I found this topic to be very interesting. I knew the gut microbiome played many roles and contributed to many facets of our biological make-up, but I had never come across the notion that one’s gut bacteria could have an effect on their neural programming, especially in the context of addiction. Evidence of histone acetylation through the metabolism of alcohols and sugars has been thought to contribute to neurological markings. These epigenetic markings have been passed from one generation to the next and suggest a direct link between metabolism and gene regulation that is heritable (Egervari, 2019). From what I have read it seems entirely plausible that a gut enriched with Klebsiella pneumonia or Bacteroides genus bacteria could result in epigenetic neurological markings that signal cravings for foods that induce high acetate levels, whether that be through the consumption of carbohydrates or alcohol. I think these periodic cravings could easily translate to addictive-fulfilling behaviors in the future and shift to different substances as one builds a tolerance and increasing desire to consume (Ghezzi, 2013).
If these patterns are learned through epigenetic tagging, then it seems that the best precautions to take in an effort to protect yourself would be to learn your family history and monitor your intake of those substances. It could also be beneficial to have a culture produced of your gut bacteria to determine of your microflora are the kind that naturally produce large amounts of acetate. The same principles would apply to one’s biological children; they would need to know your consumption habits to make the best-informed decisions about their own behaviors. This could also apply to the amounts consumed to fulfill their cravings; if they are the product of generations that have consistently consumed and metabolized acetate, then they will likely have inherited the markings and cravings associated with that. This could lead to an ever-increasing tolerance level and thereby increased consumption levels which could contribute to an increased likelihood of associated diseases like diabetes or obesity (Ghezzi, 2013). I don’t think this information will necessarily cause me to change my consumption habits, but I will definitely be more mindful, and I’ll be sure to share these new fun facts with my friends.
Egervari, PM. (2019) Alcohol metabolism contributes to brain histone acetylation. Nature. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1700-7
Ghezzi, A. et al. (2013). Alcohol-Induced Histone Acetylation Reveals a Gene Network Involved in Alcohol Tolerance. PLoS Genet. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3861128/.