Role of Dietary Micronutrients on Gut Microbial Dysbiosis and Modulation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

In patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), dietary micronutrient intake is low and deficiencies are common. Besides the host, also the gut microbiota require micronutrients and low levels may disturb its functioning. Multi-omics studies indeed detected shifts in micronutrient-dependent microbial pathways in IBD. It is however not clear whether micronutrients may alleviate inflammation directly, by modulating the immune system, or also indirectly, by modulating the structure and function of the gut microbiota. The latter seems of particular interest, since the gut microbiota is one of the future therapeutic targets in IBD. A review of the most recent available literature on relevant micronutrients in context of IBD and gut microbiota was conducted. An overview per relevant micronutrient on its role on gut bacterial growth, metabolism and host-microbe interactions during gut inflammation is provided. Dietary micronutrients have potential to be part of future personalized microbiome-targeted therapies in IBD, considering both the micronutrient status of the host and the gut microbiota. However, cohort studies together with integrated multi-scale studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of micronutrient-microbiome-host interactions in IBD and to evaluate efficacy and safety of dietary micronutrient treatment strategies.

Automated summary

In patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), low dietary micronutrient intake and deficiencies are common, which may also affect the functioning of the gut microbiota. There is a need for further research to understand the mechanisms of micronutrient-microbiome-host interactions and their role in alleviating inflammation in IBD.