Investigator Studies Diet, Sleep, Cognition, and Gut Microbiome in Hispanic/Latino Communities

Conversation with Dr. Sabrina Sales Martinez, Florida International University

Dr. Sabrina Sales Martinez is an associate professor at Florida International University (FIU) in the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition. As a registered dietitian and nutritionist, her research focuses on the microbiota-gut-brain axis in racial and ethnic minority communities in South Florida. She’s also an investigator with the FIU-Research Center for Minority Institutions (RCMI) and a multiple-PI for an NIMHD-funded R01 equivalent grant examining gut health, cognition, and stress in Hispanic/Latino populations experiencing health disparities.

Dr. Martinez was a past participant (Cohort 9) of the Program to Increase Diversity in Cardiovascular Health-Related Research (PRIDE-CVD) through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at SUNY Downstate Health Science University. Dr. Martinez contributed to systematic reviews of literature used to establish the World Health Organization’s (WHO) infant feeding guidelines for global areas experiencing emerging infectious diseases. She participated in FIU’s Embrace program since 2018, a three-year, inclusive, post-secondary education program for students with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. She created the FIU Embrace Health Through Cooking seminars that encourage FIU Embrace students to adopt healthy lifestyles by providing them with educational and experiential opportunities to learn basic nutrition, food safety, food selection, and food preparation skills for independent living.

Dr. Martinez earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in dietetics and nutrition from Florida International University and is an active American Society for Nutrition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics member.

Q&A with Dr. Sabrina Sales Martinez

What is your project’s goal, purpose, and aim?
Our collaborative NIMHD-funded study examines the impact of sleep behaviors on cognition while accounting for dietary intake and gut microbiome composition in a midlife Hispanic/Latino community-based sample. The gut microbiome is the ecosystem of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in our digestive tracts and interact with many of our body systems (e.g., digestive, immune, nervous, endocrine). It’s also key to understanding and treating a wide range of diseases and disorders. We want to find out what socio-cultural factors, like culture, values, traditions, acculturation, etc., impact this population’s diet, sleep, cognition, and gut microbes.

Examining the microbiota-gut-brain axis is essential in community-based samples to identify modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and inform novel interventions. Our study will be among the first to explore the interrelations of gut microbiome diversity, microbial profiles, stress, sleep, and cognition to understand the changing effects of the gut microbiome and sleep on cognition over time in a medically underrepresented group.

In the long-term, this work will help us develop and assess evidence-based and culturally appropriate interventions to promote a healthy gut microbiome and reduce chronic diseases across the lifespan.

How is your work advancing research on the health of populations that experience health disparities? Are you seeing specific changes in particular communities or groups?
Hispanic/Latino populations are disproportionately affected by health disparities related to nutrition and sleep and are 1.5 times more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. We’re seeing higher rates of obesity and other nutrition-related chronic diseases in this population, including in South Florida where I live.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality among the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States. Much of the prevalence research on cardiometabolic risk factors (diet, blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, physical activity, etc.) and risk for cardiovascular disease has focused on other racial and ethnic groups, contributing to a lack of comprehensive data in Hispanic/Latino communities.

As an example, many of the studies examining cardiometabolic risk factors conducted in Hispanic/Latino populations are not inclusive of the diverse Hispanic/Latino heritages, like people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American, Dominican, and Latin American or Spanish origin. Data from more inclusive studies may lead to future research examining therapeutic strategies for modifiable risk factors, such as sleep, stress, and diet to correct imbalances in intestinal microbiomes and delay progression to Alzheimer’s disease, which can reduce health disparities.

What has surprised you about the discoveries from your work and your experiences engaging with communities?
Some of my work is with Hispanic/Latino emerging adults, individuals at a stage of life when lifestyle factors are being shaped. Many of these individuals are already either experiencing chronic diseases or have risk factors. Working with this group has also made me more aware of how environment shapes these risks and how important it is to measure all levels of influence when examining health disparities.

One of my collaborative projects with a community clinic serving Hispanic/Latino populations showed us patients have many long-term chronic health conditions and high rates of cardiometabolic factors. There’s a need to examine modifiable risk factors in younger populations to increase prevention and awareness. Investigating specific health behaviors may provide a better understanding of the complex patterns and interactions between biological and environmental factors.

What inspired you to become a researcher in minority health and health disparities?
My early love of food and science sparked my initial interest in a career in nutrition. Both my parents worked in restaurants, so I often spent time there after school and was always involved in food preparation at home. Science was my favorite subject throughout my early school years, and I took additional science-related courses whenever possible.

In college, learning the research process made me realize I wanted a career focused on research. I was captivated by the ability to ask questions and design studies that not only answered those questions but also uncovered new ones.

I’d never envisioned the career that I now have, but one of my mentors did! This mentor introduced me to the field of health disparities. Learning about the study of differences in health outcomes and social determinants between different population groups intrigued me. I’d seen the impact of health disparities within my own family and wanted to gain a better understanding of their underlying causes.

My introduction and involvement with the FIU-RCMI were pivotal in providing a pathway to becoming a researcher in health disparities.

How do we encourage the next generation to advance community-engaged research?
Encouraging the next generation of researchers is essential in advancing equitable and impactful research that addresses the needs of specific communities. We need to cultivate a culture of collaboration and inclusivity.

Early exposure to community-engaged research and opportunities to get involved is key. When I was young, I didn’t even know these types of careers existed. Fortunately, I was able to benefit from programs aimed at supporting early career investigators in this field. This exposure should begin during the formative years of education. Investments in training early career investigators, particularly those from underrepresented groups, are essential for closing gaps in health outcomes and developing real-world solutions for communities facing health disparities.

What do you envision as the future of minority health and health disparities research?
I envision greater collaboration between members of the communities facing health disparities and those working to provide solutions. Collaborations will require greater investments from all stakeholders and a diverse workforce who can effectively disseminate education and provide effective interventions.

In our current studies, we’re leveraging digital platforms. Future studies could continue to leverage digital platforms for more accurate data collection while further expanding the use of these resources to deliver effective interventions. Technology innovation to improve public health and reduce health disparities will need to be cost-effective, readily available, and inclusive.

Page published Sept. 27, 2024