The human gut microbiota is associated with host lifestyle: a comprehensive narrative review

BackgroundThe gut microbiota serves as a critical interface between lifestyle factors and host physiology. Despite extensive research on individual domains including diet, sleep, and exercise, an integrated understanding of their synergistic effects on microbial communities remains incomplete. This...

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Main Authors: Qin Zeng, Xianqiong Feng, Yanling Hu, Shaoyu Su
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1549160/full
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author Qin Zeng
Qin Zeng
Xianqiong Feng
Xianqiong Feng
Yanling Hu
Yanling Hu
Shaoyu Su
Shaoyu Su
author_facet Qin Zeng
Qin Zeng
Xianqiong Feng
Xianqiong Feng
Yanling Hu
Yanling Hu
Shaoyu Su
Shaoyu Su
author_sort Qin Zeng
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe gut microbiota serves as a critical interface between lifestyle factors and host physiology. Despite extensive research on individual domains including diet, sleep, and exercise, an integrated understanding of their synergistic effects on microbial communities remains incomplete. This knowledge gap limits our ability to develop targeted microbiome-based interventions for metabolic and immune-related disorders.MethodsTo address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to present, identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using key terms related to gut microbiota and lifestyle interventions. Our analysis focused on studies incorporating microbiome profiling techniques, controlled lifestyle interventions, and multi-omics data integration. The review prioritized mechanistic insights from both clinical and preclinical investigations while critically assessing methodological approaches across the field.ResultsHigh-fiber dietary patterns consistently promoted the abundance of beneficial, short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, though with notable inter-individual variation. Circadian rhythm disruption was associated with reduced microbial diversity and expansion of pro-inflammatory bacterial taxa, paralleling increases in systemic inflammation markers. Athletic populations demonstrated unique microbial signatures characterized by enhanced metabolic potential, with distinct taxonomic profiles emerging across different sport disciplines.ConclusionThis work synthesizes current evidence into a novel framework for understanding lifestyle-microbiota interactions, while identifying key challenges in study design and data interpretation. We propose standardized methodological approaches for future investigations and outline translational strategies for personalized microbiota modulation. These insights advance the potential for targeted microbial interventions to optimize metabolic and immune health outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-3fd9127041f6437aae0e35cffb785c0a2025-08-20T03:16:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-06-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15491601549160The human gut microbiota is associated with host lifestyle: a comprehensive narrative reviewQin Zeng0Qin Zeng1Xianqiong Feng2Xianqiong Feng3Yanling Hu4Yanling Hu5Shaoyu Su6Shaoyu Su7Department of Pediatrics Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaNursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Pediatrics Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Pediatrics Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, ChinaBackgroundThe gut microbiota serves as a critical interface between lifestyle factors and host physiology. Despite extensive research on individual domains including diet, sleep, and exercise, an integrated understanding of their synergistic effects on microbial communities remains incomplete. This knowledge gap limits our ability to develop targeted microbiome-based interventions for metabolic and immune-related disorders.MethodsTo address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to present, identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using key terms related to gut microbiota and lifestyle interventions. Our analysis focused on studies incorporating microbiome profiling techniques, controlled lifestyle interventions, and multi-omics data integration. The review prioritized mechanistic insights from both clinical and preclinical investigations while critically assessing methodological approaches across the field.ResultsHigh-fiber dietary patterns consistently promoted the abundance of beneficial, short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, though with notable inter-individual variation. Circadian rhythm disruption was associated with reduced microbial diversity and expansion of pro-inflammatory bacterial taxa, paralleling increases in systemic inflammation markers. Athletic populations demonstrated unique microbial signatures characterized by enhanced metabolic potential, with distinct taxonomic profiles emerging across different sport disciplines.ConclusionThis work synthesizes current evidence into a novel framework for understanding lifestyle-microbiota interactions, while identifying key challenges in study design and data interpretation. We propose standardized methodological approaches for future investigations and outline translational strategies for personalized microbiota modulation. These insights advance the potential for targeted microbial interventions to optimize metabolic and immune health outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1549160/fullgut microbiomeprecision nutritioncircadian biologyexercise immunologymetabolic health
spellingShingle Qin Zeng
Qin Zeng
Xianqiong Feng
Xianqiong Feng
Yanling Hu
Yanling Hu
Shaoyu Su
Shaoyu Su
The human gut microbiota is associated with host lifestyle: a comprehensive narrative review
Frontiers in Microbiology
gut microbiome
precision nutrition
circadian biology
exercise immunology
metabolic health
title The human gut microbiota is associated with host lifestyle: a comprehensive narrative review
title_full The human gut microbiota is associated with host lifestyle: a comprehensive narrative review
title_fullStr The human gut microbiota is associated with host lifestyle: a comprehensive narrative review
title_full_unstemmed The human gut microbiota is associated with host lifestyle: a comprehensive narrative review
title_short The human gut microbiota is associated with host lifestyle: a comprehensive narrative review
title_sort human gut microbiota is associated with host lifestyle a comprehensive narrative review
topic gut microbiome
precision nutrition
circadian biology
exercise immunology
metabolic health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1549160/full
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