From taxonomy to metabolic output: what factors define gut microbiome health?

2021/01/01 by Tomasz Wilmanski, Noa Rappaport, Christian Diener +2 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Health Professions · #Gut microbiota and health #Epigenetics and DNA Methylation #Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations

paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/19490976.2021.1907270

openalex publication_date 2021/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

Many studies link the composition of the human gut microbiome to aberrant health states. However, our understanding of what constitutes a 'healthy' gut ecosystem, and how to effectively monitor and maintain it, are only now emerging. Here, we review current approaches to defining and monitoring gut microbiome health, and outline directions for developing targeted ecological therapeutics. We emphasize the importance of identifying which ecological features of the gut microbiome are most resonant with host molecular phenotypes, and highlight certain gut microbial metabolites as potential biomarkers of gut microbiome health. We further discuss how multi-omic measurements of host phenotypes, dietary information, and gut microbiome profiles can be integrated into increasingly sophisticated host-microbiome mechanistic models that can be leveraged to design personalized interventions. Overall, we summarize current progress on defining microbiome health and highlight a number of paths forward for engineering the ecology of the gut to promote wellness.

Citations

• Metagenome Sequencing of the Hadza Hunter-Gatherer Gut Microbiota
• Benefits of polyphenols on gut microbiota and implications in human health
• The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism
• An Ordination of the Upland Forest Communities of Southern Wisconsin
• Personalized Nutrition by Prediction of Glycemic Responses
• Quantitation of faecal Fusobacterium improves faecal immunochemical test in detecting advanced colorectal neoplasia
• Impact of Antibiotic Gut Exposure on the Temporal Changes in Microbiome Diversity
• Health and disease markers correlate with gut microbiome composition across thousands of people
• Gut microbiome pattern reflects healthy ageing and predicts survival in humans

Cited by

• Perspective: Leveraging the Gut Microbiota to Predict Personalized Responses to Dietary, Prebiotic, and Probiotic Interventions

Discussions

• Our latest: " From taxonomy to metabolic output: what factors define gut microbiome health?" https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2021.1907270 w/ @TWilmanski @nrappapo @thaasophobia and @ISBNathanPrice @i [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]