Does diet influence human fecal microflora composition?
1980
Hentges, David J.
Numerous studies have been carried out with rats, mice, and squirrels demonstrating that diet alterations and conditions of dietary stress induce changes in their intestinal microflora composition. Evidence that diet influences intestinal microflora composition in humans, however, is more controversial, due in part to extensive numbers of bacterial species (400-500) present in the intestinal tract of humans. Evidence, however, indicates that diet influences human fecal flora composition under some conditions. Studies of bacterial flora in human infants and adult men, and of fecal mutagens, are reviewed. Fecal flora of breast-fed infants differs from infants fed cow's milk-based formula. Epidemiological data have suggested that products of intestinal bacteria may be responsible for colon cancer as a result of different diets consumed in different parts of the world. However, US colon cancer incidence does not correlate with dietary habits. On the other hand, it was reported that dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid reduces fecal mutagenic activity. Nonetheless, studies with subjects on control diets revealed minor and inconsistent changes in fecal flora composition in response to dietary alterations, making further research necessary before quantitive statements can be made concerning dietary influences on human intestinal bacterial composition. (wz)
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