Probiotic Bacteria and Their Effect on Human Health and Well-being

The profile of bacteria residing in the human intestine has been increasingly linked to differential disease risk and resistance, resulting in both medical and popular interest in the potential benefits of probiotic therapy. This compendium of recent research and reviews on the topic of intestinal microbiota is intended to inform professionals such as doctors, biologists, food scientists, and environmental researchers in their studies and practice. Guarino (translational medical science, U. of Naples Federico II, Italy), Quigley (medicine, U. College Cork, Ireland), and Walker (pediatrics, Harvard Medical School) have collected chapters addressing influences on microbiota populations, function of the intestinal microbiome, substantiated probiotic therapies, probiotics in food, and the future of the field. Each chapter is structured like a journal article, opening with an abstract and ending with references, and is organized under a larger topic heading. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)