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Cited by 621

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 5 of the 5 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Review article: prebiotics in the gastrointestinal tract

MACFARLANE, S., MACFARLANE, G. T., CUMMINGS, J. H.·2006·Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.03042.x
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Abstract

Summary: Background: Prebiotics are short‐chain carbohydrates that alter the composition, or metabolism, of the gut microbiota in a beneficial manner. It is therefore expected that prebiotics will improve health in a way similar to probiotics, whilst at the same time being cheaper, and carrying less risk and being easier to incorporate into the diet than probiotics. Aim: To review published evidence for prebiotic effects on gut function and human health. Methods: We searched the Science Citation Index with the terms prebiotic, microbiota, gut bacteria, large intestine, mucosa, bowel habit, constipation, diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, pouchitis, calcium and cancer, focussing principally on studies in humans and reports in the English language. Search of the Cochrane Library did not identify any clinical study or meta‐analysis on this topic. Results: Three prebiotics, oligofructose, galacto‐oligosaccharides and lactulose, clearly alter the balance of the large bowel microbiota by increasing bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus numbers. These carbohydrates are fermented and give rise to short‐chain fatty acid and intestinal gas; however, effects on bowel habit are relatively small. Randomized‐controlled trials of their effect in a clinical context are few, although animal studies show anti‐inflammatory effects in inflammatory bowel disease, while calcium absorption is increased. Conclusions: It is still early days for prebiotics, but they offer the potential to modify the gut microbial balance in such a way as to bring direct health benefits cheaply and safely.

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Metadata

Authors
MACFARLANE, S., MACFARLANE, G. T., & CUMMINGS, J. H.
Venue
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2006-08-16
Volume
24
Issue
5
Pages
701-714
ISSN
  • 0269-2813 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2036
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.03042.x
OpenAlex
W2100692896
Cited by
621
References
5
FWCI
31.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed

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