The Food Forum is convening a public workshop that will explore current and emerging knowledge on the human microbiome, its role in human health, its interaction with the diet, and the translation of new research findings for the improvement of the nutritional quality of the food supply.

The “human microbiome” collectively refers to all of the microorganisms inhabiting the human body, and the understanding of how human microbiota impact health is still very much a field in its infancy. While pathogenic microbes are the most infamous, most microbes actually have a commensal or symbiotic relationship with their host.

There is a known relationship between disease/health, the environment, and our endogenous microbiota, but this relationship is poorly understood. It is thought, for instance, that the human microbiome can have positive impacts on inflammation, obesity, malnutrition, and bowel diseases, but more research is needed to determine the mechanisms of action. Furthermore, more research is needed to determine how each person acquires their unique microbiota.

The workshop agenda will feature expert presentations and discussion to: (1) understand how diet influences the human microbiome, as well as how the microbiome influences the response to diet and dietary components; (2) become acquainted with the acquisition of, and potential ways to modify, the human microbiome to reduce risk and prevent or treat disease; (3) explore the societal and policy implications of applying research findings to the food supply; and (4) identify opportunities for future research and food product and technology development on the interaction between the human microbiome and diet or dietary components and how this interaction influences health outcomes.

http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Nutrition/FoodForum/2012-FEB-12.aspx