The Gut Microbiome and Diabetes: A Review of Current Understanding and Therapeutic Implications

This review examines the vital role of the gut microbiome in maintaining metabolic balance and its involvement in the development and progression of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (T1D and T2D). It aims to clarify the connections between microbial composition, diversity, and function, and how these factors influence diabetic pathophysiology. An analysis of recent literature was performed, focusing on studies that explore gut microbial changes in diabetic patients, mechanisms of microbiome-related metabolic shifts, and therapeutic strategies. Emphasis was placed on interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and dietary changes. The results show that dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbial communities, is common in both T1D and T2D. Dysbiosis promotes disease development by encouraging inflammation, weakening gut barrier function, and causing insulin resistance. Several microbiome-modulating therapies have shown potential in enhancing blood sugar control and metabolic health. However, individual responses vary greatly due to personal microbial and genetic differences. The gut microbiome plays a key role in the development and treatment of diabetes. While microbiome-based therapies are promising, their clinical use remains difficult. Future efforts should focus on personalized approaches that take into account individual microbiome profiles to improve therapeutic success.