Gut microbiota & Vitamins

Concerning Gut microbiota & Vitamins, it was traditionally believed that dietary Vitamins (A11) had little effect on gut flora. This was because vitamins are absorbed in the proximal small intestine, which appears to bypass the lower gastrointestinal tract where the majority of gut microbiota are located (1). However, recent human studies have shown that consuming high doses of vitamins may result in incomplete absorption. This allows vitamins to reach the distal gut, where they can directly influence the complex symbiotic relationships within the gut microbiota. These interactions can subsequently affect neuroimmune function (5, 6, 7).

In addition, the gut microbiota has been connected to vitamin production in studies dating back 100 years, demonstrating that gut microbes can supply essential vitamins to rodent hosts (2).

Bifidobacteria produce important Vitamins (A11) that are slowly absorbed in the human body, such as thiamine, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)(brain://XkJ73ZWqxEKdj2ToWV6r1A/Ribo%EF%AC%82avin), vitamin B6, and Vitamin K, folic acid, niacin, and pyridoxine (4).

Bacteria have dependencies on vitamin and vitamin-derived cofactors for metabolism (3).

Affected vitamins

• B vitamins


• Niacin / Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) / Nicotinate


• Vitamin B12


• Vitamin K

References:

(1) Said 2011 Biochem J 437: 357-372
(2) Fridericia et al. 1927 J Hyg (Lond) 27(1): 70-102
(3) Zmora et al. 2019 Nat Rev Gastroenterology & Hepatology 16: 35
(4) Ngo et al. 2019
(5) Berding et al. 2021 Adv Nutr 12: 1239-1285
(6) Steinert et al. 2020 Trends Mol Med 26: 137-140
(7) Steinert et al. 2016 Eur J Clin Nutr 70: 1348-1353

see also:
B vitamins
Brain-Gut-Microbiome-Axis / Gut-Brain Axis & Dietary regulation
Folic Acid / Folate
Gut microbiota & Niacin / Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) / Nicotinate
Gut microbiota & Vitamin A
Gut microbiota & Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Gut microbiota & Vitamin K