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Cited by 692Gut microbiota and healthMicrobial Metabolites in Food BiotechnologyAnimal Nutrition and Physiology

Relevance of protein fermentation to gut health

Windey, Karen, De Preter, Vicky, Verbeke, Kristin·2012·Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
DOI 10.1002/mnfr.201100542
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Abstract

It is generally accepted that carbohydrate fermentation results in beneficial effects for the host because of the generation of short chain fatty acids, whereas protein fermentation is considered detrimental for the host's health. Protein fermentation mainly occurs in the distal colon, when carbohydrates get depleted and results in the production of potentially toxic metabolites such as ammonia, amines, phenols and sulfides. However, the effectivity of these metabolites has been established mainly in in vitro studies. In addition, some important bowel diseases such as colorectal cancer (CRC) and ulcerative colitis appear most often in the distal colon, which is the primary site of protein fermentation. Finally, epidemiological studies revealed that diets rich in meat are associated with the prevalence of CRC, as is the case in Western society. Importantly, meat intake not only increases fermentation of proteins but also induces increased intake of fat, heme and heterocyclic amines, which may also play a role in the development of CRC. Despite these indications, the relationship between gut health and protein fermentation has not been thoroughly investigated. In this review, the existing evidence about the potential toxicity of protein fermentation from in vitro animal and human studies will be summarized.

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Crossref · 10.1002/mnfr.201100542

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106 of 106 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Animal and in vitro studies show that ammonia, phenols, p-cresol, certain amines and hydrogen sulfide play important roles in the initiation or progression of a leaky gut, inflammation, DNA damage and cancer progression.

    “Studies in animal models and in vitro show that compounds like ammonia, phenols, p-cresol, certain amines and hydrogen sulfide, play important roles in the initiation or progression of a leaky gut, inflammation, DNA damage and cancer progression.15”

    From The gut microbiota and host health: a new clinical frontier (2016) · cites this paper as [15]

  • As protein consumption is increased, the amount of proteins reaching the colon increases correspondingly, leading to numerous and diverse bacterial metabolite production in the gastrointestinal tract.

    “Regarding this, as protein consumption is increased, the amount of proteins reaching the colon is increasing correspondingly, leading to numerous and diverse bacterial metabolite production (e.g., hydrogen sulfide, branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs), SCFAs, polyamines, ammonia, methane, aromatic compounds, nitric oxide, tyramine, tryptamine, phenethylamine, serotonin, histamine, and others) in the”

    From Impact of Protein Intake in Older Adults with Sarcopenia and Obesity: A Gut Microbiota Perspective (2020) · cites this paper as [147]

  • BCAA deamination leading to branched-chain fatty-acid production is a marker of colonic fermentation developed by protein consumption.

    “BCAA deamination leading to BCFA production is a marker of colonic fermentation developed by protein consumption [147].”

    From Impact of Protein Intake in Older Adults with Sarcopenia and Obesity: A Gut Microbiota Perspective (2020) · cites this paper as [147]

  • Fermented foods enriched with Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacteria sp can result in specific changes in gut microbiota activity.

    “Fermented foods enriched with Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacteria sp [129] can result in specific changes in gut microbiota activity, improving stress-induced symptoms such as depression, mood disturbance as well as digestive issues [130].”

    From Exercise-induced stress behavior, gut-microbiota-brain axis and diet: a systematic review for athletes (2016) · cites this paper as [129]

  • High protein diets can affect the microbiota composition and function through amino acid fermentation in the colon that produces undesirable metabolites (e.g. phenol, hydrogen sulfide and amines) and urea and tend to lead to higher fecal pH.

    “While athletes may require a higher protein intake, high protein diets can affect the microbiota composition and function through amino acid fermentation in the colon that produces undesirable metabolites (e.g. phenol, hydrogen sulfide and amines) and urea and tend to lead to higher fecal pH (reviewed by Windey et al [129]).”

    From Exercise-induced stress behavior, gut-microbiota-brain axis and diet: a systematic review for athletes (2016) · cites this paper as [129]

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Authors
Windey, K., De Preter, V., & Verbeke, K.
Affiliations
Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven (BE)
Corresponding author
Verbeke, Kristin
ORCID
Verbeke, Kristin
Venue
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2011-11-25
Volume
56
Issue
1
Pages
184-196
ISSN
  • 1613-4125 (ISSN-L)
  • 1613-4133
DOI
10.1002/mnfr.201100542
OpenAlex
W2101238009
Cited by
692
References
106
Citations by year
2026: 57 · 2025: 56 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 70 · 2022: 60 · 2021: 59 · 2020: 75 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 53 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 6
FWCI
1.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Lirias (KU Leuven) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Nutrition and Physiology
Keywords
protein fermentation, gut health, distal colon, short-chain fatty acids, ammonia, amines, phenols, sulfide, colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, meat consumption, heme, heterocyclic amines, dietary fat, colonic metabolites
MeSH terms
Ammonia, Animals, Colon, Cresols, Diet, Fermentation, Humans, Hydrogen Sulfide, Meat, Phenols, Proteins, Colorectal Neoplasms, Gastrointestinal Tract

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