Investigating the Possible Link Between Habitual Diet, Physical Activity, Sleeping Patterns, Obesity Status and Age With Gut Bacterial Composition, Gut Barrier Function, Metabolic Endotoxemia, Systemic Inflammation and Glycaemic Control.

In the UK, 25% of the adults are affected by metabolic syndrome (NHS, 2016). Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of different conditions including: hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Such individuals also have increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The factors contributing to the development of metabolic syndrome are potentially numerous and understudied in humans, with much of what we think we know coming from animal research. Recent animal studies have pointed towards gut health playing a role in metabolic health. More specifically it has been suggested that changes in the composition of the gut microbiota may drive insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes through a mechanism that is linked to increased gut permeability and the development of metabolic endotoxemia and inflammation. Yet, this link has not been confirmed in humans. This research will look at the relationship between diet, physical activity, sleeping patterns, obesity status and age etc. and measures of gut bacterial composition, gut barrier function and metabolic health. Findings will provide us with new insights on the effect of different physiological and behavioural/ lifestyle variables on gut health and metabolic function.