Immunomodulating Effects of Prebiotics and Fibres
Hanne FrøkiƦr, Stine Broeng Metzdorff and Koen Venema
from: Probiotics and Prebiotics: Current Research and Future Trends (Edited by: Koen Venema and Ana Paula do Carmo). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2015) Pages: 315-330.
Abstract
The beneficial effects of fibres have long been attributed to their bulking effect, reducing the transit time of chyme through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, thereby e.g. reducing the contact of potential toxic compounds with the gastrointestinal epithelium and preventing constipation. Lately however, it has been recognized that fibres may have prebiotics effects by modulating the activity of the gut microbiota, and even direct effects on the immune system. This chapter highlights the effects of fibres on the immune system. Mostly direct interactions with the host are discussed, although effects of microbial fermentation products (the so-called short-chain fatty acids [SCFA]) on the immune system is also briefly mentioned read more ...