What is it about?
This chapter highlights how the gut microbiota—the community of microorganisms in our digestive tract—plays a vital role in maintaining human health. It supports digestion, immunity, and brain function. The chapter also explains how an imbalance in gut microbes (dysbiosis) is linked to diseases like obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and even neurological disorders. Lastly, it discusses promising microbiota-based therapies such as probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
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Why is it important?
Understanding the gut microbiota is essential because it influences nearly every aspect of human health—from digestion and immunity to brain function and disease resistance. This chapter sheds light on the critical balance of gut microbes and how their disruption (dysbiosis) can lead to chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, inflammatory disorders, and neurological conditions. By exploring therapeutic strategies such as probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and FMT, the chapter offers valuable insights into microbiota-based approaches for prevention, treatment, and personalized medicine. It bridges basic science and clinical relevance, making it crucial for researchers, clinicians, and health professionals.
Perspectives
As a researcher deeply engaged in microbiome science, I believe the gut microbiota is not just a passive system—it’s a dynamic partner in human health. Our chapter reflects my commitment to highlighting how these microbial communities influence key physiological processes like immunity, metabolism, and even brain function. Through this work, I aimed to connect scientific evidence with real-world health challenges. I see it as a step forward in bridging the gap between basic microbiome research and therapeutic applications—particularly in addressing diseases driven by microbial imbalance (dysbiosis). I’m especially passionate about the emerging potential of probiotics, postbiotics, and microbiota-targeted therapies in reshaping future healthcare. This chapter is both a contribution to science and a call to look deeper into the microbes that quietly shape our lives every day.
Dr. Abrar Hussain
University of Karachi
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Gut Microbiota: Role in Health and Disease, January 2025, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-86065-2_1.
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