19 January 2024 | Katarzyna Ferenc, Aneta Sokal-Dembowska, Kacper Helma, Elżbieta Motyka, Sara Jarmakiewicz-Czaja, Rafał Filip
The article explores the complex relationships between diet, gut microbiota, and epigenetic regulation. It highlights how nutrients, particularly vitamins and minerals, can influence the gut microbiota through epigenetic mechanisms, potentially affecting systemic health. The gut microbiota, a community of microorganisms in the intestines, plays a crucial role in various physiological and pathophysiological processes, including immune modulation, nutrient metabolism, and intestinal protective functions. Epigenetics, which involves heritable changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, is discussed as a key mechanism that can be influenced by the gut microbiota and nutrients.
The article reviews the impact of specific nutrients on the gut microbiota and epigenetic regulation. Vitamin D, for example, is shown to influence the vitamin D receptor (VDR) axis, which is critical for maintaining health and modulating inflammatory responses. Iron, an essential trace element, affects the gut microbiome and can lead to changes in epigenetic signatures. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by the fermentation of dietary fiber, have anti-inflammatory properties and can inhibit histone deacetylases (HDACs), affecting gene expression. Magnesium, a mineral essential for various physiological functions, interacts with the gut microbiota and can influence the production of SCFAs. Zinc, another essential micronutrient, is crucial for the function of many enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation and can affect the gut microbiota and its interactions with the host.
The review emphasizes the bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiota and epigenetic regulation, suggesting that maintaining an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals may have beneficial effects on reducing inflammation, improving intestinal barrier function, and enhancing overall health. Further research is needed to fully understand these interactions and to explore potential therapeutic interventions based on dietary modifications.The article explores the complex relationships between diet, gut microbiota, and epigenetic regulation. It highlights how nutrients, particularly vitamins and minerals, can influence the gut microbiota through epigenetic mechanisms, potentially affecting systemic health. The gut microbiota, a community of microorganisms in the intestines, plays a crucial role in various physiological and pathophysiological processes, including immune modulation, nutrient metabolism, and intestinal protective functions. Epigenetics, which involves heritable changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, is discussed as a key mechanism that can be influenced by the gut microbiota and nutrients.
The article reviews the impact of specific nutrients on the gut microbiota and epigenetic regulation. Vitamin D, for example, is shown to influence the vitamin D receptor (VDR) axis, which is critical for maintaining health and modulating inflammatory responses. Iron, an essential trace element, affects the gut microbiome and can lead to changes in epigenetic signatures. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by the fermentation of dietary fiber, have anti-inflammatory properties and can inhibit histone deacetylases (HDACs), affecting gene expression. Magnesium, a mineral essential for various physiological functions, interacts with the gut microbiota and can influence the production of SCFAs. Zinc, another essential micronutrient, is crucial for the function of many enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation and can affect the gut microbiota and its interactions with the host.
The review emphasizes the bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiota and epigenetic regulation, suggesting that maintaining an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals may have beneficial effects on reducing inflammation, improving intestinal barrier function, and enhancing overall health. Further research is needed to fully understand these interactions and to explore potential therapeutic interventions based on dietary modifications.