The beneficial role of healthy microbiome in metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular health

The human gut hosts approximately 10 trillion to 100 trillion microbes. Numerous studies have shown a link between these microbial cells and metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is a group of risk factors that increase the chances of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. MetS is characterized by increased insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Studies done on animal models and human clinical trials have revealed taxonomical signatures in MetS and cardiovascular disease. Low-grade inflammation is one of the links connecting MetS to a dysbiotic gut. The link is characterized by a perturbed gut barrier, short-chain fatty acids, and branched-chain amino acids at the cellular and molecular levels. Although a link correlating MetS and gut microbiota exists, causal links have not yet been established in humans. Hence more clinical trials are needed to understand the pathogenic role of the gut in MetS and cardiovascular disease. This might help in the development of therapeutic strategies and management tools.