viii Contents
Gut Microbes and Immune Dysfunction 93
Conclusion 98
Chapter 5: Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome 99
Metabolism and Energy Homeostasis 100
Adipose Tissue 109
The Endocannabinoid System 113
SCFA as Signaling Molecules 116
Gut Microbes and the Liver in Metabolic Function 118
Sleep, Exercise, and Other Lifestyle Factors 119
Conclusion 124
Chapter 6: The Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Diseases 125
Inflammatory Bowel Disease 125
Irritable Bowel Syndrome 130
The Low-FODMAP Diet 133
Colorectal Cancer 134
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth 138
Intestinal Infections 140
Conclusion 142
Chapter 7: Cardiovascular Disease 143
Do Bacteria Contribute to Clogged Arteries? 144
Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Gut Microbes and
Blood Lipids 146
Hypertension 151
Conclusion 154
Chapter 8: Microbes and the Gut-Brain Axis 157
Communication between Gut Microbes and the Nervous
System 157
Gut Microbes and Autism 170
Neurodegenerative Diseases 174
Conclusion 179
Glossary 181
References and Further Reading 189
Index 193
Gut Microbes and Immune Dysfunction 93
Conclusion 98
Chapter 5: Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome 99
Metabolism and Energy Homeostasis 100
Adipose Tissue 109
The Endocannabinoid System 113
SCFA as Signaling Molecules 116
Gut Microbes and the Liver in Metabolic Function 118
Sleep, Exercise, and Other Lifestyle Factors 119
Conclusion 124
Chapter 6: The Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Diseases 125
Inflammatory Bowel Disease 125
Irritable Bowel Syndrome 130
The Low-FODMAP Diet 133
Colorectal Cancer 134
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth 138
Intestinal Infections 140
Conclusion 142
Chapter 7: Cardiovascular Disease 143
Do Bacteria Contribute to Clogged Arteries? 144
Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Gut Microbes and
Blood Lipids 146
Hypertension 151
Conclusion 154
Chapter 8: Microbes and the Gut-Brain Axis 157
Communication between Gut Microbes and the Nervous
System 157
Gut Microbes and Autism 170
Neurodegenerative Diseases 174
Conclusion 179
Glossary 181
References and Further Reading 189
Index 193
