Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Postbiotics: Human Microbiome and Human Health

Description:

This book explains the potential value of microbiome and microbiome composition associated with human health and diseases. The opening chapters describe the current state of knowledge regarding the human microbiome structure, function, and diversity. The mechanisms of action and the various putative uses of human microbiome are then examined specific to healthy and disease conditions. Readers will find detailed information on its manipulation of human microbiome studies as well as its applied and translational aspects in the current field. The latest knowledge on probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics is presented, and specific cases to date are discussed. This book features knowledge from leading researchers working on different aspects of the human microbiome and its manipulation for better health. Overall, this book is an excellent source for microbiome researchers and students from all levels seeking the most up-to-date advancements in the field and also to point toward the future directions.

Preface

With a lot of data being generated on the Human Microbiome, quite many correlations are being uncovered between the microbiome composition and human health/ diseases. Almost every aspect of human health and behavior, e.g., obesity, functioning of the immune system and nervous system, susceptibility to various infections, and mood fluctuations, seems to be correlated with the microbiome composition. Although the microbiomes of the skin, oral cavity, nasal cavity, and vagina have their own importance, much research has focused on the microbiome of the intestine since the gut harbors the greatest number of resident microorganisms within the human body. As we are developing more and more understanding of the human microbiome and its role in the regulation of the human system, more interest is being generated in finding ways of manipulating this microbiome toward the “healthier” direction. This manipulation of the human microbiome seems to be possible through the use of the following:

• Probiotics: Live microbial strains which, upon ingestion, are expected to confer some health benefit.

• Prebiotics: Selectively fermented ingredients causing specific changes in the composition and/or activity of the gut microbiota, thereby offering beneficial health effects to the host.

• Synbiotics: A mix of probiotics and prebiotics that can confer some beneficial effect on the host by improving the survival and activity of beneficial microorganisms in the intestine.

• Postbiotics: Metabolic products of the fermentation by probiotics in the intestine.

There is a hope that if we can gain sufficient knowledge of the human microbiome composition and of the ways of manipulating it, this can enable us to manage many of the complex metabolic disorders by careful designing of the diet, i.e., simple dietary adjustments can be a major part of disease/health management strategy.

In the above-mentioned context, this contributory volume features manuscripts from researchers working on a different aspect of the Human Microbiome and its manipulation for better health. In this collection, we have tried to showcase the current status of research in the field and also to point toward future directions, not only from an academic but also from an industrial and regulatory perspective.

The editors thank all the contributing authors and acknowledge support from the publisher.

Wish you all a happy reading!

May we all enjoy a healthy microbiome throughout life!