02 Aug 2024 --- International scientists determined that people with gut Blastocystis — a single-celled organism commonly found in the digestive system — also met indicators of good cardiovascular health and decreased body fat. The team also linked healthier plant-based diets to higher Blastocystis levels. Additional studies are needed to determine if increasing Blastocystis levels could be a viable disease-prevention strategy. However, the new study suggests a potentially beneficial role for Blastocystis. While the gut microbiome is critical in the “diet-health axis,” the authors note that the role of micro-eukaryotes (a fraction of microbes) such as Blastocystis is underexplored. They add that their work may help explain personalized host responses to diet, disease causes and development.
