Impact of Climate Change on Gut Health
Climate change is reducing food availability and nutrition quality, which affects gut microbiota diversity.
A less diverse gut microbiome can worsen health, leading to malnutrition and diseases.
This impact is stronger in low- and middle-income countries, especially in indigenous communities dependent on local food.
Rising carbon dioxide levels reduce nutrients like iron, zinc, and protein in major crops, further affecting gut health.
Gut Microbiota and Human Health
The gut houses trillions of microbes that influence immunity, digestion, metabolism, and even brain health.
A disrupted gut microbiome (dysbiosis) is linked to diseases like diabetes, eczema, and bowel disorders.
Dysbiosis also weakens microbial cooperation, reducing important metabolic functions in the body.
Need for More Research
The link between climate change and gut health is still being studied, with many overlapping environmental factors.
Urban low-income groups face multiple gut health stressors like heat, pollution, poor food, and unsafe water.
There's a lack of funding and awareness for interdisciplinary research that connects climate change to gut microbiology.
Advances and the Way Forward
New tools like metagenomics and open-access databases are helping understand the gut microbiome better.
Databases like GutBugBD explore how gut bacteria react to food and medicine.
Scientists stress that gut microbiomes vary from person to person, so personalized approaches are necessary.
COMMENTS