Metabolism of Alimentary Compounds by the Intestinal Microbiota and Health :

This book provides an overview of the metabolism of dietary compounds by the intestinal microbiota, and on the consequences of such metabolic activity on host metabolism and physiological functions; both in intestinal and peripheral tissues. Over the last years, our understanding of the causal links between microbiota metabolic activity towards dietary and endogenous substrates and human health status has evolved extensively. In this context, the book starts with a comprehensive introduction devoted to the physiological and metabolic functions of the intestinal epithelium, followed by a part dedicated to the way intestine offers board and lodging for microbes being on a short- or long-term stay. The next chapters focus on the utilization of the available substrates from diet by the intestinal bacteria to produce numerous bacterial metabolites, and on the impact of such microbial activity, in the first place for communication between microbes, and for communication between microbes and lodging host.