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An overview on the interplay between nutraceuticals and gut microbiota
Adrian Catinean1, Maria Adriana Neag2, Dana Maria Muntean3
1Department of Internal Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Peerj
|March 27, 2018
Summary
Nutraceuticals, derived from food, offer health benefits by influencing gut microbiota composition. Further research is needed to fully understand their impact on health through microbiota modulation.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Growing interest in alternative disease prevention and treatment methods.
- Nutraceuticals are increasingly used as complementary therapies, bridging nutrition and pharmaceuticals.
- Emerging research highlights the role of microbiota in maintaining health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between common nutraceuticals, gut microbiota, and associated health benefits.
- To explore the hypothesis that nutraceuticals exert health benefits by altering microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of PubMed articles published up to July 2017.
- Inclusion of diverse study types: observational, in vitro, in vivo, clinical, and animal experiments.
- Focus on nutraceuticals, microbiota, and health benefits.
Main Results:
- Evidence indicates that numerous nutraceuticals modify microbiota composition.
- These changes can impact patient health status.
- A link exists between nutraceuticals, microbiota, and health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The review supports the significance of nutraceuticals in human health via microbiota modulation.
- Further studies are required to comprehensively assess nutraceuticals' health benefits stemming from microbiota alterations.
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