A diet of U.S. military food rations alters gut microbiota composition and does not increase intestinal permeability
Abstract
Interactions between gut microbes and dietary components modulate intestinal permeability (IP) and inflammation. Recent studies have reported altered fecal microbiota composition together with increased IP and inflammation in individuals consuming military food rations in austere environments, but could not isolate effects of the diet from environmental factors. To determine how the U.S. Meal, Ready-to-Eat food ration affects fecal microbiota composition, IP and inflammation, 60 adults (95 male,1861 years) were randomized to consume their usual ad libitum diet for 31 days (CON) or a strictly controlled Meal, Ready-to-Eat-only diet for 21 days followed by their usual diet for 10 days (MRE). In both groups, fecal microbiota composition was measured before, during (INT, days 121) and after the intervention period. IP and inflammation [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)] were measured on days 0, 10, 21 and 31. Longitudinal changes in fecal microbiota composition differed between groups (P=.005), and fecal samples collected from MRE during INT were identified with 88 accuracy using random forest models. The genera making the strongest contribution to that prediction accuracy included multiple lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc), which demonstrated lower relative abundance in MRE, and several genera known to dominate the ileal microbiota (Streptococcus, Veillonella, Clostridium), the latter two demonstrating higher relative abundance in MRE. IP and hsCRP were both lower (34 and 41 , respectively) in MRE relative to CON on day 21 (P<.05) but did not differ otherwise. Findings demonstrate that a Meal, Ready-to-Eat ration diet alters fecal microbiota composition and does not increase IP or inflammation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1100203
Entities
People
- Holly L. Mcclung
- J Philip Karl
- Jason W. Soares
- Jennifer C Rood
- Kenneth Racicot
- Nicholes J. Armstrong
- Robert A. Player
- Scott J. Montain
Organizations
- United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center