Nutrients · 7 authors, 2 centres
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This narrative review compiled evidence showing that shift, night, and unconventional work schedules are associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, metabolic diseases, and inflammatory states. The authors suggest probiotic supplementation may help restore intestinal microbiota diversity and stability in affected workers.
This narrative review compiled studies examining how unconventional work schedules and environments influence the gut microbiota of workers. Rotating shift work was found to be associated with increased risk of metabolic diseases, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Sleep disturbance or deprivation from night work was also linked to metabolic disease and induces a stress response that disrupts gut microbiota homeostasis, triggering an inflammatory state. Workers in military, healthcare, metallurgy, livestock farming, and long-travel seafaring were identified as affected populations. The authors proposed that suppression of melatonin secretion due to shift or night work may contribute to gut microbiota dysbiosis. Probiotic supplementation was suggested as a potential mechanism to restore intestinal microbiota, with results suggesting effectiveness in preserving microbiota diversity and stability under demanding occupational conditions. However, the authors noted that more research is needed on how probiotics affect microbiota at the individual and personalized level.
