Probiotics and the Gut Microbiota in Intestinal Health and Disease

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2010 Jul 29

PMID 20664519

Citations 340

Authors

Melanie G Gareau

Philip M Sherman

W Allan Walker

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The use of probiotics is increasing in popularity for both the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases. While a growing number of well-conducted, prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical trials are emerging and investigations of underlying mechanisms of action are being undertaken, questions remain with respect to the specific immune and physiological effects of probiotics in health and disease. This Review considers recent advances in clinical trials of probiotics for intestinal disorders in both adult and pediatric populations. An overview of recent in vitro and in vivo research related to potential mechanisms of action of various probiotic formulations is also considered.

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