Firmicutes gut bacteria boost metabolism and bone health, study finds

Medical Xpress / BGI Genomics / npj Metabolic Health and Disease ^ | May 27, 2025 | Yufeng Li et al

[ConservativeMind]

A recent study involving 684 adults has uncovered a significant connection between gut microbiota, aging, and bone health, particularly in relation to osteoporosis.

The study emphasized how gut bacteria may influence bone mineral density (BMD).

The study revealed significant associations between microbial pathways related to L-arginine biosynthesis and butyrate production with higher BMD. L-arginine is an amino acid that is essential for nitric oxide (NO) production, which has been shown to inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, ultimately promoting bone health.

These findings suggest that enhancing the production of L-arginine and butyrate through gut bacteria could be an important strategy in maintaining bone density, particularly in aging individuals.

The study suggests that Firmicutes bacteria, including those from the Lachnospiraceae family, can help maintain bone mass. This is achieved through the modulation of the host's metabolic and inflammatory status. The same metabolites that help regulate metabolism, like butyrate, also have a positive impact on bone health by reducing chronic inflammation, a key factor in bone degradation.

Bone health is also deeply influenced by the microbiome. Butyrate, in particular, has been shown to influence osteoclasts (cells responsible for bone resorption) and osteoblasts (cells responsible for bone formation). It helps to modulate the immune system, promoting a healthy balance between bone formation and resorption.

Chronic inflammation, often driven by an imbalance in gut bacteria, has been linked to diseases like osteoporosis, but butyrate can help to counteract this effect by lowering the levels of inflammatory markers in the body.

These findings suggest that promoting the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria or enhancing L-arginine production could be an effective strategy for maintaining bone mass and preventing osteoporosis.

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: bacteria; gitract

[ConservativeMind]

One available Firmicutes bacteria likely available in a supplement is Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii).

You could also eat more soluble fiber, which causes butyrate to be produced by gut bacteria, or supplement a bit of L-arginine, to meet what they were providing with their study.

[ConservativeMind]

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[logi_cal869]

Lesson #1:

Stop killing your gut by participating in the US processed/treated/commercial food/drink system, cease alcohol and reduce/eliminate pharmaceuticals.

Failing to do so and chasing all manner of ‘solutions’ is like the man bailing a leaky boat...malady - i.e., ‘disease’ - follows.

[Blue Highway]

Great analogy. If you want to eat processed GMO foods it's like having Sean Penn on your boat when you're taking on water, and having peace knowing his 16ounce water bottle will save the day.

[tired&retired]

Bacillota (synonym Firmicutes) play an important role in beer, wine, and cider spoilage.

😥

[tired&retired]

Per Wiki:

The Lachnospiraceae are a family of obligately anaerobic, variably spore-forming bacteria in the order Eubacteriales that ferment diverse plant polysaccharides to short-chain fatty acids (butyrate, acetate) and alcohols (ethanol).

These bacteria are among the most abundant taxa in the rumen and the human gut microbiota. Members of this family may protect against colon cancer in humans by producing butyric acid.

Lachnospiraceae have been found to contribute to diabetes in genetically susceptible (ob/ob) germ-free mice.

[tired&retired]

Butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid, can impact histamine levels in the body. Some studies suggest that butyric acid, particularly in the form of sodium butyrate, may help stabilize mast cells and reduce the release of histamine, potentially benefiting individuals with histamine intolerance or mast cell activation syndrome.

However, other research indicates that butyric acid can increase histamine content in certain cell types, like mast cells, suggesting a more nuanced relationship.

Increased Histamine in Specific Cases:

In contrast, certain studies have shown that butyrate can actually increase histamine levels in mast cells and other cell types. This suggests that the relationship between butyrate and histamine is not straightforward and may depend on the specific context and cell type involved.

More research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between butyric acid and histamine and to determine the specific conditions under which butyrate may be beneficial or detrimental in relation to histamine levels.