The role of microbiome and metabolomics in personalized ICU nutrition
Keywords:
critical care nutrition, dysbiosis, gut microbiome, metabolomics, personalized nutrition
Abstract
Emerging research highlights the essential influence of the gut microbiome and metabolic profiling in managing critically ill patients. In contemporary intensive care units, nutritional support transcends traditional caloric and protein matching; it demands a responsive, multifactorial approach that acknowledges microbial ecology and dynamic metabolic states. These scientific advancements hold promise for redefining nutritional protocols and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care. The gut microbiome, often termed "the forgotten organ," significantly impacts immune function, energy metabolism, and mucosal health. Similarly, metabolomics—the study of small molecular byproducts of cellular processes—provides real-time insight into patient physiology. Combined, these tools are propelling a revolution in personalized nutritional interventions in the ICU.Downloads
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5. Wischmeyer PE, McDonald D, Knight R. Role of the microbiome, probiotics, and 'dysbiosis therapy' in critical illness. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016;22(4):347–353. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCC.0000000000000322
6. Wishart DS. Emerging applications of metabolomics in drug discovery and precision medicine. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2016;15(7):473–484. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2016.32
7. Langley RJ, Tsalik EL, van Velkinburgh JC, et al. An integrated clinico-metabolomic model improves prediction of death in sepsis. SciTransl Med. 2013;5(195):195ra95. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.3005893
8. Andrianova NV, Popkov VA, Klimenko NS, et al. Microbiome-metabolome signature of acute kidney injury. Metabolites. 2020;10(9):352. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo10090352
9. Valdes AM, Walter J, Segal E, Spector TD. Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. BMJ. 2018;361:k2179. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k2179
10. Wischmeyer PE. Tailoring nutrition therapy to illness and recovery. Crit Care. 2017;21(Suppl 3):316. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-017-1881-6
Submitted
2025-09-19
Published
2025-09-29
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2025 Santiago Herrero
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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