The Development Of The Infant Microbiome
“The digestive tract is an ideal setting for microbial biofilm formation. It can be considered as a huge bioreactor with a constant temperature, high humidity, regular supply of food and removal of waste. All these are ideal conditions for microbial growth,” says Professor Soren Sorensen from the University of Copenhagen, a specialist in microbiology.
The flora in the intestinal tract serve many functions. They assist in breaking down molecules to use their energy, participate in biosynthesis of vitamins B and K, degrade harmful substances and keep pathogenic microbes from growing out of control.
Sorensen says, “It is important which microbes we are exposed to and when. A dybiotic microbiota causes insufficient immune response. The gut microbiota of infants who would later develop allergy have been shown to harbor less enterococcus and bacteriodes and high amount of clostridia compared to healthy infants.”
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Individuals who develop allergies have shown to have less bifido and lacto-bacillus bacterium. They also often present with more stapholococcus.
“Dysbiosis enhances the risk of development of asthma and other allergic diseases. Diabetes and obesity has been coorelated with such dysbiosis,” he says.
Sorensen goes on to say, “Gut colonisation may even start before birth through an internal transfer from maternal bacteria to the fetal digestive tract. It is a type of inheritance of maternal microbiota.”
The first bacteria to develop in the intestinal tract are Entero-bacter, Entero-coccus, Lacto-bacillus and Strepto-coccus. The second phase of bacteria to colonize are Bacte-roides, Befidi-bacterium, Fuso-bacterium and clostridium.
Delivery by cesarean section versus vaginal birth proves less beneficial in developing the balance and healthy population of the infant. Sorensen says, “Children delivered by cesarean section have a two-fold increased risk of developing asthma and other allergic diseases.”
In addition to less bacteria after birth infants have shown more bacteria after birth coorelated with mothers who ingested probiotics while pregnant. He says, “The first 1,000 days of life starting with inception are considered to be the most important period in any individual’s life providing the foundation for health. The establishment of a diverse microbiota seems to be a very important factor here.”
The challenge with infant probiotics is the introduction of pathogens through added fillers and binders.
Donna Gates, author of Body Ecology Diet sees success putting drops of kraut juice into the mouths of infants right after birth. Supplemental probiotics, designed for infants and babies are also beneficial, however, be careful of ones like this that contains GMO maltodextrin which contains glyphosate, a registered antibiotic. This will negate the probiotic factors and kill beneficial bacteria.
If the infant is relatively healthy this probiotic is an excellent choice. However, if their microbiome is already compromised due to receiving inappropriate beneficial strains from the mother the chickory root can feed pathogens. This one ranks the same.
Regardless of their microbiome deficiencies this probiotic is highly ranked and does not feed pathogens.
While taking a probiotic, weather as an infant or adult, be careful to use the beneficial strains properly. Click here to read more.
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*Nourishing Plot is written by Becky Plotner, ND, traditional naturopath, GAPS who sees clients in Rossville, Georgia. Since her son was delivered from the effects of autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, bipolar disorder/manic depression, hypoglycemia and dyslexia through food she continued her education specializing in Leaky Gut and parasitology through Duke University, finishing with distinction. This is not a news article published by a paper trying to make money. This blog is put out by a mom who sees first hand the effects of nourishing food vs food-ish items. No company pays her for writing these blogs, she considers this a form of missionary work. It is her desire to scream it from the rooftops so that others don’t suffer from the damaging effect of today’s “food”.
Soren Sorensen lectured from the University of Copenhagen online June 24, 2005.
