Gut microbiota: Factors affecting gut health

Abstract

The gut microbiome is one of the most important consortium of microbes that play an important role in maintaining the gut health. They produce metabolites like short chain fatty acids, tryptophan metabolites and secondary bile acids. If not produced in adequate amount may lead to generation of various disorders. In this chapter, various lifestyle factors including age, diet, exercise, drinking, smoking, use of antimicrobials and drugs; environmental factors like climate change that lead to maintain the health of the gut microbiome are discussed in detail. When practiced adequately, they may help to prevent the occurrence of various disorders in the body.