An understudied group of bacteria in our gut microbiome appears to play a central role in keeping us healthy, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge.
In a huge global study led by University of Cambridge researchers, a single group of bacteria – named CAG-170 – has repeatedly shown up in high numbers in the gut microbiomes of healthy people.
Using diverse computational approaches, the team looked for CAG-170’s genetic fingerprint in gut microbiome samples from over 11,000 people across 39 countries.
They found the level of CAG-170 present was consistently higher in healthy people than those with diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Further analysis of CAG-170 revealed they have the capacity to produce high levels of Vitamin B12, and enzymes that break down a wide range of carbohydrates, sugars and fibres in our gut.
The researchers think it’s likely the Vitamin B12 supports other species of gut bacteria, rather than supporting the humans whose guts it is being produced in.
The findings mean that CAG-170 could, in the future, be used as an indicator of our gut microbiome health. They also open the door to developing new probiotics specifically designed to support and maintain healthy levels of CAG 170 in the gut.
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