Blautia

Blautia is a genus of anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria belonging to the family Lachnospiraceae within the phylum Firmicutes. These bacteria are commonly found in the human gastrointestinal tract and are significant for their role in maintaining gut health. Blautia helps in fermenting dietary fibers to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate, which is crucial for colon health and modulating the immune system. Its presence has been associated with protective effects against obesity and other metabolic disorders.¹Liu, H., Chen, X., Hu, X., Niu, H., Tian, R., Wang, H., Pang, H., Jiang, L., Qiu, B. (2021). Altered gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid profiles in patients with depression. European Psychiatry, 64(1), e7. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.98.

Role of Blautia species in human health

1. Gastrointestinal Health: Blautia is prolific in fermenting dietary fibers to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate. SCFAs are essential for maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier, providing energy for colonocytes, and regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Butyrate, in particular, has anti-inflammatory properties that help protect against disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer. It also helps maintain a healthy balance in the gut microbiota by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting pathogens.²Hamer, H. M., Jonkers, D., Venema, K., Vanhoutvin, S., Troost, F. J., & Brummer, R. J. (2008). The role of butyrate on colonic function. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 27(2), 104-119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03562.x.
2. Metabolic Health: Blautia has been associated with beneficial effects on metabolic health. It plays a role in obesity and associated metabolic conditions such as diabetes. Studies suggest that Blautia levels are inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI) and obesity. Higher Blautia abundance is linked to improved lipid metabolism and enhanced glycemic control. This is thought to be mediated through the production of SCFAs, which can influence energy homeostasis and insulin sensitivity.³Kasai, C., Sugimoto, K., Moritani, I., Tanaka, J., Oya, Y., Inoue, H., Tameda, M., Shiraki, K., Ito, M., Takei, Y., & Takase, K. (2015). Comparison of the gut microbiota composition between obese and non-obese individuals in a Japanese population, as analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and next-generation sequencing. BMC Gastroenterology, 15, 100. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-015-0330-2.
3. Immune System Modulation: The SCFAs produced by Blautia, particularly butyrate, have significant immunomodulatory effects. Butyrate can inhibit the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and promote the differentiation of regulatory T cells, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting immune tolerance. This modulation is crucial for preventing autoimmunity and managing allergic reactions.⁴Furusawa, Y., Obata, Y., Fukuda, S., Endo, T. A., Nakato, G., Takahashi, D., Nakanishi, Y., Uetake, C., Kato, K., Kato, T., Takahashi, M., Fukuda, N. N., Murakami, S., Miyauchi, E., Hino, S., Atarashi, K., Onawa, S., Fujimura, Y., Lockett, T., Clarke, J. M., Topping, D. L., Tomita, M., Hori, S., Ohara, O., Morita, T., Koseki, H., Kikuchi, J., Honda, K., Hase, K., & Ohno, H. (2013). Commensal microbe-derived butyrate induces the differentiation of colonic regulatory T cells. Nature, 504, 446-450. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12721.
4. Cardiovascular Health: Emerging evidence suggests a role for Blautia in cardiovascular health. The genus has been found to influence cholesterol metabolism, potentially lowering the risk of heart disease. Butyrate and other SCFAs can reduce serum cholesterol levels and improve vascular function, although the mechanisms are not fully understood.⁵Wang, Z., Klipfell, E., Bennett, B. J., Koeth, R., Levison, B. S., Dugar, B., Feldstein, A. E., Britt, E. B., Fu, X., Chung, Y. M., et al. (2015). Gut flora metabolism of phosphatidylcholine promotes cardiovascular disease. Nature, 472, 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09922.
5. Mental Health: There is also interest in the potential influence of Blautia on mental health through the gut-brain axis. Some studies have linked changes in Blautia abundance to neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety, although the exact mechanisms remain under investigation (Jiang et al., 2015).⁶Jiang, H., Ling, Z., Zhang, Y., Mao, H., Ma, Z., Yin, Y., Wang, W., Tang, W., Tan, Z., Shi, J., Li, L., & Ruan, B. (2015). Altered fecal microbiota composition in patients with major depressive disorder. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 48, 186-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2015.03.016.

