Impact of Diet on The Activity of the Gut Microbiota – Key Life-stages

Karen SCOTT
Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, UK

Diet is known to have a significant impact on the composition and activity of the gut microbiota, which in turn is known to be important for health. There are key stages in life when the composition of the microbiota changes, and these frequently correspond to changes in diet. Since the gut microbiota exists as a microbial community, rather than individual species in isolation, interactions between community members are important in determining the final metabolic output. Specific bacterial genera, and even species, have different substrate requirements, or preferred substrates, that dictate metabolic output and consequently bacterial interactions.

The effect of changes in diet and bacterial composition, on the metabolic output and the impact this may have on health will be discussed.