Gut Microbiota as a Modifiable Factor in Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are one of the main causes of illness and death around the world. For many years, genes and lifestyle were seen as the main reasons for these diseases. But new studies show that the gut microbiome also plays an important role in these diseases. This review summarizes what we know about the role of gut bacteria in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. It describes how an imbalance in gut bacteria drives the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The main processes are increased energy extraction from food and chronic inflammation caused by the LPS/CD14 pathway. At the same time, this paper discussed intestinal microbial metabolites, especially the importance of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) in CVD. It causes atherosclerosis by affecting cholesterol metabolism, platelet reactivity, and bile acid metabolism.Nowadays, there are many ways to prevent metabolic diseases and reduce the impact of TMAO, the most basic of which is to modify diet. These results can have a better understanding on the interaction between diet and disease. Also, it is possible to develop new diagnostic biomarkers and treatment strategies for intestinal microbiome. Future research should focus on solving existing problems and turning these findings into personalized clinical interventions, thus to reduce the burden of NCDs.