Gut microbiota: origin or panacea for all ills? Immune and metabolic diseases, nutrition, and microbiota-based interventions

Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs), including obesity, type 2 diabetes, allergies, and autoimmune conditions, represent a significant global health burden, exacerbated by the interplay between genetic and environmental factors, such as diet, and the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic microbial community that influences host immune and metabolic systems from birth through adulthood. Dysbiosis - an imbalance in gut microbial composition - has been implicated in the development of low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic and immune disorders. This paper reviews the critical role of gut microbiota in CNCDs, emphasizing its interactions with the immune system, including regulatory T cell induction and the Th1/Th2 balance. Furthermore, it explores the influence of birth mode, diet, and xenobiotics on microbiota composition and function. Finally, the study highlights the potential of microbiota-targeted interventions - such as prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation - to modulate gut ecology and mitigate disease risk. From literature revision emerges the need for integrative approaches in disease prevention and management, considering microbiota as a key player in health and disease.