This review explores the gut-skin axis, describing the interaction that occurs between the skin and the gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies show that exposing the skin to ultraviolet B-light can beneficially modulate both the gut microbiome and intestinal health.
Gut
The gut-skin axis: a bi-directional, microbiota-driven relationship with therapeutic potential
Gut Microbes
Related Studies
Gut
Skin Exposure to Narrow Band Ultraviolet (UVB) Light Modulates the Human Intestinal Microbiome
Frontiers in Microbiology
This study shows that treatment with narrowband UVB light therapy leads to changes in the gut microbiome including increases to microbiota diversity, suggesting a novel skin-gut axis for promoting gut health.
Gut
Skin Exposure to Narrow Band Ultraviolet (UVB) Light Modulates the Human Intestinal Microbiome
Frontiers in Microbiology
This study shows that treatment with narrowband UVB light therapy leads to changes in the gut microbiome including increases to microbiota diversity, suggesting a novel skin-gut axis for promoting gut health.
Gut
Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Human Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Nutrition Reviews
This review article looked at 14 RCTs investigating the impact of vitamin D supplementation (dose ranging from 1680-7000 IU/day) on gut microbiota. They found that vitamin D supplementation modulates gut microbiota composition, with significant increase observed in bacterial taxa associated with anti-inflammatory and gut health-promoting properties, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus as well as increase in Bacteroides and Firmicutes ratio. Some trials also reported enhanced microbial diversity (α and β diversity).
Gut
Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Human Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Nutrition Reviews
This review article looked at 14 RCTs investigating the impact of vitamin D supplementation (dose ranging from 1680-7000 IU/day) on gut microbiota. They found that vitamin D supplementation modulates gut microbiota composition, with significant increase observed in bacterial taxa associated with anti-inflammatory and gut health-promoting properties, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus as well as increase in Bacteroides and Firmicutes ratio. Some trials also reported enhanced microbial diversity (α and β diversity).
Gut
Vitamin D regulates microbiome-dependent cancer immunity
Science
This study found that mice with increased availability of vitamin D display greater immune-dependent resistance to cancers. Similarly, in humans, vitamin D induced genes correlate with improved response to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, as well as with immunity to cancer and increased overall survival. In mice, resistance is attributable to the activity of vitamin D on intestinal epithelial cells, which alters microbiome composition in favor of Bacteroides fragilis, which positively regulates cancer immunity. These findings indicate a connection between vitamin D, microbial commensal communities, and immune responses to cancer.
Gut
Vitamin D regulates microbiome-dependent cancer immunity
Science
This study found that mice with increased availability of vitamin D display greater immune-dependent resistance to cancers. Similarly, in humans, vitamin D induced genes correlate with improved response to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, as well as with immunity to cancer and increased overall survival. In mice, resistance is attributable to the activity of vitamin D on intestinal epithelial cells, which alters microbiome composition in favor of Bacteroides fragilis, which positively regulates cancer immunity. These findings indicate a connection between vitamin D, microbial commensal communities, and immune responses to cancer.