Abstract
The gut microbiota is a remarkable asset for human health. As a key element in the development and prevention of specific diseases, its study has yielded a new field of promising biotherapeutics. Homeostasis of the gut microbiota maintains various functions which are vital to the maintenance of human health. Disruption of the intestinal ecosystem equilibrium (gut dysbiosis) is associated with a plethora of human diseases, including autoimmune and allergic diseases, metabolic diseases, bacterial infections and altered cancer prevention. Beneficial modulation of the gut microbiota using agents such as prebiotics, probiotics, and antibiotic may favor health-promoting populations of bacteria and can be exploited to develop novel biotherapeutics. Evidence continues to emerge that the intestinal microbiota is intrinsically linked with overall health-including cancer risk.