The Human Microbiome, Diet, and Health Workshop Summary (2013) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
7 Possibilities for the Future
7 Possibilities for the Future
Pages 147-154
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From page 147... ...
Evidence suggests that gut microbes and their human host share much of the same metabolic machinery, with bacteria influencing which dietary components and how much energy their human host is able to extract from its diet. What we eat and drink, in turn, influences the microbiome, with significant implications for disease risk.
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From page 148... ...
He mentioned the important role that microbially produced short-chain fatty acids play in maintaining colon health. Susan Crockett of General Mills pointed to the "amazing things" that the food industry can do to help people meet recommended nutrition guidelines, implying that the same would be true if there were authoritative guidance on maintaining a healthy microbiome.
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From page 149... ...
food claims, not all workshop participants agreed that the next best step is to shift the science toward collecting data in healthy populations in order to substantiate those health claims. One audience member agreed that all of the diseaserelated research on the microbiome described over the course of the 2-day workshop is "great science" and that "the science will continue to go forward," but the greater challenge, he said, is that "we are still left with a 1938 regulatory environment" and regulatory authorities are "hamstrung by whatever the law tells [them]
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From page 150... ...
Craig added that if a study is conducted on a population of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, for example, but the food industry cannot communicate that information to consumers, then the information is "stuck." He went on: "If it is great research, but it cannot translate to public health … what value does it truly have? " Changing the legal regulatory framework for food claims would entail a tremendous challenge.
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From page 151... ...
As one audience member said, "I do not recall these conversations really going on seriously at any other meeting." One audience member suggested that a congressional champion be found in the United States, and perhaps a parliamentary champion in the European Union, to partner with industry and academia as a first step toward renovating the regulatory framework. To attract interest, an argument can be made that being unable to communicate the results of scientific research on food labels is not just a disservice to public health, but also to national competitiveness and global welfare.
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From page 152... ...
o Josef Neu urged more studies aimed at understanding the meta bolic consequences of the microbiome. For example, researchers have identified microbes associated with necrotizing enterocolitis and other phenomena in preterm babies, but they do not under stand the metabolic implications of this association.
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From page 153... ...
o Josef Neu urged continued exploration of the relationship be tween fetal microbial ecology and prematurity. Evidence suggests that contrary to conventional thought, some infants acquire their initial microbiome prior to birth during the third trimester.
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From page 154... ...
Results from Lampe's work, combined with observations by Peter Turnbaugh that the microbiome can be altered so dramatically in such a short period of time, underscore the important role that nutrition plays. REFERENCE Green, M
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