GI Microbiota and Regulation of the Immune System (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology)
Автор: [автор не указан] Год: 2008 Издание: [не указанo] Страниц: 170 ISBN: 0387799893 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...
