Understanding the Effect of B Vitamins on Gut Microbiota: A Comprehensive Review

The gut microbiota has important effects on health maintenance, protection against pathogens, modulation of the immune system, and synthesis of vitamins, such as certain B vitamins. Many factors influence the gut microbiome, with diet and micronutrients being of particular interest. B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that are ingested with food and play a role as cofactors in many metabolic processes in the body. B vitamins are thought to play an active role in the health and functionality of the gut microbiota. B vitamins are both sources for the microbiota and are produced by the gut microbiota. Adequate levels of these vitamins maintain intestinal microbial balance, inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and support intestinal barrier function. Insufficient or excessive intake of B vitamins leads to changes in the gut microbiota. In addition, changes in the gut microbiota in disease states lead to vitamin deficiency. Adequate B vitamin intake and a healthy microbiota are important for maintaining B-vitamin function in the body. Although the mechanisms underlying the interaction between the gut microbiota and B vitamins are not fully understood, possible mechanisms of action are presented in this article. The aim of this review is to examine the effect of B vitamins on the gut microbiota.