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Modern Environmental Exposures
The Disruptive Influence of Modern Environmental Exposures on the Human Metagenomic and Epigenetic Profiles
This is a detailed subject, and what it means for your situation depends on your history and your exposures at home and at work. Dr. Glowney is glad to work through it with you.
Exposures and the microbiome.
The modern human experience is characterized by many environmental exposures that influence biology's metagenomic and epigenetic profiles. These exposures, such as pollutants and dietary factors, can shape the microbial communities in the gut (Hills et al., 2019) and the regulation of our genes (epigenetics) (Wu et al., 2023). This intersection of environmental factors and our biological processes contributes to a heightened risk of chronic diseases, including metabolic syndromes, cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases (Sargis et al., 2019) (Wu et al., 2023).
Environmental pollutants, such as air pollution, heavy metals, and particulate matter, are significant disruptors of the human microbiome (Le Magueresse-Battistoni et al., 2018). Heavy metals, for instance, can alter the composition and metabolic profile of the gut microbiota (Duan et al., 2020) (Rezazadegan et al., 2025).
Antibiotics also perturb the gut microbiome (Patangia et al., 2022). While essential for combating infections, antibiotics can reduce microbial diversity and select for antibiotic-resistant strains (Patangia et al., 2022). Antibiotic use is associated with chronic conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease and type 2 diabetes (Fenneman et al., 2023).
Exposures and the epigenome.
Beyond the microbiome, environmental exposures can also significantly impact the human epigenome, altering the regulation of gene expression and contributing to disease pathogenesis. Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that chronic stress and trauma can lead to epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, which may underlie the development of various psychopathologies. The influence of modern environmental exposures on the human metagenomic and epigenetic profiles points to the need for a comprehensive understanding of these complex interactions.
Aside from the direct impacts on the microbiome, environmental exposures can also induce epigenetic changes that contribute to disease risk. Pollutants and dietary factors can alter gene expression through epigenetic changes (Wu et al., 2023) (Stover et al., 2018).
The interaction between environmental exposures, the metagenome, and the epigenome is a dynamic and complex system that influences human physiology and disease susceptibility. Understanding and addressing these complex relationships will be critical for promoting overall health and well-being in the modern environment.
Interventions under study.
The implications of this environmental-biological interaction are broad. Developing effective interventions to rehabilitate perturbed microbial ecosystems and mitigate the epigenetic consequences of environmental exposures holds immense promise for preventing and managing chronic diseases (Durack & Lynch, 2019) (Thoda & Touraki, 2023).
One promising intervention avenue is using probiotics and their derived bioactive compounds. These microorganisms and their metabolites have demonstrated immunomodulatory properties, suggesting their potential to restore gut homeostasis and dampen the inflammatory processes underlying many chronic conditions (Thoda & Touraki, 2023).
As our understanding of the human microbiome and epigenome continues to evolve, the opportunities to leverage these insights for improved health outcomes will become increasingly apparent. Embracing a holistic, systems-level approach to environmental health will empower individuals and communities to navigate the complex web of modern environmental exposures and their impacts on human biology.
In addition, the role of the gut microbiome in modulating host health warrants further exploration (Durack & Lynch, 2019). Strategies for manipulating the gut microbiome, such as dietary modulation, prebiotic and probiotic supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplantation, may offer promising avenues for managing or preventing chronic inflammatory conditions (Zhang et al., 2019).
Areas for further research.
The complex interaction between environmental exposures, the human metagenome, and epigenetic regulation is a significant area for understanding and addressing the rising burden of chronic diseases. Continued research in this field will be essential for developing comprehensive, individualized approaches to promoting overall health and resilience in the face of the modern environmental landscape.
The modern environment poses significant challenges to human health, impacting individuals' metagenomic and epigenetic profiles. Addressing these complex interactions will be important for mitigating the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and improving overall well-being.
Several key areas for future research and action emerge from this examination of the environmental-biological interplay:
Elucidating how environmental factors, such as pollutants, pharmaceuticals, and lifestyle behaviors, shape the human microbiome and epigenome and the downstream consequences for physiological processes and disease risk.
Effective interventions should be developed, including probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, to rehabilitate perturbed microbial ecosystems and dampen the inflammatory processes underlying chronic diseases.
Exploring the potential of precision medicine approaches incorporating microbiome and epigenetic data to stratify patients and personalize preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Advocating for policy and regulatory changes that promote environmental sustainability and mitigate the negative impacts of modern exposures on human and planetary health.
