The gut microbiota plays a fundamental role in human health, influencing
various physiological processes and contributing to overall welfare. This book chapter
synthesizes current knowledge on the modulation of gut microbiota through key
interventions, including prebiotics, probiotics, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT),
and dietary strategies. Prebiotics act as non-digestible fibers that selectively stimulate
the growth and activity of primary three enterotypes like Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and
Actinobacteria that have emerged as promising contributors to gut health. Probiotics
which are live microorganisms provide considerate health benefits and offer
simultaneously, a direct means of manipulating microbial composition. FMT, a
therapeutic approach involving the transfer of faecal material from a healthy donor to a
recipient, has gained attention for its potential to restore gut microbiota equilibrium.
Additionally, dietary interventions, such as high-fibrous diets, polyphenolic-rich foods,
omega-3 fatty acids, and restricted sugar intake can exert profound effects on the gut
microbial community. Understanding the intricate interplay between these
interventions and the gut microbiota provides valuable insights into developing
targeted strategies for promoting gastrointestinal health and managing various health
conditions like obesity, IBD, and Type 2 diabetes. This chapter highlights recent
advancements, challenges, and future directions in harnessing the potential of
prebiotics, probiotics, FMT, and dietary interventions for modulating the gut
microbiota and improving human health.
Keywords: Dietary intervention, Enterotypes, Fatty acids, Gastrointestinal health, Gut, Human health, Live-microorganisms, Microbiota, Obesity, Polyphenol-rich foods.
