Microbiome, Probiotics & Gut Nutrition

Gut Micro biota

Trillions of microbes inhabit the human intestine, forming a complex ecological community that influences normal physiology and susceptibility to disease through its collective metabolic activities and host interactions. Understanding the factors that underlie changes in the composition and function of the gut micro biota will aid in the design of therapies that target it. This goal is formidable. The gut micro biota is immensely diverse, varies between individuals and can fluctuate over time — especially during disease and early development. Viewing the micro biota from an ecological perspective could provide insight into how to promote health by targeting this microbial community in clinical treatments.

The gut metagenome is the aggregate of all the genomes of gut micro biota. The gut micro biota plays a key role in digestion, metabolism and immune function, and has a widespread impact beyond the gastrointestinal tract. Changes in the biodiversity of the gut micro biota are associated with far-reaching consequences on host health and development. Diet, functional foods, and gut micro biota transplantation are areas that have yielded some therapeutic success in modulating the gut micro biota and warrant further investigation of their effects on various disease states.