Why Gut Microbes Matter: Understanding Our Microbiome

by Harry J. Flint

Overview

Given the at times confusing new information concerning the human microbiome released over the last few years, this book seeks to put the research field into perspective for non-specialists. Addressing a timely topic, it breaks down recent research developments in a way that everyone with a scientific background can understand.

The book discusses why microorganisms are vital to our lives and how our nutrition influences the interaction with our own gut bacteria. In turn, it goes into more detail on how microbial communities are organised and why they are able to survive in the unique environment of our intestines. Readers will also learn about how their personal microbial profile is as unique as their fingerprint, and how it can be affected by a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle.

Thanks to the open and easy-to-follow language used, the book offers an overview for all readers with a basic understanding of biology, and sheds new light on this fascinating and importantpart of our bodies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030432461
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	05/18/2020
Series:	Fascinating Life Sciences
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Harry Flint obtained his BSc and PhD in Genetics from the University of Edinburgh and subsequently held lectureships at the Universities of Nottingham and the West Indies. Following a fellowship in molecular biology at Edinburgh, Harry joined the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen in 1985 with the goal of applying these approaches to the microbiology of the ruminant gut. More recently, his research has focused increasingly on the human intestinal microbiota and their role in health and disease, in particular the impact of dietary fibres on our gut microbial community and its metabolic products. Harry is now an Emeritus Professor at the University of Aberdeen and is the author of more than 250 scientific papers, reviews and book chapters. He is happily married and has three grown-up children.

Table of Contents

Microorganisms and the Microbiome.- The Gut Microbiome: Essential Symbionts or Unwelcome Guests?.- How to Analyse Microbial Communities?.- How Microbes Gain Energy with and Without Oxygen.- Who Inhabits Our Gut? Introducing the Human Gut Microbiota.- Variability and Stability of the Human Gut Microbiome.- How Gut Microorganisms Make Use of Available Carbohydrates.- Do My Microbes Make Me Fat? Potential for the Gut Microbiota to Influence Energy Balance, Obesity and Metabolic Health in Humans.- Gut Microbiota and Metabolites.- Host Responses to Gut Microbes.- Treating the Gut Microbiome as a System.- Perspectives and Prospects.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Amy Hess Fischl, MS RDN LDN BC-ADM CDCES(University of Chicago Medical Center)
Description: This book is a needed addition to the microbiome/functional medicine landscape. While this is a first edition, it will be outdated quickly given the wealth of ongoing research in the field. Gaining a better understanding of the gut microbiota and its impact on health will be an ongoing narrative in the nutrition field. This book is a very good initial start for those interested in learning more about gut microbiomes.
Purpose: The book aims to deliver a concise overview of what is currently understood about the gut microbiota. In 163 pages, including the glossary and index, it encompasses what is currently known about the microbiome. Since the research thus far has opened new possibilities for nutrition care, the book's objectives are worthy in bringing the readers up to speed with the current research.
Audience: The book is meant for those with a firm grasp of all fields of science, but the author acknowledges it can be used by non-specialists with basic knowledge of science. I see this being useful to researchers interested in the topic as well as nutrition professionals. The book meets the needs of its intended audience. The author is a professor and researcher from the U.K. specializing in gut microbiota with hundreds of publications on the topic, making him a very credible expert on this topic area.
Features: While under 200 pages, this book covers a lot of ground very effectively. Its 12 chapters do a good job giving an overview of what is currently known regarding the gut microbiome. The book covers quite a bit of the author's research, but it also covers a wide range of other researchers and their conclusions. Color figures and tables are included in many chapters. The topics include an introduction to microorganisms and microbiome, the microbiome in the gut specifically, animal model studies, and human gut microbiota. One chapter delves into how our bodies make use of available carbohydrates, focusing on fiber specifically. The Perspectives and Prospects chapter is a nice wrap-up, including the ideal composition of intestinal microbiota along with practical outcomes, next generation probiotics and therapeutics, and targeted probiotics. The chapter also includes a nice figure regarding the impact of the gut microbiota on human nutrition and health. A table is also included highlighting what defines healthy gut microbiota, along with mechanisms and beneficial species. For the inhibition of pathogens, the beneficial species include bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and lactate-utilizing bacteria. While it is a fascinating read overall, it mainly focuses on current research and future possibilities, not necessarily giving clinical tips for practitioners
Assessment: This book is not meant for students, but rather anyone with a basic science background interested in learning the current path of research into the gut microbiota. This first edition will be updated quickly given the increased interest into this fascinating topic.

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