Handbook of Prebiotics presents a balanced view of the current knowledge in many different areas of prebiotics. It discusses concept, definition and criteria for classification of a food component as prebiotic, amd describes interactions with gut microbiota.

The book presents current arguments for and against prebiotic intake. It discusses the biomechanics of prebiotics and their effects on immune status, serum lipid concentrations, mineral bioavailability, and satiety modulation. It also considers the health implications of prebiotic intake such as reduced incidence of gastroenteritis and chronic pathogenic gut disorders, including intestinal cancers and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Handbook of Prebiotics explores the varying effects of prebiotics in different populations and age groups such as infants and the elderly, as well as livestock and pets. The final chapters describe food avenues and the safety implications for prebiotic use.

Features:

• Offers a critical review of the scientific evidence on prebiotic function and benefits
• Provides a comprehensive, balanced treatment of the field, with evidence and arguments for and against prebiotic supplementation
• Looks at the food uses and safety regulations that would apply
• Describes the biomechanics and interaction of prebiotics and microbiota
• Explores the health benefits to be gained including increased nutrient absorption, and reduction of risk of chronic pathogenic gut disorders

Contents

1. General Introduction: Prebiotics in Nutrition
2. Gastrointestinal Microflora and Interactions with Gut Mucosa
3. Prebiotics: Concept, Definition, Criteria, Methodologies, and Products
4. The Prebiotic Effect: Review of Experimental and Human Data
5. Effects of Prebiotics on Mineral Absorption: Mechanisms of Action
6. Prebiotics and the Absorption of Minerals: A Review of Experimental and Human Data
7. Immune Functions and Mechanisms in the Gastrointestinal Tract
8. Prebiotics and the Immune System: Review of Experimental and Human Data
9. Triacylglycerols and Cholesterol Metabolism
10. Prebiotics and Lipid Metabolism: Review of Experimental and Human Data
11. Endocrinology of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Modulation of Satiety: Specific Focus on Glucagon-Like Peptide
12. Prebiotics and Modulation of Gastrointestinal Peptides
13. Designing Studies and Rodent Models for Studying Prebiotics for Colorectal Cancer Prevention
14. Colorectal Cancer Prevention: The Role of Prebiotics
15. Prebiotics and Reduction of Risk of Carcinogenesis: Review of Experimental and Human Data
16. Prebiotics and Cancer Therapy
17. Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
18. Prebiotics in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
19. Prebiotics and Infant Nutrition
20. Prebiotics and Nutrition in the Elderly: The Concept of Healthy Ageing
21. Prebiotics and Animal Nutrition, J. Van Loo
22. Food Applications of Prebiotics, A. Franck
23. Prebiotics and Food Safety
24. Concluding Remarks

Index

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