Houston-based Baylor College of Medicine gastroenterologist Geoffrey Preidis, MD, shared the latest research on gut microbiome and human development with the American Gastroenterological Association.
Here's what you should know:
1. Gut microbiome is constantly changing. Dr. Preidis said they evolve in a "predictable pattern called 'ecological succession.'"
2. Initial communities in newborns are very similar and consist mostly of microbes that metabolize breast milk carbohydrates.
3. A newborn gut also has high redox potential to allow for oxygen-tolerant organisms to thrive, however, as the newborn develops, oxygen is reduced, replacing those organisms with strict anaerobes.
4. Dr. Preidis said, "The most dramatic increase in gut microbiota diversity in one’s lifetime occurs when infants are weaned from breast milk or formula to a wide variety of foods. Although development is mostly complete by the toddler years, pre-adolescents still have distinct microbiome profiles compared to adults."
He added that gut microbiome matures over several decades.
5. Dr. Preidis said there's still much to learn to better understand gut microorganisms and biologic function. He believes, one day, a physician could identify a child's development by manipulating gut microbiota.
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http://www.gastro.org/news_items/what-we-know-about-the-gut-microbiome-and-human-development