Interplay between Diet, Exercise, and the Gut Microbiota: Current Insights and Future Direction

Dear Colleagues,

The role of the gut microbiota in maintaining health and physiological homeostasis that influences metabolic function, immune system, and redox levels is increasingly recognized.

There are billions of bacteria in the adult gut microbiota, representing hundreds of distinct species. Only one-third of gut microbiota is typical for most people; the other two-thirds are unique and increase genetic variability. The host's physiology, metabolism, immunology, and behaviour are all affected by changes in gut microbiota, which functions as an endocrine organ. Dietary factors affect the overall composition of the gut microbiota; for instance, diets high in fat and refined carbohydrates and low in fibre result in a decrease in the variety of the microbial population and changes to their structure and activity. Exercise is another important environmental component that may impact the diversity of the gut microbiota. Exercise's impact on gut microbiota is influenced by the timing, intensity, and anamnestic traits of the participant. By affecting microbial metabolite synthesis, gastrointestinal physiology, and immunological regulation, the gut microbiota may, in turn, contribute to the effects of food intake on health and athletic performance, according to current research. Even though this is a young and promising field of study, further investigations that combine, manage, and alter all three factors (diet, exercise, and gut microbiota) are required.

This Special Issue will publish manuscripts describing either original research or analytical reviews on the mutual interaction between different diets, different types of exercise and microbiota, with a focus on other factors playing a role in this relationship, such as nutritional supplements, health status, and individual diversity. Although work in humans is preferred, animal and cellular studies will also be considered.

Dr. Deborah Agostini
Dr. Sabrina Donati Zeppa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• gut microbiota
• diet
• nutrition
• physical exercise
• supplements
• gut–muscle axis