Fragwürdige Produkte unserer Darm-Mikrobiota

Numerous members of our physiological gut microbiota support our health by enhancing food digestion, regulating barrier function, and inducing immunity. However, methanoarchaea, which are also common inhabitants of our gut, transform trace elements, introduced into our gut via food and pharmaceuticals, into toxic methylmetal(loid) derivatives. Here, we give an overview of our knowledge of metal(loid) methylation by methanoarchaea and how this phenomenon may compromise our health.