A study led by Amsterdam UMC has revealed that migrants from West Africa to Europe undergo a significant shift in their gut microbiome compared to non-migrants in West Africa increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease. Published in the journal Gut Microbes the peer-reviewed research shows that individuals who lost certain microbial groups or acquired new ones were more likely to exhibit cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension diabetes obesity and impaired kidney function.

Our findings clearly highlight the impact of migration on health outcomes says Barbara Verhaar postdoctoral researcher at Amsterdam UMC and lead author of the study conducted in collaboration with the University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST).

While previous research suggested that migration influences the microbiome many studies were limited by small sample sizes lack of dietary control or comparisons only between first- and second-generation migrants. By using our RODAM study cohort we provide definitive evidence of these changes Verhaar explains.

The Amsterdam UMC-led study involved over 1,100 participants across two continents and three locations: rural Ghana urban Ghana and the Netherlands. Participants completed standardized dietary questionnaires and submitted fecal and blood samples to assess gut microbiome composition. The analysis confirmed distinct microbial differences among the groups, supporting the theory that migration leads to a loss of certain microbes and the emergence of new ones along the migration path.

Health Outcomes 

Both previous research and the World Health Organization have noted that migrants often face poorer health outcomes compared to native populations a trend confirmed by Amsterdam UMC’s findings in the Netherlands.

This study emphasizes the crucial role of gut health in understanding the negative health effects frequently linked to migration says Charles Agyemang Professor of Global Migration Ethnicity & Health at Amsterdam UMC and senior author of the study. It’s remarkable to see how migrating can lead to the loss of beneficial microbes from our countries of origin and the acquisition of new ones in host countries changes that significantly impact our health.  

We found that dietary macronutrients especially protein, fat, and salt consumed at higher levels by migrants were most strongly linked to shifts in gut microbiota composition. These dietary changes may have contributed to the microbial alterations observed. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Cardiometabolic risk is an increasing global concern and Professor Charles Agyemang is at the forefront of numerous initiatives aimed at addressing it. Leading projects in both the Netherlands and various African countries, he focuses on developing effective interventions to prevent and manage cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

As part of these efforts including the current study Agyemang collaborates with institutions worldwide particularly in Africa to enhance research in Amsterdam through the integration of international data. He is also committed to ensuring that research findings are translated into actionable policies that drive meaningful health improvements.

Source: https://www.miragenews.com/migration-alters-diet-raises-heart-risk-via-gut-1439920/