Personalized Modulation of Microbiota

Overview

Intestinal flora or microbiota is the group of bacteria that live in the intestine, in a symbiotic relationship with the human body. It is estimated that human beings have around 2,000 different bacteria species. The gut microbiota plays a key in many of the body's functions. Hence, the analysis of the gut microbiome provides insight into the state of the microbiota as an indicator of overall health due to its metabolic, protective and nutritional functions. A balanced diet promotes the formation and maintenance of a well-structured microbiota, in which the different species of microorganisms cohabit in a balanced and controlled system. The study is based on the hypothesis that the intake of certain plant-based foods rich in various active ingredients (especially non-digestible carbohydrates, certain types of fats and polyphenols) can modulate the microbiota and thus improve the health status of the human population. Taking into account this background, the objective of this study is to assess the effect of the inclusion of functional foods and ingredients within a balanced diet on the composition of the microbiota and also on health parameters associated with metabolic disease.

The 60 volunteers participating in the study who meet the inclusion criteria, will be randomly divided into two groups: * Control group (nutritional promotion): volunteers will be provided with basic nutritional recommendations based on a Mediterranean diet. * Experimental group (Nutribiota): volunteers will be instructed to follow a dietary strategy similar to the control group, but including the functional foods and ingredients developed by the companies with the aim to promote a balanced and specific diet associated with improvements in the composition of the microbiota and metabolic parameters of the volunteers. The duration of the study are 8 weeks, during which 4 visits are scheduled: * Recruitment: this visit will consist on an initial screening in which the volunteers will be informed about the characteristics of the study and will be receive the information sheet and the informed consent form to be signed by all those interested in participating in the study. Volunteers who meet the inclusion for the study will be asked to complete the Food Frequency Questionnaire and Physical Activity Questionnaire for the next visit (visit 1). In addition, each participant will be provided with a faecal microbiota sample collection kit which they will have to hand in with the corresponding sample at the next visit (visit 1). * Clinical investigation day 1 (week 0):after a fasting period of at least 10 hours, the nursing staff will take a blood sample to analyze the biochemical parameters and metabolomic profile. Anthropometric measurements will be taken from each volunteer (weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and body composition analysis by bioimpedance) with the collaboration of a dietician. In addition, faecal sample and Food Frequency Questionnaire and Physical Activity Questionnaire will be collected. Volunteers randomly assigned to the experimental group will be given the dishes and functional ingredients designed by the companies, which they will have to incorporate into a balanced dietary pattern following the indications given by the dietician. * Clinical investigation day 2 (week 4): In this visit, the adherence of the volunteers to the study will be monitored and the weight of the volunteers will be registered. In addition, all study volunteers will be given a faecal microbiota sample collection kit, which should be handed in with the corresponding sample at the final visit. Moreover, Food Frequency Questionnaire and Physical Activity Questionnaire will be given to each volunteer in order to be filled for the final visit. Volunteers who belong to the experimental group will be given dishes and functional ingredients. * Clinical investigation day 3 (week 8): Faecal sample, Food Frequency Questionnaire and Physical Activity Questionnaire will be collected. The procedures in this visit will be the same as in visit 1, but dishes and functional ingredients will not be given to the volunteers.