Could your diet be the missing link in microbiota transplant therapy? Researchers at the University of Minnesota believe it might be. A new study led by Levi Teigen, PhD, RD, a faculty member in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition investigates how diet influences and supports gut microbiota during fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—or as Teigen and his team refer to it, microbiota transplant therapy (MTT). FMT is a medical procedure in which fecal material from a healthy donor is transferred to a recipient with an imbalanced gut microbiome.

While FMT has gained recognition as an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections, its potential extends beyond this condition. Traditionally, research has focused on the microbes themselves, but Teigen’s study highlights the critical role of diet before and after transplantation in determining the therapy’s success.

A New Perspective on Diet and Transplants
Teigen and his team have developed a conceptual framework to shape future research on the role of diet in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Their study highlights two key yet previously overlooked factors: the diet of both the donor and the recipient. While past research has largely focused on the microbes themselves, little attention has been given to how a donor’s diet might influence the microbiota being transferred or how a recipient’s diet can support the successful establishment of transplanted microbes.

We successfully highlighted that it’s not just about which microbes are transferred, but also how they function Teigen explains. A person’s diet can shape both the composition of gut bacteria and their metabolic activity.

For instance a fiber-rich diet may help sustain beneficial bacteria from a transplant, whereas certain dietary patterns could hinder its effectiveness. The study also emphasizes the need for improved methods of dietary data collection an area where Teigen’s team aims to drive meaningful advancements.

The Future of Precision Nutrition
What’s next for Teigen and his team? Their ongoing research focuses on developing gut microbiome based precision nutrition strategies tailoring dietary recommendations to support and optimize gut health. Teigen attributes the strength of this work to his multidisciplinary team, which includes experts from across the University of Minnesota, such as Abigail Johnson, PhD, RD, a specialist in diet-microbiome computational analysis and Annie Lin, PhD, RD, an expert in nutrition informatics at the Hormel Institute.

Our collaborative team is what makes this research truly unique Teigen says. By integrating expertise from clinical medicine, public health, and computational nutrition, we can take a more holistic approach to understanding the gut microbiome and its connection to diet.

This research is paving the way for a more personalized approach to microbiota-based therapies—one that considers not just the microbes being transferred, but also the environment they need to thrive.

Source: https://cfans.umn.edu/news/gut-microbes-diet