Can how we are born really impact the diversity of our gut bacteria? Catherine Morgan writes
Research into the microbiome (our inner ecosystem of trillions of microscopic microorganisms and their collective genetic makeup) has revealed that the diversity and balance of microbes lurking within our guts could have long-term implications for our health — starting in infancy.
In 2016, a study published in Nature Medicine showed that new-born babies who had a particular pattern of gut microbes were three-times more likely to develop allergic reactions by the age of two, and asthma by the age of four. 1,2 Babies in the highest risk group had lower levels of certain normal gut bacteria (e.g. Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium) and abnormally high levels of certain fungal species (Candida and Rhodotorula).
The study is part of a growing body of evidence suggesting that developing a ‘healthy’ gut microbiome from birth is essential. This complex microbial system plays a key role in just about every aspect of our health, from digestion and vitamin production, to the regulation of our immune systems. A shift in microbial balance (i.e. dysbiosis) has also been associated with an increasing number of health problems, from allergies and gastrointestinal disorders 3 to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis 4 and rheumatoid arthritis, 5 and even obesity. 6
Where does it all begin?
It has been commonly accepted that whilst in the womb, babies live in a sterile environment — receiving their first dose of bacteria from their mother whilst in the birth canal, and then through skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding. But there is now a view that we may receive bacteria from our mothers even before birth. 7,8,9
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Denne historien er fra Winter 2017/18-utgaven av Optimum Nutrition.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Summer Of
Summer is when we want to be out and about, as the warm embrace of the sofa on a cold winter’s night becomes a distant memory. So where do you go when the brain is willing but the body just can’t cut it at the same level of performance that it managed decades ago? Graeme Wilcockson reviews a few ways to satisfy those competitive weekend instincts that will tax both mind and body — yet leave you able to move on Monday morning
Common Kitchen Practices Making Us Sick
Every year, thousands of us fall sick from food poisoning because of how we have handled food. Louise Scodie and Louise Wates look at common ways in which we are going wrong
Could Antioxidants Save Our Bacan?
Nitrates and nitrites have long been linked to cancer. We look at how they are part of a chain reaction that may not always be harmful to human health... So what’s the case with bacon?
Eat For A Glow That Is More Than Skin Deep
Now that summer is here, it’s time to peel off the layers and make some vitamin D. But if your skin isn’t as peachy as you would like, or if you are worried about staying safe in the sun, find out how good nutrition may support your skin’s health. Maggie Charlesworth writes
Natural Beauty
If headlines about microbeads from cosmetics polluting our seas have got you wondering how you can do your bit for the environment, try using nature’s harvest to feed your skin. Hannah Maryse Robinson writes
A Summer Selection Of Goods And Goodies
Lazy Vegan frozen Chunky Pulled Peaz is a gluten-free, plant-based protein source suitable for vegans and — with a substantial texture — flexitarians.
Do Something Different
As many of us are concerned about keeping our brains active, Ellie Smith investigates whether trying something completely new could boost both our brain health and mental wellbeing
Lifting Weights, Lifting Confidence
When Bianca Mills was bullied at school she could not have dreamt that she would be able to speak in front of a group of women, let alone coach them in lifting free weights. She told Louise Wates why she believes buddying-up is just as important as physical strength for fostering confidence
Teaching Children How To Forage
Catherine Morgan finds out how foraging can teach children (and adults) about more than nature’s store cupboard, and can foster an understanding of and respect for the environment.
Keep Calm And Curry On
In August, India celebrates the anniversary of Indian Independence, yet the Anglo-Indian community, a legacy of the British Raj with its roots in European and Indian ancestry, still treads the cultural line between both communities. Jenny Mallin, author of A Grandmother’s Legacy, tells us about the fusion food in her family and recipes passed down through the generations
