Gut microbiota functions: metabolism of nutrients and other food components

Gut microbiota functions: metabolism of nutrients and other food components

The diverse microbial community that inhabits the human gut has an extensive metabolic repertoire that is distinct from, but complements the activity of mammalian enzymes in the liver and gut mucosa and includes functions essential for host digestion. As such, the gut microbiota is a key factor in shaping the biochemical profile of the diet and, therefore, its impact on host health and disease....

Gut microbiota, enteroendocrine functions and metabolism.

The gut microbiota affects host metabolism through a number of physiological processes. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbes interact with the host through several pathways involving enteroendocrine cells (e.g. L cells). The activation of specific G protein coupled receptors expressed on L cells (e.g. GPR41, GPR43, GPR119 and TGR5) triggers the secretion of glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1...

Interactions of gut microbiota with functional food components and nutraceuticals.

The human gut is populated by an array of bacterial species, which develop important metabolic and immune functions, with a marked effect on the nutritional and health status of the host. Dietary component also play beneficial roles beyond basic nutrition, leading to the development of the functional food concept and nutraceuticals. Prebiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and phytochemi...

Gut Microbiota and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Psychobiotics and Brain-Gut Microbiota Axis

Fermented foods containing probiotic bacteria have been used for many years to improve the health or treatment of some diseases. Nowadays, the Therapeutic properties of probiotics are becoming more and more obvious to everyone, insofar as in recent years, more attention has been paid to the potential relation between gut microbiota and mental health. Several studies have shown that intestinal m...