Document Detail


Dietary modulation of the human gut microflora using the prebiotics oligofructose and inulin.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10395616     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Although largely unproven in humans, better resistance to pathogens, reduction in blood lipids, antitumor properties, hormonal regulation and immune stimulation may all be possible through gut microflora manipulation. One approach advocates the oral intake of live microorganisms (probiotics). Although the probiotic approach has been extensively used and advocated, survivability/viability after ingestion is difficult to guarantee and almost impossible to prove. The prebiotic concept dictates that non viable dietary components fortify certain components of the intestinal flora (e.g., bifidobacteria, lactobacilli). This concept has the advantage that survival of the ingested ingredient through the upper gastrointestinal tract is not a prerequisite because it is indigenous bacterial genera that are targeted. The feeding of oligofructose and inulin to human volunteers alters the gut flora composition in favor of bifidobacteria, a purportedly beneficial genus. Future human studies that exploit the use of modern molecular-based detection methods for bacteria will determine the efficacy of prebiotics. It may be possible to address prophylactically certain gastrointestinal complaints through the selective targeting of gut bacteria.
Authors:
G R Gibson
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of nutrition     Volume:  129     ISSN:  0022-3166     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Nutr.     Publication Date:  1999 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1999-08-12     Completed Date:  1999-08-12     Revised Date:  2006-04-13    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0404243     Medline TA:  J Nutr     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1438S-41S     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Food Science and Technology, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, UK.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Bifidobacterium / drug effects*,  metabolism
Dietary Carbohydrates / metabolism*
Fermentation / drug effects
Humans
Intestines / drug effects,  metabolism,  microbiology*
Inulin / pharmacology*
Lactobacillus / drug effects*,  metabolism
Oligosaccharides / pharmacology*
Probiotics
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Dietary Carbohydrates; 0/Oligosaccharides; 0/oligofructose; 9005-80-5/Inulin

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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