Advances in intestinal microecology: The microbiome, prebiotics, and probiotics

摘要

This issue of Nutrition in Clinical Practice (NCP) is dedicated to the theme of pre/probiotics. Prebiotics are inert substances that stimulate the growth of probiotic organisms, whereas pro-biotics are human bacterial organisms fed in supplements or foods (yogurts) that benefit the host. To understand the role of both pre- and probiotics, the physiology of the intestinal micro-biome within the intestinal microecology must be understood. Intestinal microecology is the relationship of organisms to their environment within the intestine.