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Study Suggests Gut Microbes Traveled With Humans Across Continents

12:07 PM ETConfirmed

Science Desk

In Short: Researchers studying the gut microbiomes of indigenous populations have found evidence suggesting that certain microbes have traveled with humans across continents over thousands of years.

The Tsimane people, who live in the Bolivian Amazon and maintain a traditional lifestyle, were a key focus of the study.

According to Justin Sonnenburg, a professor at Stanford University and the study's senior author, the presence of similar microbes in different populations over long periods may indicate that human genomes have adapted to expect certain microbial functions.

Sonnenburg noted, however, that the health implications of losing ancestral microbial taxa in industrialized societies remain unclear.

Other scientists not involved in the study expressed interest but emphasized the need for further research to confirm the hypothesis.

The study, published in Nature, highlights the importance of microbial biodiversity in the human gut and its potential impact on health.

Paleontologists have also found evidence of ancient animals containing more carbon-13 isotopes than expected, suggesting dietary or environmental factors.

While the study provides insights into the co-evolution of humans and their gut microbiomes, it does not definitively establish the health impacts of microbial loss in modern populations.

The study's implications extend beyond just health, touching on broader questions about human evolution and the role of microbes in shaping human biology.

Professor Sonnenburg's team is now exploring how these microbial communities have adapted over time and how their loss might affect human health.

The research underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of the human microbiome and its role in health and disease.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• The Tsimane people, who live in the Bolivian Amazon and maintain a traditional lifestyle, were a key focus of the study.
• According to Justin Sonnenburg, a professor at Stanford University and the study's senior author, the presence of similar microbes in different populations over long periods may indicate that human genomes have adapted to expect certain microbial functions.
• Sonnenburg noted, however, that the health implications of losing ancestral microbial taxa in industrialized societies remain unclear.
• Other scientists not involved in the study expressed interest but emphasized the need for further research to confirm the hypothesis.
• The study, published in Nature, highlights the importance of microbial biodiversity in the human gut and its potential impact on health.
• Paleontologists have also found evidence of ancient animals containing more carbon-13 isotopes than expected, suggesting dietary or environmental factors.
• While the study provides insights into the co-evolution of humans and their gut microbiomes, it does not definitively establish the health impacts of microbial loss in modern populations.
• The study's implications extend beyond just health, touching on broader questions about human evolution and the role of microbes in shaping human biology.
• Professor Sonnenburg's team is now exploring how these microbial communities have adapted over time and how their loss might affect human health.
• The research underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of the human microbiome and its role in health and disease.

What's still developing

• The indigenous Tsimane people forage, fish and hunt in the Bolivian Amazon, some 7,000 miles away.
• "From a health perspective, is it good or deleterious that industrialized humans have lost a lot of ancestral microbial taxa [groups]? We actually don't know."
• "When you start to lose biodiversity in your gut, there may be big issues for your human biology to adjust to and accommodate." Other researchers not affiliated with the paper say the hypothesis is intriguing, but not yet proven — and that perhaps there's a reason these microbes tend not to appear in city dwellers' guts.
• Studying which microorganisms have been long-term residents of the human gut and may have co-evolved with humans 2, 7, 8 could provide insights into how microbial biodiversity loss affects human health.
• Our findings indicate that a diverse gut microbiome co-migrated with humans worldwide and has persisted over millennia.
• Paleontologists studying Cretaceous fossils have repeatedly found that the teeth of many ancient animals contain more of a heavier carbon isotope, carbon-13, than their presumed plant-based diets would predict.
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Sources

• NPRlink
• Naturelink
• Sci.Newslink
• Scitechdailylink
• Inewslink
• Warpbeatlink
• Dailygalaxylink
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• Androidauthoritylink
• Ars Technicalink
• Natureworldnewslink
• Journalistsresourcelink
• Metrolink
• Sciencedailylink
• Science Newslink
• WarpBeat — background on New Study Suggests Ancient Animals May Have Evolved Earlier Than Fossil Evidence Indicates link