Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
UK scientists have discovered that the first bacteria encountered by our bodies in the hours following birth could potentially protect us from dangerous infections. This groundbreaking finding revealed that good bacteria may reduce the risk of young children being hospitalized with lung infections by half. The implications of this research are significant and could lead to the development of new therapies aimed at enhancing the presence of beneficial bacteria in infants.
Our initial interactions with microbes are believed to play a crucial role in the development of our immune system. While we are born sterile, our bodies quickly become inhabited by a variety of microbial life, collectively known as the microbiome. Researchers at University College London and the Sanger Institute delved into the early stages of bacterial colonization in newborns by collecting stool samples from over 1,000 infants within the first week of life. By conducting a comprehensive genetic analysis, they were able to identify the different species present and their abundance in each child.
The study found that a specific bacterium, Bifidobacterium longum, appeared to offer protection against lung infections. Babies with this bacterial species had a significantly lower likelihood of requiring hospitalization due to respiratory issues compared to infants with different bacterial compositions. This data marks the first instance where the formation of the microbiome has been linked to infection risk, indicating a potential avenue for future preventative measures.
The mechanism by which these bacteria exert their protective effects remains unclear. However, it is speculated that B. longum, which initially aids in the digestion of breast milk, may interact with the immune system to enhance its ability to distinguish between harmful and beneficial agents. Notably, the protective bacteria were predominantly found in babies born vaginally rather than via cesarean section. While the insights gained from this study do not advocate for practices like vaginal seeding, they do pave the way for the development of microbial therapies, such as probiotics, designed to establish a healthy microbiome in infants
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.