International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 5 authors, 2 centres
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This narrative review discusses the potential for fecal microbiota composition to serve as an objective, metagenomic biomarker for dietary intake and adherence to dietary patterns. It highlights that while traditional self-reported methods have significant limitations, specific gut microbial signatures are associated with diets like Mediterranean and Western patterns, but heterogeneity between individuals is a key limitation for its current use as a precise biomarker.
This narrative review explores the potential of gut microbiota composition as a biomarker for food intake and dietary pattern adherence, contrasting it with traditional subjective methods. The background notes that while methods like 24-hour food recalls, food frequency questionnaires, and food diaries are common, they are prone to recall bias and measurement error. The review synthesizes evidence from various studies indicating that specific fecal microbial signatures can reflect dietary intake, with particular species (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia muciniphila) associated with health and others (e.g., Bacteroidetes, Ruminococcus) linked to unfavorable metabolic states. Key results suggest that metagenomic analysis of fecal microbiota could provide a more objective proxy for evaluating adherence to dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean or Western diet. However, significant limitations are acknowledged, including substantial inter-individual heterogeneity based on sex, age, genetics, and lifestyle, which complicates the establishment of universal biomarkers. The authors conclude that further technological advancement and a deeper understanding of cause-consequence relationships between diet and specific bacterial species are needed before fecal microbiota can be reliably used as a precise tool for personalized nutritional strategies.
