Caister Academic Press

Pro- and Prebiotics: The Role of Gut Microbiota in Obesity

Marc R. Bomhof and Raylene A. Reimer
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: 363-380.

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactorial disease that is widespread and continuing to increase in prevalence worldwide. The composition of the gut microbiota is altered in obesity and is associated with impaired gut barrier, enhanced proinflammatory response and metabolic disturbances. Manipulation of the gut microbiota as a therapeutic intervention in obesity and other chronic diseases is of major interest. Diet plays a major role in shaping the composition of the gut microbiota and prebiotics and probiotics have received much attention in this regard. This chapter examines the evidence for the effect of prebiotics and probiotics on obesity with special attention given to body weight and adiposity, appetite regulation, inflammation and gut barrier integrity and glucose and lipid metabolism read more ...
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