Ruminococcus gnavus
Ruminococcus gnavus is an intestinal bacterium that naturally occurs in the human intestinal flora. It has a unique ability to break down mucin, a protective layer of mucus that covers the intestinal lining. (1-2) This process is normally harmless, but higher levels of Ruminococcus gnavus can be associated with various health problems.
Scientific Evidence of Health Impact
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A study published in Gastroenterology found that higher levels of Ruminococcus gnavus are common in people with IBS. (3) IBS is characterized by symptoms such as gas, abdominal pain, and cramping. If you experience these symptoms, it may be worth checking your Ruminococcus gnavus levels.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Several studies have linked high levels of Ruminococcus gnavus to inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. (5-9) These diseases involve chronic inflammation of the gut and can lead to serious complications if not properly managed.
Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Interestingly, research has also shown a trend towards higher levels of Ruminococcus gnavus in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. (10-11) This suggests that gut flora may play a role in the development of metabolic diseases.
Allergic Conditions in Children: A study published in Gastroenterology showed that children with eczema and asthma had higher levels of Ruminococcus gnavus compared to healthy children. (12) This points to a possible link between gut flora and the development of allergic diseases.
Practical Advice for Managing Ruminococcus gnavus Levels
Dietary Changes: A balanced diet rich in fiber can help regulate gut flora. Try to include more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Fiber acts as prebiotics and can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria while reducing harmful bacteria.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that serve as food for probiotics. By including both probiotics (e.g., yogurt, kefir) and prebiotics (e.g., onions, garlic, bananas) in your diet, you can support a healthy gut flora.
Medical Monitoring: If you suspect that you have high levels of Ruminococcus gnavus or experience symptoms such as gas, abdominal pain, or cramping, you should seek medical advice. Doctors can conduct tests to determine your bacterial levels and provide recommendations for treatment.
Conclusion Ruminococcus gnavus is part of our natural gut flora but can cause problems if its levels become too high. Scientific studies have linked high levels to various health conditions such as IBS, inflammatory bowel diseases, prediabetes, and allergic diseases in children. By following practical advice on dietary changes and probiotic supplementation, as well as seeking medical advice when needed, you can effectively manage your levels of this bacterium.
Scientific References:
Crost, EH et al. (2013). Utilization of mucin glycans by the human gut symbiont Ruminococcus gnavus is strain-dependent. PloS One, 8(10), e76341.
Crost, EH et al. (2016). The mucin-degradation strategy of Ruminococcus gnavus: The importance of intramolecular trans-sialidases. Gut Microbes, 7(4), 302–312.
Rajilic-Stojanovic M et al. (2011). Global and deep molecular analysis of microbiota signatures in fecal samples from patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. Nov 2011;141(5):1792-801.
Matthew T et al. (2019). Ruminococcus gnavus, a member of the human gut microbiome associated with Crohn’s disease, produces an inflammatory polysaccharide. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Jun 2019, 116 (26) 12672-12677.
Hall, AB et al. (2017). A novel Ruminococcus gnavus clade enriched in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Genome Med 9, 103.
Willing BP, et al. (2010). A pyrosequencing study in twins shows that gastrointestinal microbial profiles vary with inflammatory bowel disease phenotypes. Gastroenterology 139: 1844–1854.
Joossens M et al. (2011). Dysbiosis of the fecal microbiota in patients with Crohn’s disease and their unaffected relatives. Gut 60: 631–637.
Prindiville T et al. (2004). Ribosomal DNA sequence analysis of mucosa-associated bacteria in Crohn’s disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 10: 824-833.
Png CW et al. (2010). Mucolytic bacteria with increased prevalence in IBD mucosa augment in vitro utilization of mucin by other bacteria. Am J Gastroenterol 105: 2420–2428.
Rodrigues, RR. et al. (2021). Transkingdom interactions between Lactobacilli and hepatic mitochondria attenuate western diet-induced diabetes. Nat Commun 12, 101.
Allin KH, et al. (2018). Aberrant intestinal microbiota in individuals with prediabetes. Diabetologia. 2018;61(4):810-820.
Chua, HH et al. (2021). Intestinal dysbiosis featuring abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus associates with allergic diseases in infants. Gastroenterology vol. 154,1 (2018): 154-167.
