Abstract

Nutrition is now considered the major preventable risk factor for most noncommunicable inflammatory diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, some cancers, and type II diabetes. Prevalence rates for these noncommunicable inflammatory diseases have risen globally over the last 50 years due to the Western preference for energy-dense, nutrient-low diets. This book will discuss the current literature on the role of epigenetics and the gut microbiome in human development and inflammatory diseases. In addition, this book will highlight the latest research that links the interplay between the microbiome and epigenome in diet-mediated health and inflammatory diseases. Lastly, this book will discuss how most western countries do not meet current dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption or fiber intake but exceed the consumption of salt, ultra-processed foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages, with an emphasis on dietary strategies to reduce inflammation.