traditional rural settlements than that of the contemporary
urban dweller [117].
What then, are the broad implications of loss of microbial
diversity as a consequence of modernization? Detailed
dietary analysis in combination with DNA sequencing
of stool samples has its advantages. These techniques
have allowed researchers to determine that long-term
dietary patterns largely determine the main phyla of
the gut microbial profile [118]. However, psychological
stress or short-term dietary changes are capable of inducing
species-level changes to the intestinal microbiota
[119]. While the administration of singular or small
groups of select beneficial microbes may not have a
major impact on stable phyla, probiotic intervention
studies (as discussed previously) have taught us that
species-level application of microbes are not without
clinical relevance. A single strain of Lactobacillus, one
that might be carried with traditional foods, may improve
overall microbial diversity [120]. The administration of a
single Bifidobacterium strain, one among a genera commonly
found in fermented dairy products, can increase the
intestinal quantity of completely separate Bifidobacterium
species, and Lactobacilli overall [121,122].