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Gut Reaction: Environmental Effects on the Human Microbiota Abstract
Click here for a key to the illustration above. Approximately 100 trillion bacteria inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract and participate in numerous biologic functions that are critical to health and survival. Dysbiosis, a disruption in the balance of these diverse microbial populations, has been linked with irritable bowel disease, allergies, asthma, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and autism spectrum disorders. External influences such as antibiotic use, dietary factors, and psychological stress have shown strong correlations with intestinal dysbiosis, although most of the human research in this area is still in its infancy. Preliminary evidence suggests that dysbiosis may be treatable with the use of probiotics and prebiotics, foods and supplements that encourage the growth of particular beneficial bacteria.
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