title: The impact of probiotics and prebiotics on the immune system.
abstract: Probiotics and prebiotics are increasingly being added to foodstuffs with claims of health benefits. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are thought to have beneficial effects on the host, whereas prebiotics are ingredients that stimulate the growth and/or function of beneficial intestinal microorganisms. But can these products directly modulate immune function and influence inflammatory diseases? Here, Nature Reviews Immunology asks four experts to discuss these issues and provide their thoughts on the future application of probiotics as a disease therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food, Bioprocessing & Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA. Klaenhammer@ncsu.edu
authors.forename: Todd R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Klaenhammer
authors.forename: Michiel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kleerebezem
authors.forename: Matthias Volkmar
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Kopp
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rescigno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D056747:Immunomodulation; D056692:Prebiotics; D019936:Probiotics
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics