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Biomedical subjects

M H Floch

Publications and source records attributed to M H Floch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Bile salts, intestinal microflora and enterohepatic circulation.

Use of probiotic therapy implies an attempt to maintain the normal bacterial flora or to alter the bacterial flora so that organisms beneficial to the host are nurtured. We also know that the bacterial flora are essential in the deconjugation and transformation of bile acid metabolism. The relationships of the bile acids to intestinal bacteria and their recurrent exposure in the enterohepatic circulation are discussed.

Bile↗
PubMed2001

Probiotics and functional foods in gastrointestinal disorders.

Probiotics are live microbial food supplements that benefit the host animal by improving intestinal microbial balance. When they are fed in yogurts, they can fall into the category of functional foods. Functional foods include these probiotics, prebiotics, and, to a certain extent, dietary fiber. Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients or supplements that alter the intestinal flora and stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria. Dietary fibers are part of plant foods that are nonstarch polysaccharides and are poorly digested or not digested by human enzymes. The physiologic process in which probiotics and functional foods affect the intestinal flora is through the balance of the intestinal microecology. This review looks at the four major components of intestinal microecology and describes the probiotics in use today and their clinical relevance. Although probiotics hold great promise and appear to be useful in some settings, more clinical study is needed to firmly establish the relevance of probiotic therapy.

Dietary Fiber↗
PubMed1994

Clinical evaluation and treatment of constipation.

Constipation is a symptom but can generally be defined as less than three bowel movements per week. The history and physical examination should be evaluated for stool size, frequency, and straining and discomfort on defecation. The influence of age, gender, and society should also be considered. The etiologies of constipation can be classified as 1. dietary; 2. drug induced; 3. metabolic; 4. neurologic; or 5. anatomic. If hard or small stools are part of the initial evaluation, then a dietary approach of increased dietary fiber intake can be used as a therapeutic trial. If it does not succeed or the history and physical evaluation indicate an etiology other than dietary, then barium-contrast enema, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, transit time, or anorectal manometry can be used selectively in further evaluation. Detailed methods of treatment are described, such as how to increase fiber intake by use of dietary history and recommendation of appropriate fiber, food, or supplement intake. Methods of using behavioral changes such as laxation and toilet-training programs are described. In selected situations pharmacologic therapy and, rarely, surgical intervention, can be useful.

Adult↗