Document resource
Over the past few decades, the prevalence of chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases has risen sharply, coinciding with significant environmental and lifestyle changes. While genetics play a role, the rapid increase suggests that non-genetic factors are key contributors. Among these, the gut microbiota—a vast community of microorganisms residing in the intestines—has emerged as a central regulator of health. A growing body of evidence links microbial imbalances, or dysbiosis, to various diseases, with reduced microbial richness and diversity observed in industrialised populations compared with those in non-industrialised settings. Many beneficial microbial species, once prevalent in the human gut, are now disappearing, likely due to changes in diet, hygiene and antibiotic use.