The Future of Microbes Could be In Hunter-Gatherer Tribes 

Background: 

The industrialization of the food industry has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. The average western consumer now consumes more ultra-processed food than ever before, shifting away from more seasonal and traditional diets. This change is being fueled by the advancement in marketing techniques, which shows over 50 percent of all food and beverage advertisements are processed foods (Zhang et al. 2022), and making ultra-processed food more readily available and appealing. However, this convenience comes at a cost: rising rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are at an all time high in Western populations (Rakhra et al. 2020).  

The relationship between diet, health, and our microbiome is becoming increasingly clear as more studies are conducted. Diets that are high in unhealthy fats and sugars lead the gut microbial population to decrease (Townsend et al. 2018), which can reduce the overall health of the host. An unhealthy microbiome could lead to inflammation, obesity, diabetes, and even cancer (Zhang et al. 2015). However, most of the research and understanding of the gut microbiomes focuses on western industrialized populations. This leaves significant gaps of knowledge for those populations who are in non industrialized regions, and possibly leaves a wealth of microbes undiscovered. 

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Heart Health in Your Gut: How the Microbiome Affects Cardiovascular Disease

When we think about heart health, the gut probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, new research is shedding light on how the trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive tract—collectively known as the gut microbiome—may play a surprising role in cardiovascular disease (Zhang, Y. et al., 2022).

Cardiovascular Disease: The World’s Deadliest Threat

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke and high blood pressure. These conditions are the leading cause of death worldwide, with heart attack and stroke being responsible for 85% of these deaths (World Health Organization, 2021). While many factors contribute to CVD, including diet, lifestyle, and genetics, scientists are discovering that the composition of our gut microbiome might also be a key player (Zhang, Y. et al., 2022).

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