Research

Hormonal

Gut microbiota composition directly influences systemic inflammation through the production of specific metabolites: Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) like butyrate inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways (e.g., NFκB), while Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) promote inflammatory cascades and insulin resistance.

Focus on dietary fiber to feed beneficial gut bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate). Reduce intake of high-fat, low-fiber 'Western' diets which may promote pro-inflammatory bacteria and LPS release. Probiotic therapies targeting specific strains (e.g., Faecalibacterium) show promise for reducing inflammation, but individual responses vary.

ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
SCFAs may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects... components of the bacteria themselves, including lipopolysaccharides... may also be released and result in secondary effects to the host... launching an inflammatory response... TMAO has been linked with deleterious effects including endothelial dysfunction, which in turn promotes vascular inflammation
Zahraa Al Bander et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2020

Why this rating

The paper is a review summarizing multiple animal and human studies, noting inconsistencies in human data (e.g., acetate effects).

Source

The Gut Microbiota and Inflammation: An Overview

Zahraa Al Bander et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2020

DOI 10.3390/ijerph17207618

narrative_reviewCited 722×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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