Narrative Review of Microbiome and Non-Communicable Diseases
Ahereza Prissy
Department of Pharmacy Kampala International University Uganda
Email: prissy.ahereza@studwc.kiu.ac.ug
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory disorders, are the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in microbiome research have revealed its central role in the onset, progression, and potential management of NCDs. The microbiome contributes to host metabolism, immune regulation, gut–brain signaling, and barrier integrity, with dysbiosis linked to systemic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and tumorigenesis. Mechanistic pathways include altered production of microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and trimethylamine-N-oxide, as well as disruption of immune tolerance and epithelial barrier functions. Diet is a major determinant of microbial composition and diversity, influencing NCD susceptibility and progression. Evidence supports that both Westernized and fiber-deficient diets promote dysbiosis, while plant-rich dietary patterns enhance microbial resilience and anti-inflammatory potential. Emerging therapeutic strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, dietary modulation, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), offer opportunities to restore microbial balance and improve health outcomes. However, methodological challenges, inter-individual variability, and limited longitudinal data complicate translation into clinical practice. This review synthesizes current evidence on the microbiome’s role in NCDs, highlighting mechanisms, dietary influences, and microbiome-targeted interventions, while outlining future directions for precision medicine.
Keywords: Microbiome, Non-communicable diseases, Dysbiosis, Gut–brain axis, and Probiotics and prebiotics.
CITE AS: Ahereza Prissy (2025). Narrative Review of Microbiome and Non-Communicable Diseases. IDOSR JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES 11(2): 59-69. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JES/112.5969