Vitamin A Deficiency Promotes Leaky Gut and Alzheimer's (2024)
Your gut microbiome plays a crucial role in your overall health, including brain function. Recent research has uncovered a fascinating connection between vitamin A, gut health and Alzheimer's disease risk. A study using mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms reveals that vitamin A deficiency leads to significant changes in the gut microbiome. (1) These alterations contribute to increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as "leaky gut," and promote inflammation throughout the body. The researchers found that mice fed a vitamin A-deficient diet had lower diversity in their gut bacteria compared to those receiving adequate or supplemental vitamin A. Specifically, vitamin A deficiency led to an increase in proinflammatory bacteria like Parabacteroides and Tannerellaceae, while reducing beneficial anti-inflammatory bacteria such as Akkermansia and Verrucomicrobiales. This shift in microbial balance creates an environment that's more ...