ABSTRACT
The gastrointestinal tract is both the largest endocrine and immune organ in the entire body-an evolutionary adaptation owing largely to the continual influx of food products we consume and need to digest. With over 50 known gut hormone genes and a multitude of bioactive peptides, and a mucosal surface harboring a dense microbial community, it is no wonder that dysbiosis and imbalances of the gastrointestinal tract have been implicated in an array of diseases throughout the body. In this review, we will discuss the latest research in the area of diet-microbe interactions and offer perspective on the influence of diet in maintaining immune homeostasis in the gut, and provide insight into new therapeutic pathways.
