Why is the GUT microbiota so important?

Did you know our gut (large intestine) microbiota consists of trillions of living microbes inside your gut and it is the gate keeper to our health? It is responsible for regulating what's allowed in and keeps our immune system strong.

When a baby is born, their microbiome takes several years to develop, so by the age of three a child's gut microbiota should be at its most diverse, providing its healthy (diversity is the key to good health and disease prevention). This will depend on what happens in these vital first years of life, which actually begins during pregnancy.

There are crucial stages that can alter a baby's gut microbiota and we know that babies born via caesarian, infants born preterm, or antibiotic exposure in that first year of their life, can all provide a disruption to the developing infants microbiota and create long term health problems. This also depends on their diet, including how long they were breast fed for and their age, when solids and high allergic foods are introduced. The baby's genetic makeup also plays a role which is passed down from both parents. Essentially all factors can provide and contribute to a disruption in their gut microbiota that can pre expose them to metabolic programming (obesity, diabetes type 2), immune issues, asthma and eczema.

Steps involved with developing a baby’s GUT Microbiota

We now know it is vital that the mother is in good health when conception occurs and that the health of the mother can directly influence the baby via the placental microbiota (exposing baby to the mother’s gut microbiota during pregnancy). It’s also important the mother’s oral and vaginal microbiota is healthy too.

When the baby is delivered via a vaginal delivery, it is exposed to the mother’s vaginal microbiota which contains beneficial lactobacillus species. If a baby is delivered via caesarean, it is normally much more of a sterile environment and the baby is exposed to more of the opportunistic bacteria which lives on the skin. The next stage in the development of the gut microbiota, is the consumption of colostrum and breast milk, both of which are extremely unique and adaptive, tailoring to what the baby’s requirements are at that given time. Breastmilk is made up of lactose, fat and a prebiotic called oligosaccharides. This prebiotic acts as food for the beneficial gut bacteria, whilst aiding the growth and lining of the baby’s gut. It also feeds a species called bifidobacterium infantis, which protects the baby from autoimmune conditions and prevents pathogenic bacteria from taking over. Breastfed babies are at a decreased risk of allergies, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, eczema, ear infections, childhood obesity, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Some signs your child’s gut microbiome might be out of balance are:

If your child….

is getting frequently sick
has ear infections
is a fussy eater
is having tummy troubles
has nausea
has food intolerances
suffers from constipation
has eczema/skin rashes
has mood and behavioural problems.

If your child has antibiotics frequently (even one course in the first year of life can significantly impact their developing gut microbiota), then this needs to be addressed. A naturopath can help with this, by working with you to improve your child’s microbiome and therefore improving up to 80% of their immune system, which is said to reside in the gut (large bowel).

Why preconception matters?

If you’re thinking of starting a family, then the 3–6-month window before conception is the time to address any health concerns you and your partner have and improve your oral, gut and vaginal microbiota. A naturopath can refer you for a test called GI mapping, which can tell us exactly what kind of health your microbiome is in. Preconception care is also vital for the dad as much as the mum, as it is 50% of his DNA being passed down. A good diet and lifestyle (no smoking & limited alcohol) during 3-6 month window can influence the quality of the sperm & egg that is produced and is even able to improve sperm motility (promote good swimmers) and morphology (shape).

Reference:

CCCH-The-First-Thousand-Days-A-Evidence-Paper-September-2017.pdf.

Children’s Health: How to build a robust microbiome-The crucial first 3 years of life