NUTR3000 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Phaseolus Lunatus, Firmicutes, Dysbiosis
Document Summary
The average person has ~ 2kg of bacteria that live in parts of the body exposed to the environment. There are over 160 different species of bacteria in the gut (including some viruses, protozoa and fungi); 90% of the bacteria come from two main phylum systems: firmicutes and bacteriodetes. A high f:b ratio increases the risk of ill-health. A high f:b ratio is also associated with insulin resistance. Gut bacteria are involved in fermenting undigested carbohydrates into short chain fatty acids (scfa"s) in particular, butyrate. Bacteria in the gut degrades/metabolizes the soluble bacteria. This soluble bacteria then produces scfa, partially butyrate. Butyrate in the body is good, it makes you healthy. Butyrate plays a very important role in regulating intestinal physiology and immune function. They also interact with the immune system and are involved in signalling. 70% of all cellular constituents of the the immune system are found in the gut.