The role of micronutrients in gut microbiota and metabolic health

Abstract

Developing healthier food products and dietary habits to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally requires a deeper understanding of how nutrients interact with the gut microbiota. Emerging studies in humans and model organisms suggest that gut microbes play a crucial role in shaping an individual's micronutrient status by influencing their synthesis, bioavailability, and metabolic effects.

Micronutrients can modulate the symbiotic relationship between gut bacteria and the host, impacting endocrine pathways that regulate glucose metabolism. Minerals and trace elements, for example, can alter gut microbiota composition, strengthen intestinal barrier function, mitigate metabolic inflammation, and influence cellular glucose uptake, as well as insulin and thyroid hormone activity. Similarly, dietary vitamins affect microbial populations, while gut bacteria themselves can modify and produce vitamins. These interactions have downstream effects on immunity, lipid and glucose metabolism, and pancreatic beta-cell function.

Despite these insights, the precise mechanisms linking micronutrient deficiencies or excesses to gut microbiota shifts and their subsequent impact on metabolic disease risk remain unclear. Additionally, the causal relationships between vitamins and microbial function require further investigation. This review explores the interplay between micronutrients and gut microbiota, shedding light on their collective role in metabolic health.