Role of Zinc in Shaping the Gut Microbiome; Proposed Mechanisms and Evidence from the Literature

Abstract

Zinc is an important constituent of diet that regulates gut epithelial wall and modify gut microbiome in humans as well as animals. Zinc deficiency may affect 39% children in Pakistan, according to the recent National Nutritional Survey 2011. Although zinc has been used in the prevention and treatment of diarrhea, the relationship of plasma zinc status with potentially pathogenic bacteria has not been studied. In this review, we have discussed evidence suggesting the impact of zinc on gut microbiota and its interaction with gut epithelium. Furthermore, animal and human studies suggesting the role of zinc in modifying gut microbiota have been presented.