Migration alters gut microbiome, raising cardiovascular risk, study finds
A new study led by Amsterdam UMC shows that migration significantly changes the gut microbiome, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Published Monday in the journal Gut Microbes, the research highlights how shifts in diet and environment following migration can harm migrants' health, with a particular focus on West African migrants moving to Europe.
The study found that when migrants moved from Ghana to the Netherlands, their gut microbiomes underwent substantial changes. These changes are linked to rising health concerns such as poor kidney function and cardiovascular risk factors.
“Migration clearly affects the gut microbiome composition,” said Barbara Verhaar, a postdoctoral researcher at Amsterdam UMC and the study’s first author. “While earlier studies suggested migration could alter the microbiome, this study provides definitive proof, using a large sample size and controlled diet comparisons.”
The study involved over 1,100 participants from three groups: rural Ghana, urban Ghana, and the Netherlands. Each participant completed dietary questionnaires and provided blood and fecal samples. The analysis found that as migrants moved, they lost specific gut microbes and gained others. These shifts in the microbial community are tied to a rise in health risks, such as obesity and diabetes.
Charles Agyemang, Professor of Global Migration, Ethnicity & Health at Amsterdam UMC and senior author of the study, explained, “When we migrate, we lose some microbes we had in our home countries and gain new ones in our new environment. This can have a significant impact on our health.”
The study also found that migrants consumed higher levels of macronutrients like protein, fat, and salt than their peers in Ghana. This dietary shift may contribute to the changes in gut microbiota composition. The researchers noted that migrants tend to face poorer health outcomes compared to native populations, a trend seen not only in Europe but globally.
“Cardiometabolic risk is a growing concern worldwide,” Agyemang said. “Our research aims to improve interventions to reduce the risk of conditions like diabetes and hypertension and develop better management strategies.”
The study stresses the need for more research to examine the long-term effects of migration on health. Agyemang added, “We need further studies to understand how migration affects gut health and what can be done to mitigate these changes.”
Ellis Owusu-Dabo, Professor of Epidemiology and Global Health at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), which collaborated on the research, emphasized the importance of international partnerships in addressing migration-related health issues. “This study highlights the value of north-south collaborations in understanding how migration impacts health and in creating effective health policies.”
