In this blog post I’ll share with you what I have learned about Gut Dysbiosis and Vitamin A.
Here we go!
What is the microbiome?
When you’ve been around my blog for a while, you’ll know what the microbiome is. When this is your first time here, the following will help you.
The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that live in the digestive tract. These microorganisms play an important role in many aspects of health, including digestion, immunity, and metabolism.
What is Gut Dysbiosis?
Gut dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the microbial communities that reside in the gut. These communities, collectively known as the gut microbiota, play an important role in the absorption and utilisation of nutrients. Dysbiosis can disrupt this process, leading to decreased absorption and utilisation of vitamins and potentially leading to deficiencies. Gut dysbiosis is a condition that occurs when the balance of these microorganisms is disrupted. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, stress, and medication use.
Gut dysbiosis has been linked to a number of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It has also been linked to low levels of vitamin A. The gut microbiota plays an important role in the absorption of vitamin A. Studies have shown that people with gut dysbiosis have lower levels of vitamin A in their blood. The question is which is first, the gut dysbiosis or the low levels of vitamin A?
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient for the human body. It plays a critical role in maintaining healthy vision, growth, immune system function, skin health, and reproductive health. The body can obtain vitamin A from dietary sources, such as animal products, or by converting carotenoids from plant foods into vitamin A. However, the body’s ability to convert, absorb, and use vitamin A can be impacted by gut dysbiosis..
Research has shown that certain gut bacteria can impact vitamin A levels in the body. One study found that germ-free mice with altered gut microbiota had reduced levels of retinol, the active form of vitamin A, in their livers. Another study found that mice treated with antibiotics, which can disrupt gut microbiota, had lower levels of vitamin A in their blood.
The mechanisms by which gut dysbiosis affects vitamin A levels are not yet fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the gut microbiota’s ability to produce bile acids. Bile acids are produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder, where they are released into the small intestine to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats, including vitamin A. The gut microbiota plays a role in bile acid metabolism, and dysbiosis can disrupt this process, leading to decreased absorption of vitamin A.
Furthermore, gut dysbiosis can lead to inflammation in the gut, which can also impact vitamin A levels. Inflammation can impair the conversion, absorption, and use of nutrients, including vitamin A, leading to deficiencies.
A vitamin A deficiency can have serious consequences for health. In addition to the functions mentioned earlier, vitamin A is essential for the development of epithelial tissues, such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. A deficiency can lead to increased susceptibility to infections and impaired immune function.
Improve your Gut Health
There are a number of ways to improve gut health and reduce the risk of gut dysbiosis. These include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, improving sleeping habits, and managing stress.
Fermented foods and probiotic supplements are very helpful to improve your digestive health
Some of the fermented foods are yoghurt, kombucha, and sauerkraut. There are many more fermented foods in many areas, most food cultures have their own specialities of fermented foods.
Foods to avoid are processed foods and sugary foods as they are low in nutrients and feed the wrong type of microbes in your gut.
Conclusion
But dysbiosis can have a significant impact on bodily nutrient levels. Disruptions in the gut microbiota can impair the absorption and use of vitamin A, potentially leading to deficiencies. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiota through a balanced diet and probiotics can help ensure optimal nutrient levels and support overall health.
Further reading
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6319961/
https://microbiomepost.com/how-vitamin-a-and-gut-microbiota-regulate-the-intestinal-immune-system/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5866754/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3144392/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6553882/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34790112/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6629036/