Gut microbiota and its importance for human health

Abstract

Background. In recent years, much attention has been paid to the importance and role of the gut microbiota in human health maintaining and its composition violations in various diseases. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the up-to-date literature on the intestinal microbiota, its composition, role and functions in maintaining human health, as well as on the factors affecting the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Material and methods. An analytical review of published studies on the intestinal microbiota was conducted. Results and discussion. The development of new metagenomic methods for studying the microbiota has led to a fundamental breakthrough in the advancement of ideas about its role, composition and functions in the human body. Despite significant differences in the composition of the gut microbiota in healthy people, the microbiota of a healthy person remains relatively stable throughout life; its composition is influenced by a number of factors: Mode of delivery, age, geographic area of residence, genetic characteristics of the person, consumption of related drugs, diet, and others. Treatment with antibiotics may also lead to pronounced changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Other adverse events of antibiotic therapy may include the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria; resistance may be due to the presence of genes encoding resistance factors to antibacterial drugs. Conclusion. Thus, the gut microbiota plays a tremendous role in maintaining human health and the development of a number of diseases.