Personalized Food Response Models

The human gut contains trillions of microorganisms, the majority of which are commensal bacteria. These bacteria feed on fibers from our food and produce molecules that are useful to us, which makes fiber consumption beneficial to health. Today most of us are deficient in the intake of dietary fibers, which correlates with a multiplication of non-communicable digestive tract-related diseases (such as colon cancer, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease), suggesting a link between nutrition, the microbiota and health. As a matter of fact, studies suggest that fibers are such an important source of energy for gut bacteria, that if they aren’t provided with adequate sustenance, these bacteria can turn against their human host. Since bacterial composition of the gut microbiota is specific to each individual and several different types of
fibers exist, it makes sense to us to investigate what effect does which fiber have on which specific bacteria, and what repercussion to expect on the human host.
This led to the development of PERFORM, a project carried out by the Luxembourg Institute of Health and Nium, to better understand individualized responses to foods. To do so, we will analyze data generated by the ongoing LUXFICO study, in which forty people will each be fed successively diets high and low in fibers. We will create computerized models for each participant, matching their physiological characteristics, and for each diet. First, we will monitor every change in participants health status and gut microbiota composition throughout the dietary interventions. This will allow us to better understand the impact of the presence or absence of specific dietary components on health. Then, incorporating these responses into the participants computerized alter ego will enable us to design new tools to predict people’s very own response to foods,
based on their personal characteristics.
This project will contribute to the development of an innovative approach to personalized nutrition by first aiming to expand our understanding of the effects of the gut microbiota on health, but also by the development of a commercial application, making use of this newly acquired scientific knowledge to benefit society.