Integrating environmental, metagenomic, and epigenetic factors is a critical area for advancing our understanding of human health and disease.
The complex interaction between these environmental and biological factors has wide implications for human health and points to the need for a broad approach to addressing the rising burden of chronic diseases. One aspect of this approach is the need to better understand how environmental factors shape the human microbiome (Rothschild et al., 2018) and epigenome (Wu et al., 2023). Advances in high-throughput sequencing and other analytical tools have expanded our knowledge of the gut microbiome and its role in modulating host health (Durack & Lynch, 2019) (Zhang et al., 2019).
However, much remains to be learned about the precise pathways through which environmental exposures disrupt microbial communities and alter epigenetic regulation, leading to physiological changes and increased disease susceptibility.
Another area for exploration is the potential of precision medicine approaches that use microbiome data to stratify patients (Gilbert et al., 2018) and epigenetic data as biomarkers (Berdasco & Esteller, 2019). By tailoring interventions to the unique characteristics of an individual's environmental exposures, metagenomic profile, and epigenetic landscape, clinicians may be able to more effectively mitigate the health impacts of modern environmental challenges.
Addressing the complex interaction between environmental, metagenomic, and epigenetic factors will require a multidisciplinary, systems-level approach. Policy and regulatory changes that promote environmental sustainability and mitigate the negative impacts of modern exposures on human and planetary health will be crucial complements to clinical and research efforts (Durack & Lynch, 2019).
Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying the complex interactions between environmental factors, the human metagenome, and epigenetic regulation. Nonetheless, the existing evidence underscores the urgent need to address these challenges and develop comprehensive, individualized approaches to promoting overall health and resilience in the face of the modern environmental landscape.
Pollutants, the microbiome, and green space.
The modern environment, characterized by exposures to pollutants, dietary additives, microplastics, antibiotics, pesticides, and lifestyle factors such as stress and sedentary behavior, has major implications for human health. These environmental exposures can significantly disrupt individuals' metagenomic and epigenetic profiles, leading to changes in physiological processes and increased disease risk.
One aspect of this environmental-biological interaction is the impact on the human microbiome. Microbiome disruption has been linked to a range of chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disorders (Durack & Lynch, 2019).
The intersection of these environmental factors with our biological systems is a critical area for advancing our understanding of human health and disease.
Emerging research also suggests that exposure to natural environments, such as green spaces, may shape the human microbiota (Zhang et al., 2024).
The influence of the modern environment on the human metagenome and epigenome is a critical challenge for public health and biomedical research.
A multifaceted approach that integrates research, policy, and community-level interventions is needed to address this challenge further. Policy and regulatory changes that prioritize environmental sustainability, limit the use of harmful chemicals and pollutants, and promote access to natural spaces can help mitigate the negative impacts of modern exposures on human health. (Durack & Lynch, 2019)
In addition to policy and regulatory measures, community-level interventions that promote healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship can also play a crucial role in addressing the complex interplay between the modern environment and human biology.
Integrating environmental, metagenomic, and epigenetic approaches holds tremendous promise for advancing personalized and precision medicine. It will enable clinicians to develop tailored interventions that address the unique factors shaping an individual's health trajectory. Ultimately, tackling the challenges the modern environmental landscape poses will require a concerted, multidisciplinary effort that spans research, policy, and community-based initiatives. (Blaser et al., 2016)
References
Sources cited.
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- Blaser, M. J., Cardon, Z. G., Cho, M. K., Dangl, J. L., Donohue, T. J., Green, J. L., Knight, R., Maxon, M. E., Northen, T. R., Pollard, K. S., & Brodie, E. L. (2016). Toward a Predictive Understanding of Earth's Microbiomes to Address 21st Century Challenges. mBio, 7(3), e00714-16. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00714-16
- Duan, H., Yu, L., Tian, F., Zhai, Q., Fan, L., & Chen, W. (2020). Gut microbiota: A target for heavy metal toxicity and a probiotic protective strategy. Science of the Total Environment, 742, 140429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140429
- Durack, J., & Lynch, S. V. (2019). The gut microbiome: Relationships with disease and opportunities for therapy. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 216(1), 20–40. https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20180448
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Regulatory Disclaimer
Regulatory status
- Two fecal microbiota products are FDA-approved, Rebyota and Vowst. Both are approved only to prevent C. difficile infection from coming back in adults after antibiotic treatment.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation for the inflammatory conditions described in this article is investigational.
This article is provided for educational purposes and is not a recommendation or medical advice.
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