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Milk modulates the microbiota

Nature Medicine volume 18, pages 1186–1187 (2012)Cite this article

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There is a growing appreciation for the role of the gut microbiota in many conditions, including obesity and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In a recent study, Devkota et al.1 reveal how a dietary change can influence the microbiotal composition and disease pathogenesis. Feeding interleukin-10–deficient mice a diet high in saturated milk–derived fats led to the expansion of a bacterial pathobiont—a symbiotic organism that can cause pathogenesis only under certain conditions. This microbiotal change increased the incidence of colitis in these genetically susceptible mice. We asked four experts to comment on the findings of this study and how they affect understanding of the complex relationship between diet, microbiota and disease.

Andrew T Gewirtz

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Competing interests

F.B. is a scientific founder of MetaboGen AB and owns equity in the company. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Milk modulates the microbiota. Nat Med 18, 1186–1187 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.2902

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