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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

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Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
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Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

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The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
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Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

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Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
1
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

1
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
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Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

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The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
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Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

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The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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Probiotics and microbiota composition.

Mary Ellen Sanders1

  • 1Dairy & Food Culture Technologies, 7119 S. Glencoe Ct., Centennial, CO, 80122, USA. mes@mesanders.com.

BMC Medicine
|June 3, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Probiotics may not alter gut microbiota composition in healthy individuals. However, they might promote gut homeostasis, offering physiological benefits that warrant further investigation into their mechanisms.

Keywords:
Gut microbiotaHomeostasisLactobacillusMetagenomicsProbiotic

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Human Health

Background:

  • Recent systematic reviews indicate probiotics do not significantly alter fecal microbiota composition in healthy individuals.
  • Despite no significant compositional changes, physiological benefits from probiotic consumption in healthy populations are reported.
  • Existing research suggests potential impacts on microbial function, requiring further study.

Discussion:

  • Probiotics may not alter the gut microbiota's composition in healthy subjects.
  • Physiological benefits associated with probiotics in healthy individuals suggest alternative mechanisms of action.
  • A hypothesis proposes probiotics promote gut microbiota homeostasis rather than compositional shifts.

Key Insights:

  • Probiotics do not significantly change the gut microbiota composition of healthy people.
  • Physiological benefits from probiotics in healthy individuals are observed.
  • Probiotics may promote gut homeostasis, a potential mechanism for health benefits.

Outlook:

  • Further investigation into the hypothesis that probiotics promote gut microbiota homeostasis is warranted.
  • Understanding how probiotics influence gut microbial function is crucial.
  • Exploring the mechanisms behind probiotic-induced physiological benefits in healthy individuals is a key research direction.