Modulation of gut microbiota by dietary macronutrients in type 2 diabetes: a review

Abstract

Dietary interventions have been a first-line strategy in the long-term management and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently, low carbohydrate diets and ketogenic diets emerged as common dietary approaches in managing T2DM. Literature suggests macronutrients impose significant impacts on the gut microbiome related to glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and inflammation. Although there is insufficient literature on gut microbiota modulation via dietary macronutrient management, this area of study has been gradually gaining interest amongst researchers. This review describes the current evidence and summarizes specific dietary macronutrients' effects in sculpting the diverse gut microbiome. Potential crucial research concepts could help develop macronutrient-specific diets to modulate gut microbiota beneficial to T2DM management and pathogenesis.