#556: Can We Restore the Gut Microbiome Through Dietary Changes? – Anissa Armet, PhD

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Introduction

There is research suggesting that industrialization has significantly altered the composition of our gut microbiota, with certain microbial species now absent in many industrialized populations.

Given the known associations between gut microbiome diversity and health, researchers have begun investigating whether restoring lost microbial species and adopting dietary patterns similar to those of non-industrialized populations could lead to measurable health benefits.

In a newly-published study, the investigators aimed to explore whether L. reuteri could be successfully reintroduced into the microbiome through the “Restore Diet” and whether such a shift would result in improvements in key cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers.

One of the authors, Dr. Anissa Armet, is on the podcast to discuss this area and both the potential and limitations of microbiome restoration efforts.


Guest Information

Anissa Armet, PhD, RD

Dr. Anissa Armet is a Registered Dietitian and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Alberta. Anissa completed her PhD in Nutrition and Metabolism in March 2024, then transitioned into her postdoc to research the effects of microbiome-targeted dietary interventions in inflammatory bowel diseases. She has authored a number of high-impact journal articles on various topics related to the gut microbiome, particularly on its relevance for human nutrition. Anissa uses machine learning in her research to determine if the gut microbiome predicts clinical responses in the context of precision nutrition. 

Being equally passionate about knowledge translation, Anissa co-authored an award-winning, open-access high-protein cookbook designed to support muscle health, and is currently developing a plant-based version that would support microbiome and cardiometabolic health. The recipes she designed as part of the ‘Restore Diet’ from one of the randomized controlled trials in her PhD are also available for free online in a mini cookbook. 


Timestamps

  • [03:48] Interview start
  • [08:45] Understanding gut microbiome restoration
  • [11:44] Challenges in microbiome research
  • [21:03] Study design and objectives
  • [43:23] Key findings and results
  • [47:46] Future research directions
  • [01:04:04] Key ideas segment (premium-only)


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