The potential role of vitamin D supplementation as a gut microbiota modifier in healthy individuals

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent globally and linked to gut dysbiosis and inflammation. This study investigated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the gut microbiota of 80 healthy vitamin D-deficient women using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Supplementation significantly increased gut microbial diversity, specifically increasing the Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio and the abundance of *Akkermansia* and *Bifidobacterium*. Variations in *Bacteroides* and *Prevotella* indicated enterotype shifts. Responders showed more pronounced changes in major phyla abundance than non-responders, with a significant decrease in *Bacteroides acidifaciens* observed in non-responders. The study highlights vitamin D's positive impact on the gut microbiota and suggests a potential link between gut microbiota signature and vitamin D response.

Parul Singh, Arun Rawat, Mariam Alwakeel, Elham Sharif, Souhaila Al Khodor