Scientists are increasingly recognizing the profound influence of the gut microbiome on life-long health, particularly during the formative period from embryo to early infancy. Nurturing a healthy gut microbiome through appropriate nutrition during this crucial time may offer protection against future diseases and potentially impact the rise of chronic conditions around the world.
The composition and function of the gut microbiome – the vast ecosystem of microorganisms living in our digestive system – may play a key role in our overall health. And no time is more important for shaping our gut microbiome than the very early stages of life, research suggests.
The gut microbiome is linked to multiple health conditions
Scientists are ever more discovering links between the gut microbiome and chronic health conditions. The illnesses influenced by the gut microbiome range from chronic immune and inflammatory diseases such as allergies to the development of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, one of the most pressing global health challenges of the past few decades.
Often, these conditions are already present in childhood and adolescence, and have been associated with a gut microbiota composition that differs from that of healthy people.
Health and nutrition scientists at the University of Turku in Finland have reviewed the latest research on potential health benefits of modulating the microbiome during the critical early stages of childhood development (1). Their findings suggest that modifying the gut microbiome through nutritional changes in early life may be central to protecting against many chronic health conditions and increase resilience to global health challenges.
The early years of childhood are a critical window for future health
The evidence suggests that the foundations for long-term health are laid as early as during pregnancy and early infancy. This period represents a time of great change, where immune, metabolic, and microbial systems are forming. Scientists believe that interventions during the first 1,000 days – throughout pregnancy, birth and early infancy – offer a promising time window to improve long-term health and resilience against chronic diseases:
- Pregnancy: A mother’s health and weight gain during pregnancy can affect a child’s health (2). For example, too much weight gain during pregnancy has been shown to change the gut microbiome of pregnant women, which in turn can act as a driving force for metabolic changes (3,4).
- Birth: Birth and breastfeeding processes both influence a child’s microbiome development. The make-up of a mother’s gut microbiome – determined by her diet and environment – guides the composition of a breastfeeding child’s gut microbiome during a critical period of immune and metabolic development (5).
- Early infancy: Introducing solid foods to infants is linked with a significant increase in gut microbiome diversity (6). Studies show that changes to the gut microbiome of infants may help to promote childhood growth, development and health, and to lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Nutrition and gut microbiome are essential in shaping immune and metabolic maturation for lifelong health
Studies showed that our gut microbiome is shaped by what we eat, which has consequences for our long-term health. A balanced diet supports a diverse and balanced microbiome, which helps regulate our immune responses and metabolism. An imbalance of gut bacteria can contribute to inflammation, obesity, and chronic diseases.
Within our overall diet, probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (compounds that feed good bacteria) are emerging as key tools in promoting gut health. Research suggests that incorporating these elements into the diet, particularly during pregnancy and infancy, could significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases later in life:
- Probiotics: Evidence suggests that probiotic interventions during pregnancy can lower the risk of obesity and allergy in children. The World Allergy Organization recommends providing probiotics to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers if their infants have a high risk of developing allergies (7).
- Prebiotics: Studies suggest that prebiotics found uniquely in breastmilk may modify infant gut microbiota, lowering the risk of infection and affects childhood development, which may have an impact on later health (8).
- Other nutrients: Diet modification during pregnancy can modify the maternal gut microbiome, with potential impacts on metabolic, immune, and clinical outcomes for both mother and child. For example, high-fibre diets increase microbial diversity, while high-fat diets show the opposite effect (9).
The role of the gut microbiome in preventive health
Evidence links the risk of several chronic diseases to changes in the microbiome during early childhood and pregnancy. However, the researchers conclude that our understanding of the gut microbiome’s role in long-term health is still developing. Questions remain about the mechanisms by which diet, environment and gut bacteria interact to shape health outcomes.
The authors emphasize the importance of beneficial dietary interventions during pregnancy, breastfeeding and early infancy. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers have a unique opportunity to pass on microbial and metabolic advantages to their children through a nutrition supporting a healthy gut microbiome.
By incorporating foods providing probiotics, such as fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir, into their diet, mothers can promote gut-friendly nutrition from the earliest stages of life. This approach may help curb the rising tide of chronic diseases.
“By promoting the health of pregnant and lactating women today, the health of the next generation(s) may be successfully improved. The perfect tools for this initiative derive from the earliest and most massive source of environmental exposures, namely the microbiome and nutrition.”
