In principle, this research joins a growing number of studies suggesting that modulation of the intestinal microbiota could help combat a range of medical problems.
The studyconducted among 57,000 participants from 32 countries, looked at how the presence of Blastocystis could modify the effects of different foods and nutrients on cardiometabolic health. The analysis revealed that:
- Participants with healthy diets have higher rates of Blastocystis;
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Blastocystis appears to play an overall beneficial role in the impact of diet on health;
- higher intestinal levels of Blastocystis, a single-celled organism commonly found in the digestive system, are associated with more favorable health markers, including cardiovascular health, as well as decreased body fat, better glycemic control;
- In contrast, lower levels of Blastocystis are associated with obesity;
- Blastocystis levels vary – logically – depending on the region and the diet of the country;
- Specifically, Blastocystis appears to be associated with the consumption of healthier, less-processed plant foods;
- thus, improved diet induces increased Blastocystis levels;
- Blastocystis is almost never found in newborns, suggesting that it is acquired later in life.
Lead author Dr. Long H. Nguyen, a clinical and translational epidemiology and gastroenterology fellow at MGH and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, comments on the findings: “The effects of Blastocystis on health and disease have remained controversial, however our study suggests a beneficial role in the impact of diet on health”. In other words,
Blastocystis “mediates” the benefits of a healthy diet.
Further research will determine whether increasing Blastocystis levels, through dietary changes or supplementation, could be a viable strategy for preventing cardiometabolic diseases.
