FAQs

GUT FLORA: Bacteria in the gut fulfills a host of useful functions for humans, including digestion of unutilized energy substrates;[20] stimulating cell growth; repressing the growth of harmful microorganisms; training the immune system to respond only to pathogens; and defending against some diseases.

Research suggests that the relationship between gut flora[8] and humans is not merely commensal (a non-harmful coexistence), but rather is a mutualistic, symbiotic relationship.[3] Though people can survive with no gut flora,[4] the microorganisms perform a host of useful functions, such as fermenting unused energy substrates, training the immune system, preventing growth of harmful species,[2] regulating the development of the gut, producing vitamins for the host (such as biotin and vitamin K), and producing hormones to direct the host to store fats. However, in certain conditions, some species are thought to be capable of causing disease by causing infection or increasing cancer risk for the host.