The effect of vitamins and micronutrients on the intestinal microbiota in norm and pathology

It is known that the intestinal microbiome plays an important role in many biological processes of the human body. However, all factors and mechanisms influencing changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiome are not fully understood. As the results of previous studies show, long-term food preferences play a significant role in modulating the composition of the intestinal microbiota. At the same time, all the mechanisms fully reflecting the peculiarities of the relationship of vitamins, trace elements, and the composition of the intestinal microbiota are not adequately characterized. Vitamins and trace elements have a bidirectional effect on the intestinal microbiota. On the one hand, they influence the composition of the microbiota, its representation, number, and diversity. On the other hand, the microbiota is involved in the metabolism of trace elements, including the synthesis of certain vitamins. In this review, we have tried to summarize the currently known information reflecting the relationship between the main microelements and the bacterial community of the gut. The review showed that some vitamins, with additional use, entering the colon modulate its microbiome, increase and maintain the bacterial diversity of the gut microbiota, which affects the amount of synthesized short-chain fatty acids. Several vitamins, such as vitamins A and D, can also affect intestinal immunity and its barrier functions.