To do this, Mendelian randomization uses genetic variants (frequent changes in our genome sequence called nucleotide polymorphisms) that are strongly associated with a risk factor (gut microbiota), to establish a causal link with a dependent variable (health markers and diseases), as described in a recent article. Mendelian randomization attempts to establish causal links from genetic data. However, while several observational (non-experimental) studies in humans have identified statistical associations between various markers of gut microbiota and chronic disease, causality has not been clearly established. A causal link suggests that modifying the microbiota would decrease the risk of developing a disease. Some even suggest that microbiota could become a therapeutic target for the prevention or treatment of certain chronic diseases.įor the microbiota to become a therapeutic target of interest, it is essential to establish a causal link between the characteristics of the gut microbiota and chronic diseases. Scientists have suggested that eating certain foods such as dietary fiber, antioxidant-rich fruits and red meat may have an effect on the gut microbiota. This short article aims to summarize and contextualize our recent research work on the gut microbiota published in the Journal of Translational Medicine. Respectively a student and a full professor in the Department of Medicine at Université Laval, our goal is to identify new therapeutic targets for chronic diseases and healthy life expectancy by using an approach based on genetic epidemiology. What's more, transferring the gut microbiota from a thin mouse to a heavy mouse allows it to lose weight. Furthermore, in rodents, the implantation of certain bacteria could influence weight and metabolic profile. In the last decade, the results of hundreds of studies in animal models have suggested that gut dysbiosis may play a role in several metabolic disturbances. These cause imbalances, known as "dysbiosis" which, in turn, are associated with a wide array of chronic diseases. There are several things that can disrupt the gut microbiota, including diet, alcohol consumption, antibiotics and inflammatory bowel disease.
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