The ratio of bad germs to excellent germs (Dysbiosis Index worth) at standard and following each test diet plan in individuals at raised danger of heart disease. The basic Western diet plan had the greatest dysbiosis index worth compared to other diet plan groups, which shows a higher number of bad germs as compared to great germs. WD = entire walnuts, WFMD = matched walnut control diet plan with the very same quantity of omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, and polyunsaturated fats as the walnut diet plan however without walnuts, ORAD = oleic acid changes ALA in diet plan without walnuts. Credit: Mansi Chandra, Juniata College
A brand-new research study analyzing the gene expression of gut microorganisms recommends that the heart-healthy advantages of walnuts might be connected to useful modifications in the mix of microorganisms discovered in our gut. The findings might assist recognize other foods or supplements with comparable dietary advantages.
Scientists led by Kristina S. Petersen from Texas Tech University in Lubbock discovered that presenting walnuts into an individual’s diet plan might modify the gut’s mix of microorganisms– referred to as the microbiome– in a manner that increases the body’s production of the amino acid L-homoarginine. Homoarginine shortage has actually been connected to greater threat for heart disease.
“Research has actually revealed that walnuts might have heart-healthy advantages like decreasing cholesterol levels and high blood pressure,” stated Mansi Chandra, an undergraduate scientist at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. “This determined us to take a look at how walnuts benefited the gut microbiome and whether those impacts caused the possible useful results. Our findings represent a brand-new system through which walnuts might reduce heart disease danger.”
The scientists utilized a technique called metatranscriptomics to study the gene expression of gut microorganisms. This just recently established innovation can be utilized to measure gene expression levels and keep track of how these levels shift in reaction to different conditions such as dietary modifications.
“To our understanding, this is the very first research study to utilize metatranscriptomics analysis for studying the effect of walnut usage on the gut microbiota gene expression,” Chandra stated. “These exploratory analyses add to our understanding of walnut-related modulation of gut microbiome, which might be really impactful in discovering how gut health affects our heart health in basic.”
The metatranscriptomics analysis utilized sampl