Gut Microbiota Modulation of Mineral Absorption
Summary
The human gut microbiota exerts a critical influence on the absorption and bioavailability of essential minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Through fermentation of dietary fibres and other non‐digestible substrates, resident microbes generate short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and organic acids that lower colonic pH, enhancing mineral solubility and passive uptake. Microbial metabolites also regulate the expression and localisation of intestinal transporters and tight‐junction proteins, while modulating systemic immune and endocrine pathways that impact bone remodelling and mineral homeostasis. Prebiotic and probiotic interventions selectively enrich SCFA‐producing taxa, whereas synbiotic formulations combine both strategies to amplify mineral‐enhancing effects. Conversely, dysbiosis or low microbial diversity may impair mineral bioaccessibility, contributing to deficiencies and adverse skeletal outcomes. Understanding the dynamic cross‐talk between diet, microbial ecology and host genetics has underpinned the development of tailored nutritional approaches to improve mineral status across the lifespan. Such insights hold global significance for preventive strategies against osteoporosis, anaemia and other deficiency disorders, with applications spanning functional foods, targeted supplements and precision microbiome modulation.
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Gut Microbiota Modulation of Mineral Absorption publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in gut microbiota modulation of mineral absorption across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Gut microbiota: The collective community of bacteria, archaea, viruses and fungi residing in the gastrointestinal tract.
Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs): Microbial fermentation products, primarily acetate, propionate and butyrate, that lower intestinal pH and modulate host physiology.
Prebiotic: A non‐digestible substrate that selectively stimulates the growth or activity of beneficial gut microbes.
Probiotic: Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.
Bone mineral density (BMD): A quantitative measure of mineral content in bone tissue, reflecting skeletal strength and fracture risk.
Bioavailability: The proportion of an ingested nutrient that is absorbed and utilised by the body.
Mendelian randomisation: A genetic epidemiology method using inherited variants as proxies to infer causal relationships between exposures and outcomes.
References
- Gut microbiome-targeted therapies and bone health across the lifespan: a scoping review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2024).
- The causal relationship between gut microbiota and bone mineral density: a Mendelian randomization study. Frontiers in Microbiology (2023).
- Combined resistant dextrin and low-dose Mg oxide administration increases short-chain fatty acid and lactic acid production by gut microbiota. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry (2023).
- Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Minerals in Relation to a Healthy Gut Microbiome. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
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