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Maturing the immune system: probiotics for disease prevention

 
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In recent years, there has been an explosion of research describing the role of the human microbiota and its influence on health and disease. While we still have much to learn, there is nevertheless, wide epidemiological and experimental evidence to support the notion that the microbial community of the infant gut plays a profound role in programming and directing immune development. Although there is extensive variability across individuals, the healthy human microbiome is always a diverse ecology that develops under a process of species succession, from infancy to adulthood. In this sense, the human microbiome can be compared to other complex ecologies in which the stability and health of the system is determined by the variety and number of microbial species and their relationship to each other and the host environment. We now know that a loss of microbial diversity in infancy can be a key driver in the development of numerous chronic diseases in later life.

There is also growing evidence for the use of probiotics in the management of specific immune related conditions. While the tendency of late has been to focus on the treatment of specific conditions with particular strains of bacteria, we must remember that it is this principle of ecological diversity that will ultimately contribute to homeostasis. This is achieved through key environmental and dietary factors; the earlier in life the better. 

Among breastfed infants, bifidobacterium-dominated microbiotas are more frequent than among infants fed with formula, but other compositions are also common. After then, a large shift in microbiota composition accompanies the introduction of solid foods into the diet. A diet rich in vegetables and water soluble fibre will foster a very different bacterial community compared to a diet high in animal protein and simple sugars.

In this infographic we explore the intimate relationship between the developing microbiota of the infant gut and immune health and maturation.

REFERENCES

  1. Fujimara KE, Slusher NA, Cabana MD, et al. Role of gut microbiota in defining human health. Expert Rev Anti Infect There 2010;8(4):435-454. [Full text]
     
  2. Okada H, Kuhn C, Feillet H, et al. The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ for autoimmune and allergic diseases: an update. Clin Exp Immunol 2010;160(1):1-9. [Full text]
     
  3. Valdez Y, Brown E, Finlay B. Influence of the microbiota on vaccine effectiveness. TRENDS Immunol 2014;35(11):526-537. [Abstract]
     
  4. Maynard CL, Elson CO, Hatton RD, et al. Reciprocal interactions of the intestinal microbiota and immune system. Nature 2012;489:231-241. [Full text]
     
  5. Jakobsson HE, Abrahamsson TR, Jenmalm MC, et al. Decreased gut microbiota diversity, delayed bacteroidetes colonisation and reduced Th1 responses in infants delivered by caesarean section. Gut 2014;63(4):559-566. [Full text]
     
  6. MacGillivray DM, Kollman TR. The role of environmental factors in modulating immune responses in early life. Front Immunol 2014;5(434):1-12. [Full text]
     
  7. Funkhouser LJ, Bordenstein SR. Mom knows best: the universality of maternal microbial transmission. PLoS Biol 2013;11(8):e1001631. [Full text]
     
  8. Arrieta MC, Stiemsma LT, Amenyogbe N, et al. The intestinal microbiome in early life: health and disease. Front Immunol 2014;5;5:427. [Full text]

 


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The information provided on FX Medicine is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided on this site is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you have read here raises questions or concerns regarding your health. 

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Melissa Lee
Melissa is a designer turned nutritionist, who has combined the two modalities to create purposeful designs for various health publications and websites. Having initially studied Multimedia Systems Design, she then went on to complete a BHSc in Nutritional Medicine which led to her involvement in the integrative medicine industry and eventually to FX Medicine.