New View on Dietary Fiber Selection for Predictable Shifts in Gut Microbiota
Abstract
Dietary fibers can be utilized to shape the human gut microbiota. However, the outcomes from most dietary fibers currently used as prebiotics are a result of competition between microbes with overlapping abilities to utilize these fibers. Thus, divergent fiber responses are observed across individuals harboring distinct microbial communities. Here, we propose that dietary fibers can be classified hierarchically according to their specificity toward gut microbes. Highly specific fibers harbor chemical and physical characteristics that allow them to be utilized by only a narrow group of bacteria within the gut, reducing competition for that substrate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Feb 25, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1128/mbio.02179-19
Entities
People
- Bruce R Hamaker
- T. M. Cantu-jungles
Organizations
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
- Purdue University