Gut microbiota composition: A new kind of biomarker?

Without biomarkers modern healthcare would hardly exist. These measurable biological indicators allow physicians to assess the health state of their patients, diagnose conditions and predict disease risks. Over the last decade the highly dynamic field of gut microbiota research has made two essential discoveries: Firstly, the gut microbiota can be regarded as an organ in itself exerting such crucial functions as the digestion of fibers and the supply of the host with short chain fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Secondly, the microbial communities inhabiting the human gut provide a huge potential of new biomarkers: As the composition of each individual’s gut microbiota is closely linked to the food consumed as well as to the nutritional and gastrointestinal health state it is well suited to serve as an indicator for a wide range of bodily conditions: It might predict whether a certain diet is likely to induce overweight, it can mirror intestinal inflammation and help predict risk of colon cancer. Recent findings suggest that the compositions of gut microbial communities can be even more than mere indicators. They can also be causal factors in the onset as well as in the management and treatment of conditions. This fact sheet gives three examples of cutting edge research in the field of gut microbial biomarkers, presented at the Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit 2016 that has just finished.