Can hereditary diseases be prevented?
The possibility of preventing the incidence of diseases due to genetic predisposition is being studied, through diet and the strengthening of the intestinal microbiota.
Currently, scientists are revealing crucial evidence linking a range of essential functions for our life and health to a healthy gut microbiota. Many diseases have been found to arise from changes in the microbiota, and this microbiota can be modulated by environmental factors such as diet.
Our bodies are the habitat of the microbiota; diet is a key factor in the symbiotic relationship between the two. Food provides diverse and variable substrates for microbial metabolism, so diet can influence and modulate the structure and composition of the microbiota.
It has been determined that in some diseases such as diabetes mellitus or inflammatory bowel disease, changes in the structure of the intestinal microbiota are observed.
Recent studies have revealed that dietary changes affect the gut microbiome positively or negatively and are a crucial factor in modulating the inflammatory response in certain diseases. This offers hope for individuals with a genetic predisposition to certain illnesses, as a healthy gut flora could potentially reduce their risk of developing these diseases. Therefore, it is increasingly important to adopt a healthy and balanced diet that contributes to maintaining a healthy gut microbiota.
References
- Álvarez Calatayud, Guillermo, Guarner, Francisco, Requena, Teresa, & Marcos, Ascensión. (2018). Diet and microbiota. Impact on health. Nutrición Hospitalaria , 35 (spe6), 11-15. Epub 06 July 2020. https://dx.doi.org/10.20960/nh.2280
- Guarner F. Diet and microbiota. In: Álvarez-Calatayud G, Marcos A, Margollés A (Eds.). Probiotics, prebiotics and health: Scientific evidence. Madrid: Ergon; 2016. pp. 77-81.
- Lukens JR , Gurung P , Vogel P et al. Dietary modulation of the microbiome affects autoinflammatory disease. Nature . 2014; 516(7530