The idea that the microbial communities within the GI tract have a profound influence on general human health actually originated with Russian scientist Elie Metchnikov at the turn ofthe last century. Also known as the "fatherofimmunol- ogy", Metchnikovbelievedthat putrefactivebacteriain the gut were responsible for enhancing the aging process. He theorized that ingestion ofhealthy bacteria found in fermented foods could counteract toxic bacteria and was the key to good health. His theories concerning good bacteria and health can be found in his treatise "The ProlongationofLife: Optimistic Studies".Thesewritings promptedJapanesescientist Minoru Shirotatobegin investigationofhow fermentative bacteriaimprove health. He succeededin isolating astrainofLactobacillusthat could survive passage through the intestine, while promoting a healthy balance ofmicrobes. The "Shirota strain" is still used today in the fermented beverage Yakult.It is clear from a commercial standpoint that these ideas have inspired the development of a probiotic industry, which has expanded greatly in the U.S. over the past 5-10 years.

A comprehensive review of all known immune mechanisms for medically important fungal pathogens from the organ perspectives of the human body. This authoritative guide is organized by organ system, as one particular fungus can have several different effects.

The idea that the microbial communities within the GI tract have a profound influence on general human health actually originated with Russian scientist Elie Metchnikov at the turn of the last century. Also known as the "father of immunology," Metchnikov believed that putrefactive bacteria in the gut were responsible for enhancing the aging process. He theorized that ingestion of healthy bacteria found in fermented foods could counteract toxic bacteria and was the key to good health. His theories concerning good bacteria and health can be found in his treatise "The Prolongation of Life: Optimistic Studies." These writings prompted Japanese scientist Minoru Shirota to begin investigation of how fermentative bacteria improve health. He succeeded in isolating a strain of Lactobacillus that could survive passage through the intestine, while promoting a healthy balance of microbes. The "Shirota strain" is still used today in the fermented beverage Yakult. It is clear from a commercial standpoint that these ideas have inspired the development of a probiotic industry, which has expanded greatly in the U.S. over the past 5-10 years. Likewise, scientific studies investigating the microbiota and the immune system have increased significantly in recent years. This increase in research is also due to advances in technologies that enable the investigation of large microbial communities, a resurgence in gnotobiotic animal research, and improved methods for molecular analysis of probiotic bacterial species. Our interest in this area stems from our laboratory observations indicating that antibiotics and fungi can skew microbiota composition and systemic immune responses. Our initial base of references upon which to develop further hypotheses concerning the mechanisms involved in microbiota regulation of immune responses was limited. However, in presenting the research at national scientific meetings and at universities across the country, the feedb

If the thought of bacteria conjures images of germs that should be avoided at all costs--and certainly not ingested--think again! Some friendly bacteria, called probiotics, are not only beneficial to your health, they're essential. Now an internationally recognized scientist at a top U.S. medical school--one of the leading researchers in the field--sheds light on the extraordinary benefits of these natural health superstars.
Thanks to an explosion of research in recent years, one thing is clear: probiotics, the healthy bacteria that inhabit the digestive tract, are the body's silent partners for good health, optimizing the power of the immune system to fight disease and the "bad" germs we fear. But how do they work? And in the face of factors like stress and poor diet, which decrease their numbers, how do you keep your supply well stocked?
Here is an up-to-the-minute, highly accessible guide to probiotics and the foods and supplements that contain and support them--many of which may be in your diet already. Discover:
The key role of probiotics and prebiotics in restoring healthy balance to our bodies, improving immune system functioning, and curbing inflammation
How to use probiotic foods and supplements to prevent and relieve allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, yeast infections, and the negative side effects of antibiotic use
New evidence that probiotics may help fight asthma, cardiovascular disease, breast and colon cancer, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia--and even obesity
Natural sources of prebiotics, the nutrients that help make the digestive tract more hospitable for probiotic bacteria
The Probiotics Revolution also includes a step-by-step plan for incorporating the many food sources of probiotics and prebiotics into your diet, a complete buyer's guide to probiotic supplements, and how to introduce probiotics to your family and children.

"From the Hardcover edition."

The idea that the microbial communities within the GI tract have a profound influence on general human health actually originated with Russian scientist Elie Metchnikov at the turn of the last century. Also known as the a oefather of immunologya, Metchnikov believed that putrefactive bacteria in the gut were responsible for enhancing the aging process. He theorized that ingestion of healthy bacteria found in fermented foods could counteract toxic bacteria and was the key to good health. His theories concerning good bacteria and health can be found in his treatise a oeThe Prolongation of Life: Optimistic Studiesa . These writings prompted Japanese scientist Minoru Shirota to begin investigation of how fermentative bacteria improve health. He succeeded in isolating a strain of Lactobacillus that could survive passage through the intestine, while promoting a healthy balance of microbes. The a oeShirota straina is still used today in the fermented beverage Yakult. It is clear from a commercial standpoint that these ideas have inspired the development of a probiotic industry, which has expanded greatly in the U.S. over the past 5-10 years. Likewise, scientific studies investigating the microbiota and the immune system have increased significantly in recent years. This increase in research is also due to advances in technologies that enable the investigation of large microbial communities, a resurgence in gnotobiotic animal research, and improved methods for molecular analysis of probiotic bacterial species. Our interest in this area stems from our laboratory observations indicating that antibiotics and fungi can skew microbiota composition and systemic immune responses. Our initial baseof references upon which to develop further hypotheses concerning the mechanisms involved in microbiota regulation of immune responses was limited. However, in presenting the research at national scientific meetings and at universities across the country, the feedback and interest were overwhelming. It became clear that a book dedicated to current trends in investigating the GI microbiota was warranted. Dissection of the relationship between the microbiota and the immune system is currently being approached from a variety of angles that we have sought to incorporate into this book. This book opens with two general reference chapters, which provide an overview of current knowledge of gastrointestinal immunology and the commensal microbiology of the gut. Next are two chapters dedicated to current methodologies used to investigate the microbiota and host: molecular analysis of microbial diversity and gnotobiotic research. Both positive and negative interactions between the microbiota and the immune system can take place in the gut, with chapters dedicated to probiotics and intestinal diseases associated with unhealthy microbiota. Environmental factors play an enormous role in shaping the microbiota composition. Host, microbial, and dietary factors take part in a complex interplay, which provides many distinct and diverse research subjects. We have included a chapter discussing diet, functional foods, and prebiotics, which are dietary supplements used to specifically enhance the growth of beneficial members of the microbiota. Several laboratories are investigating how the different members of the microbiota communicate with each other and with the immune system. A chapter reviewing howbacteria sense and respond to signaling compounds in the gut environment provides insight into the signal transduction pathways that mediate interactions between the host and microbiota. A highly detailed and well-investigated model of bacterial-host symbiosis provides an immense amount of background and insight for the developing field of host-microbiota studies. We have included a chapter reviewing the unique interactions that take place in a non-mammalian system, the Squid-Vibrio model. Finally, we close the book with two chapters outlining current hypotheses concerned with redefining our understanding of the relationship between microbes, disease, and the basic mechanisms of immune system function.