27^th European Nutrition and Dietetics Conference

Biography

Biography: Marcello Menapace

Abstract

The earthshattering concept of the holobiont has sent ripples into the well-established disciplines of ecology and biology and is now promising to change forever the landscape of medicine too. The once appraised thought of sterility of the organs and internal tissues is now laid hopelessly in waste and in its stead stands the revishing idea of a molteplicity of species fighting for dominion in whatsoever niche within our body. The thousands of articles and experiments completed over the last twenty years are a testimony to the dreadful idea of contamination of our organism which is deemed a house full of uncountable species of bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses. These microorganisms compete for the limited food that we provide and follow a pattern dictated by our biochemistry: the blood typology of our body. These minute chemical compounds that star each cell (proteins and lipids, alike) have the power to recognize and be identified by the microflora circulating and surrounding the cells and tissues and thence secretly decide which types of germs prosper and which wane. Since these microscopic beings have a vast array of biochemical engines (enzymes), the different species would force the holobiont to display distinct biological features depending on the blood group of the individual. Finally, the picture of the holobiont is complete only once we consider the proper diet for these different biotypes as a food for the diverse microorganisms rather than for the human beings: the right food materials will allow the right microflora to thrive.