In this episode, I talk with Gabriel Baldanzi, PhD, M.D., and Koen Dekkers, Research Assistant, who work in the same research group at Uppsala University. They are both actively researching the role of the gut microbiome in human health and chronic disease.

Studies discussed in this episode:

1. ​Dekkers, K.F., Sayols-Baixeras, S., Baldanzi, G. et al. An online atlas of human plasma metabolite signatures of gut microbiome composition. Nature Communications 13, 5370 (2022).
2. ​Baldanzi, Gabriel et al. Accelerometer-based physical activity is associated with the gut microbiota in 8416 individuals in SCAPIS. eBioMedicine, Volume 100, 104989.
3. ​Baldanzi, Gabriel et al., OSA Is Associated With the Human Gut Microbiota Composition and Functional Potential in the Population-Based Swedish CardioPulmonary bioImage Study. CHEST, Volume 164, Issue 2, 503 - 516.

Gutsy atlas link⁠.

Episode chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest researchers, discussing the role of the gut microbiome in chronic diseases.

06:00 Overview of how bacteria in the gut impact health, immune response, and metabolism.

09:24 Methods used in the study, focusing on shotgun metagenomics and its advantages.

10:01 The relationship between gut microbiota-derived metabolites like TMAO and cardiovascular risk.

12:11 Explanation of metagenomics methods used in the study to measure gut microbiome.

18:09 Overview of the study’s large sample size and its unique approach.

20:44 Health Implications of Butyrate

21:37 Fiber’s Role in Butyrate Production

23:32 Diet and Gut Microbiome Diversity

27:18 Fiber Intake and Gut Health

30:19 Alpha Diversity in the Gut Microbiome

37:05 Microbiome Diversity and Type 2 Diabetes

44:00 Future of Microbiome Sampling Techniques: Capsule Innovations

45:04 Exploring Rare and Uncatalogued Species

47:02 The Role of AI in Gut Microbiome Research

50:00 Selecting Metabolites for Research Focus & Gutsy Atlas

01:00:11 Coffee Metabolites and Their Variance

01:00:40 Interpreting Associations between Coffee Metabolites and Gut Microbiota Variety and Specific Species

01:06:27 Streptococcus salivarius and Coffee Metabolites

01:10:31 Plasma Nucleotides and Gut Microbiome

01:12:12 Physical Activity and Gut Microbiome Diversity

01:14:55 Dietary Fiber and Gut Microbiome Diversity

01:15:53 Physical Activity and Its Impact on Gut Health

01:16:46 Physical Activity, Adiposity, and Microbiome Diversity

01:19:25:12 Genetic Predisposition and Physical Activity Effects

01:22:14 Gut Microbiota and Exercise Enjoyment

01:22:55 Gut-Brain Axis and Exercise

01:23:43 Lactate-consuming Bacteria in Marathon Runners

01:25:23 Gut Microbiota and Physical Activity Habits

01:25:51 Sedentary Behavior and GABA-producing E. coli Abundance

01:27:36 Gut Microbiota’s Effect on Behavior

01:28:40 Vagus Nerve and Gut Microbiota Influence

01:30:07 Fecal Transplants and Mood Enhancement

01:32:47 Colonization Resistance and Probiotics, The Long-Term Effects of Supplementing Gut Bacteria

01:37:28 Factors Influencing Probiotic Retention

01:38:47 Risks of Probiotics Competing with Native Species

01:43:36 What Diet is Best for Promoting a Healthy Gut Microbiome

01:45:30 Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Gut Microbiome

01:47:58 Hypoxia and its Impact on the Gut Microbiome, Including by Altering Lactate and Propionate Metabolism

02:00:07 Cognitive Performance and the Gut Microbiome

02:00:31 Upcoming Large Microbiome Studies

02:01:08 Preliminary Findings in Microbiome and Cognition

02:06:45 Current Microbiome Tests for Consumers on the Commercial Market

02:10:50 Antibiotic Use and Its Long-Term Effects on the Microbiome

02:13:22 Conclusion and Thanks