Part of the bacterial order
Bacteroidales present in the
human gut, Parabacteroides are commonly found within the gut microenvironment.
Parabacteroides species constitute a significant component of
microbiota along the
digestive tract, benefitting from a
commensal relationship with the human body. Intestinal microbiota also benefit the human
host, modulating essential metabolism-related processes within the gut microenvironment.
Parabacteroides distasonis and
P. goldsteinii in particular form
biofilms in the
gut microbiota, allowing these species to survive under harsh conditions and maintain ample populations in extreme pH environments. Recent studies elucidate new applications of
Parabacteroides as
probiotics, supporting balanced microbiota composition as a benefit to human digestive health. Both
P. distasonis and
P. goldsteinii exhibit anti-obesity effects via production of secondary
bile acids and
succinate within the gut microenvironment. Studies on
Parabacteroides species
P. distasonis reveal metabolic benefits of this mechanism, including control of weight gain, decrease in
hyperglycemia, and amelioration of
hepatic steatosis and other metabolic diseases. == References ==