Lifestyle modulation of gut microbiota

Abstract

In recent years, the advance in gut microbiota knowledge has shown that is key in the development and health status of humans. There are many factors that influence the gut microbiota and its balance, being our lifestyle one of the key factors. There is an association between feeding and practicing physical exercise. People who have an active life have a healthier diet, richer in fiber, vegetables and fruits, while sedentary lifestyle is associated with diets with higher fat content and lower fiber. Our feeding behavior and the practice of physical exercise, determine the microbial diversity, as well as the presence of beneficial bacteria for our health. The influence of these factors is determined by the physiological state of the individual (illness/health, obese/lean, young/old), thus more research is needed to determine how changes occur in the microbiota depending on the individual in order to be able to move towards customized nutrition and exercise recommendations according to the needs of each individual.