Microbiota in Health and Disease

Microbiota refers to the range of microorganisms present in and on all multicellular organisms, including plants, which may be commensal, pathogenic or symbiotic. It consists of archaea, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and protists. Scientifically, it has been established that these organisms are important for their host's hormonal, immunologic, and metabolic homeostasis. The microbiota influences several essential functions of the human body, such as the production of vitamins B12 and K, regulation of the immune system, metabolization of xenobiotic substances, digestion of food, and various other tasks. A healthy individual's microbiota protects them from pathogenic organisms that may enter the body through eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Directly or indirectly, the microbiota affects various diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, metabolic disorders, and even psychological disorders like schizophrenia. This book aims to shed light on the role of microbiota in health and diseases. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.