Best sources of Blautia

Blautia is a genus of bacteria that primarily resides in the human gut, and it is not obtained directly from dietary sources. However, its growth and activity can be influenced by dietary choices, particularly the consumption of foods rich in various types of fiber. To support Blautia, consuming a diet high in fermentable fibers is beneficial. Foods such as whole grains, legumes, and vegetables are excellent for promoting a diverse and healthy gut microbiota, which can enhance the abundance of Blautia.

These dietary fibres serve as prebiotics, which ferment in the colon and produce short-chain fatty acids that beneficial microbes like Blautia utilize. Particularly, resistant starches found in cooked and cooled potatoes, underripe bananas, and legumes can be effective in supporting the growth of Blautia. Additionally, inulin-type fructans found in garlic, onions, and leeks are also known to promote its growth.⁷Scott, K. P., Gratz, S. W., Sheridan, P. O., Flint, H. J., & Duncan, S. H. (2013). The influence of diet on the gut microbiota. Pharmacological Research, 69(1), 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2012.10.020.

Where to find Blautia in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test

You will find your Blautia score in the “Acetate” section of the “Postbiotics” report in your Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test results.

Synonyms:

Blautia does not have synonyms as it is a specific genus name in taxonomy. However, it’s worth noting that some species originally classified under other genera such as “Ruminococcus” have been reclassified into the Blautia genus based on genetic and phenotypic analyses. Blautia is commonly found alongside other genera in the Lachnospiraceae family such as Roseburia, Eubacterium, and Coprococcus, which also play significant roles in fermenting dietary fibers to produce beneficial metabolites like butyrate in the human colon. These genera collectively help in maintaining a healthy intestinal environment, influencing everything from digestion to immune regulation.

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.

References

• 1
  Liu, H., Chen, X., Hu, X., Niu, H., Tian, R., Wang, H., Pang, H., Jiang, L., Qiu, B. (2021). Altered gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid profiles in patients with depression. European Psychiatry, 64(1), e7. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.98.
• 2
  Hamer, H. M., Jonkers, D., Venema, K., Vanhoutvin, S., Troost, F. J., & Brummer, R. J. (2008). The role of butyrate on colonic function. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 27(2), 104-119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03562.x.
• 3
  Kasai, C., Sugimoto, K., Moritani, I., Tanaka, J., Oya, Y., Inoue, H., Tameda, M., Shiraki, K., Ito, M., Takei, Y., & Takase, K. (2015). Comparison of the gut microbiota composition between obese and non-obese individuals in a Japanese population, as analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and next-generation sequencing. BMC Gastroenterology, 15, 100. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-015-0330-2.
• 4
  Furusawa, Y., Obata, Y., Fukuda, S., Endo, T. A., Nakato, G., Takahashi, D., Nakanishi, Y., Uetake, C., Kato, K., Kato, T., Takahashi, M., Fukuda, N. N., Murakami, S., Miyauchi, E., Hino, S., Atarashi, K., Onawa, S., Fujimura, Y., Lockett, T., Clarke, J. M., Topping, D. L., Tomita, M., Hori, S., Ohara, O., Morita, T., Koseki, H., Kikuchi, J., Honda, K., Hase, K., & Ohno, H. (2013). Commensal microbe-derived butyrate induces the differentiation of colonic regulatory T cells. Nature, 504, 446-450. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12721.
• 5
  Wang, Z., Klipfell, E., Bennett, B. J., Koeth, R., Levison, B. S., Dugar, B., Feldstein, A. E., Britt, E. B., Fu, X., Chung, Y. M., et al. (2015). Gut flora metabolism of phosphatidylcholine promotes cardiovascular disease. Nature, 472, 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09922.
• 6
  Jiang, H., Ling, Z., Zhang, Y., Mao, H., Ma, Z., Yin, Y., Wang, W., Tang, W., Tan, Z., Shi, J., Li, L., & Ruan, B. (2015). Altered fecal microbiota composition in patients with major depressive disorder. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 48, 186-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2015.03.016.
• 7
  Scott, K. P., Gratz, S. W., Sheridan, P. O., Flint, H. J., & Duncan, S. H. (2013). The influence of diet on the gut microbiota. Pharmacological Research, 69(1), 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2012.10.020.

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