The One Health Initiative is a global health care strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of human health in relation to the intersections among humans, food animals and the environment including farm and food manufacturing arenas.  A number of studies suggest that obesity, glucose homeostasis disorders (e.g., type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance), lipid homeostasis disorders (i.e., dyslipidemia) and cardiovascular diseases (e.g., hypertension and fibrolysis disorders) are associated with profound metabolic imbalances, all related to the role of diet and the interaction of an individual’s gut microbiome. As an example, lactate is one nutrient that can be utilized by certain Firmicutes–members of the gut microbiome–to form fatty acids, such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate, and may be important for maintaining a stable gut microbial community. Many of the lactic acid bacteria are considered to be probiotics; and in 2011, $28 billion was spent in the U.S. on probiotic foods (particularly yogurt) and prebiotic supplements.  Monitoring food composition and nutrient intake by consumers are foundational to promulgate public policy.  This symposium brings together speakers who will discuss the relationship of the “One Health Initiative” and food microbiology to address the connections between the environment, food animals, and their effects on human health. Specific topics include the safety of prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotics, and other supplements, e.g., non-caloric artificial sweetener formulations in our diet and their effect on the metabolic activity of the gut microbiome to influence an individual’s overall health.  IAFP members will gain a better understanding of the current status of dietary components, antibiotics and nutritional supplements which compose our and diet and how this diet modulates the gut microbiota composition, and how an altered microbiota can exert profound effects on host physiology and metabolism.

Presentations