-related diseases; prebiotics; probiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author disclosures: LK Brahe is currently receiving funding and materials from Cargill and DNA Genotek for studies of the human gut microbiota. A Astrup is a consultant or member of advisory boards for BioCare Copenhagen, DK; McCain, Canada; McDonalds; Weight Watchers; and Global Dairy Platform. LH Larsen is currently receiving funding from Arla Foods amba, the Danish Dairy Board, and Cargill.

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