Skip to main content

Advanced Search

Projected result for your current search:: 0

Search Operators:

You can use operators in your search query to narrow down your results even more. Click on the search operator to see an explanation of how it works.
Finds documents with exactly this word group, in exactly this word order and spelling (e.g. "employer branding").
Finds documents with both search terms (e.g. sales AND bonus).
Finds documents with one or the other search term (e.g. porsche OR volkswagen).
Finds documents with all search terms. Blank space is understood as AND (e.g. man robot production).
Finds documents with no appearance of the word behind NOT (e.g. ford NOT "harrison ford").
Finds documents where the search term is mentioned at least "n" times."n" may be any number (e.g. COUNT(gear)>8).
Finds documents with both search terms in any word order, permitting "n" words as a maximum distance between them. Best choose between 15 and 30 (e.g. NEAR(recruit, professionals, 20)).
Finds documents with the search term in word versions or composites. The asterisk * marks whether you wish them BEFORE, BEHIND, or BEFORE and BEHIND the search term (e.g. lightweight*, *lightweight, *lightweight*).
Finds documents with the search term in different spellings. "?" allows only one character (e.g. organi?ation).
Special characters are understood as AND (e.g. Miller Bros. & Sons).
 Log in
Top
Current Nutrition Reports

Production of Toxins by the Gut Microbiota: The Role of Dietary Protein

Published in:
Authors
Livia Alvarenga
Julie A. Kemp
Beatriz G. Baptista
Marcia Ribeiro
Ligia Soares Lima
Denise Mafra
Published in
Current Nutrition Reports | Issue 2/2024

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This narrative review will discuss how the intake of specific protein sources (animal and vegetable) providing specific amino acids can modulate the gut microbiota composition and generate toxins. A better understanding of these interactions could lead to more appropriate dietary recommendations to improve gut health and mitigate the risk of complications promoted by the toxic metabolites formed by the gut microbiota.

Recent Findings

Gut microbiota is vital in maintaining human health by influencing immune function and key metabolic pathways. Under unfavorable conditions, the gut microbiota can produce excess toxins, which contribute to inflammation and the breakdown of the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Genetic and environmental factors influence gut microbiota diversity, with diet playing a crucial role. Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiota significantly metabolizes amino acids from dietary proteins, producing various metabolites with beneficial and harmful effects.

Summary

Amino acids such as choline, betaine, l-carnitine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan can increase the production of uremic toxins when metabolized by intestinal bacteria. The type of food source that provides these amino acids affects the production of toxins. Plant-based diets and dietary fiber are associated with lower toxin formation than animal-based diets due to the high amino acid precursors in animal proteins.
Title
Production of Toxins by the Gut Microbiota: The Role of Dietary Protein
Authors
Livia Alvarenga
Julie A. Kemp
Beatriz G. Baptista
Marcia Ribeiro
Ligia Soares Lima
Denise Mafra
Publication date
08-04-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Nutrition Reports / Issue 2/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2161-3311
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-024-00535-x
This content is only visible if you are logged in and have the appropriate permissions.

Other articles of this Issue 2/2024

Review of Diet Quality Indices that can be Applied to the Environmental Assessment of Foods and Diets

  • Open Access
  • REVIEW

An Updated View of the Effect of Probiotic Supplement on Sports Performance: A Detailed Review

Risk of Bone Fracture on Vegetarian and Vegan Diets

  • REVIEW

Effect of Social Media on Diet, Lifestyle, and Performance of Athletes: A Review of Current Evidence

Dietary Modification Combined with Nutrition Education and Counseling for Metabolic Comorbidities in Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for Clinical Practice and Research

Is Propolis a Potential Anti-Obesogenic Agent for Obesity?

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on progress in colorectal cancer

  • Live
  • Webinar | 11-12-2025 | 18:00 (CET)

CRC remains a major global health burden, but advances in screening, treatment, and lifestyle-based prevention continue to reshape clinical practice. Gain insights into how the latest research can be leveraged to optimize patient care across the CRC continuum.

Watch it live: Thursday 11 December 2025, 18:00-19:30 (CET)

Prof. Antoni Castells
Prof. Edward Giovannucci
Prof. Harpreet Wasan
Join the webinar
Webinar

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on functional neurological disorder

FND perplexes and frustrates patients and physicians alike. Limited knowledge and insufficient awareness delays diagnosis and treatment, and many patients feel misunderstood and stigmatized. How can you recognize FND and what are the treatment options?

Prof. Mark Edwards
Watch now
Video
Image Credits
Colon cancer illustration/© (M) KATERYNA KON / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images, Human brain illustration/© (M) CHRISTOPH BURGSTEDT / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images