Eubacterium rectale

Sample type: Stool

Optimal result: 0.455 – 4.199 Healthy Relative Abundance IQR (%)

Microbiome Labs

By Healthmatters Editorial Team

Peer-reviewed sources

Elevated levels of Eubacterium rectale generally signify positive health outcomes, particularly related to gut health and immune function.

Here are the key points:

Beneficial gut bacteria: Eubacterium rectale is one of the most prevalent bacterial species in the human colon, accounting for up to 13% of the gut microbiota .

Butyrate production: E. rectale is a major contributor to the production of butyrate, a beneficial short-chain fatty acid, in the gut .

Anti-inflammatory effects: Higher levels of E. rectale are associated with reduced inflammation in the gut and potentially systemically .

Protection against certain diseases: Elevated levels may indicate a lower risk or absence of certain inflammatory conditions: Crohn's disease, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Ulcerative colitis.

Potential cancer protection: In animal studies, higher levels of E. rectale were associated with reduced incidence of lymphoma in susceptible mice .

Improved gut-brain axis: Higher levels may contribute to better gut-brain communication and potentially reduced neuroinflammation .

Normal gut function: Elevated levels generally indicate a well-functioning gut microbiome and healthy digestive processes.

It's important to note that while elevated levels of E. rectale are generally considered beneficial, maintaining a diverse and balanced gut microbiome is key to overall health. Extremely high levels of any single bacterial species could potentially indicate an imbalance. Always consult with a healthcare professional for interpretation of microbiome test results in the context of your overall health.

Eubacterium rectale was found to be in lower abundance in patients with type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and chronic idiopathic diarrhea. There is a negative correlation between Eubacterium rectale levels and the symptomatology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Decreased levels of Eubacterium spp. have been associated with very high protein diets.

Eubacterium rectale is part of the Lachnospiraceae family and produces butyrate. Eubacterium rectale was found to be in lower abundance in patients with type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and chronic idiopathic diarrhea. There is a negative correlation between Eubacterium rectale levels and the symptomatology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Decreased levels of Eubacterium spp. have been associated with very high protein diets.

Eubacterium is a genus of gram-positive bacteria. They are one of the most abundant species in healthy colons and use lactate and acetate to produce butyrate, and 1,2 propanediol to produce propionate. Depletion of Eubacterium rectale has been associated with high fat diets, colorectal cancer and ulcerative colitis. Species belonging to this genus are also involved in the metabolism of polyphenols - health-promoting metabolites, which can reduce incidence of carcinogenesis. Eubacterium rely on sources of resistant starches for survival.

References:

Engels, C., Ruscheweyh, H.-J., Beerenwinkel, N., Lacroix, C. & Schwab, C. The Common Gut Microbe Eubacterium hallii also Contributes to Intestinal Propionate Formation. Front. Microbiol. 7, 713 (2016).

Flint, H. J., Scott, K. P., Louis, P. & Duncan, S. H. The role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 9, 577–589 (2012).

Wang, T. et al. Structural segregation of gut microbiota between colorectal cancer patients and healthy volunteers.

Vermeiren, J. et al. Decreased colonization of fecal Clostridium coccoides/Eubacterium rectale species from ulcerative colitis patients in an in vitro dynamic gut model with mucin environment. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 79, 685– 696 (2012).

Cardona, F., Andrés-Lacueva, C., Tulipani, S., Tinahones, F. J. & Queipo-Ortuño, M. I. Benefits of polyphenols on gut microbiota and implications in human health. J. Nutr. Biochem. 24, 1415–1422 (2013).

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