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Role of the Gut Flora in Human Nutrition and Gut Health

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Gut Microbiome and Its Impact on Health and Diseases

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Abstract

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to an immense number of microbe species that are constantly interacting with each other and with the host’s cells. This ecosystem, composed of bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses, and the host’s cells, has been found to play an important role in maintaining the overall health of the host. Many of these microbes are responsible for producing metabolites that directly benefit the host by supplementing nutrition needs, improving the integrity of certain cellular structure, serving as cell signalers, and acting as an additional countermeasure against pathogens. In this chapter, we go over the important microbial groups that are present in the GI tract and have been known to impact human health. We will go over their functions, their metabolic processes, and the specific health-related outcomes that have been associated with the presence of these groups. Further, we go over some of the factors, conditions, and pressures that influence the diversity and quantity of specific microbial populations.

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Author notes

  1. Zabdiel Alvarado-Martinez, Stephanie Filho, Megan Mihalik, Rachel Rha, and Michelle Snyder have contributed equally with all other contributors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology-Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Zabdiel Alvarado-Martinez

  2. Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Stephanie Filho, Megan Mihalik, Rachel Rha & Michelle Snyder

Authors
  1. Zabdiel Alvarado-Martinez
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  2. Stephanie Filho
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  3. Megan Mihalik
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  4. Rachel Rha
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  5. Michelle Snyder
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zabdiel Alvarado-Martinez .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, USA

    Debabrata Biswas

  2. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, USA

    Shaik O. Rahaman

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Alvarado-Martinez, Z., Filho, S., Mihalik, M., Rha, R., Snyder, M. (2020). Role of the Gut Flora in Human Nutrition and Gut Health. In: Biswas, D., Rahaman, S.O. (eds) Gut Microbiome and Its Impact on Health and Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47384-6_5

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