Probiotics for Human Nutrition in Health and Disease

Book excerpt: Probiotics for Human Nutrition in Health and Disease provides a comprehensive resource of information on traditional and emerging health concepts and the development and application evolution of probiotics and their role in prevention and treatment of human metabolic disorders and illnesses. Key issues related to the general aspects of probiotics, probiotics in human nutrition, and probiotics in human health promotion and disease treatment are described and discussed. Sections discuss general features of probiotics, such as relationships with prebiotics, probiotics in human nutrition, including pregnancy, lactation, in children, and in the elderly, and the role of probiotics in human health and disease treatment. This book provides the most significant knowledge, mechanistic bases, uses, clinical perceptions, case studies and perspectives about probiotics for humans, considering possibilities and limitations in light of the appropriate available reference materials. Written by highly qualified researchers and edited by a team of experts, each chapter summarizes the latest available information on probiotics in human health and critically interprets the most significant evidence by applying the author's own practical experience from investigations with probiotics. - Present traditional and emerging concepts, developments and the evolution of probiotics - Provides key insights that characterize probiotics as promising and innovative options for human nutrition - Discusses how probiotics can be used in a perspective of health promotion and prevention and treatment of human metabolic disorders and illnesses