The effect of dietary zinc and zinc physiological status on the composition of the gut microbiome in vivo

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#gastrointestinal-microbiome #zinc #animals #humans #diet

The effect of dietary zinc and zinc physiological status on the composition of the gut microbiome in vivo

Cheng et al., 2024 | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Systematic Review

Citation

Cheng Jacquelyn, Kolba Nikolai, Tako Elad. The effect of dietary zinc and zinc physiological status on the composition of the gut microbiome in vivo. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2024-Jun;64(18):6432-6451. doi:10.1080/10408398.2023.2169857

Abstract

Zinc serves critical catalytic, regulatory, and structural roles. Hosts and their resident gut microbiota both require zinc, leading to competition, where a balance must be maintained. This systematic review examined evidence on dietary zinc and physiological status (zinc deficiency or high zinc/zinc overload) effects on gut microbiota. This review was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021250566). PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for in vivo (animal) studies, resulting in eight selected studies. Study quality limitations were evaluated using the SYRCLE risk of bias tool and according to ARRIVE guidelines. The results demonstrated that zinc deficiency led to inconsistent changes in α-diversity and short-chain fatty acid production but led to alterations in bacterial taxa with functions in carbohydrate metabolism, glycan metabolism, and intestinal mucin degradation. High dietary zinc/zinc overload generally resulted in either unchanged or decreased α-diversity, decreased short-chain fatty acid production, and increased bacterial metal resistance and antibiotic resistance genes. Additional studies in human and animal models are needed to further understand zinc physiological status effects on the intestinal microbiome and clarify the applicability of utilizing the gut microbiome as a potential zinc status biomarker.

Key Findings

Additional studies in human and animal models are needed to further understand zinc physiological status effects on the intestinal microbiome and clarify the applicability of utilizing the gut microbiome as a potential zinc status biomarker.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Zinc
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Diet
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile
  • Bacteria
  • Nutritional Status

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09