A new study published in Nature Microbiology has revealed that certain gut bacteria play a crucial role in protecting humans from harmful microbes. The research found that people’s gut microbiome composition is closely tied to whether they have Enterobacteriaceae, a group of bacteria that can cause infections and health problems.
To reach this conclusion, scientists analysed over 12,000 stool samples from people in 45 countries using DNA sequencing technologies. They discovered two groups of bacteria: those that thrived alongside Enterobacteriaceae, known as “co-colonisers”, and those that were rarely found together, referred to as “co-excluders”.
One type of co-excluder bacteria, Faecalibacterium, was found to produce chemicals called short-chain fatty acids by breaking down dietary fibres. These fatty acids can prevent harmful bacteria like Enterobacteriaceae from growing.
The study also revealed that co-colonisers are more adaptable and diverse in their ability to break down different nutrients, allowing them to survive in environments where Enterobacteriaceae thrive.
The findings suggest that boosting the growth of beneficial bacteria or creating diets that support these microorganisms may be a more effective way to prevent and treat infections than traditional antibiotics. This approach could potentially target specific pathways used by harmful bacteria to survive, making them less of a threat.
However, further research is needed to fully understand the causes and mechanisms behind the relationships between gut bacteria and human health. Future studies will integrate additional tools, such as metabolomics and transcriptomics, to create a clearer picture of how the gut ecosystem works for our benefit.
Source: https://theconversation.com/fibre-may-help-protect-your-gut-from-overgrowth-of-harmful-bugs-new-study-246910