The Development of the Gut Microbiome in Young Children: Difference between revisions
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
==Introduction to the Gut Microbiome== | ==Introduction to the Gut Microbiome== | ||
The gut microbiome is composed of trillions of microbes that form a protective barrier in the digestive system of humans as well as many other organisms. The gut microbiome, also known as gut flora or gut microbiota, is a part of the innate immune system that is essential for human health. The gut microbiome protects humans from pathogenic microbes and helps regulate the uptake of several important vitamins and other nutrients. Within this microbiome, there is an immense level of diversity of species. The majority of these species are bacteria, but various fungi and archaea have also been identified (1). <br> | The gut microbiome is composed of trillions of microbes that form a protective barrier in the digestive system of humans as well as many other organisms. The gut microbiome, also known as gut flora or gut microbiota, is a part of the innate immune system that is essential for human health. The gut microbiome protects humans from pathogenic microbes and helps regulate the uptake of several important vitamins and other nutrients. Within this microbiome, there is an immense level of diversity of species. The majority of these species are bacteria, but various fungi and archaea have also been identified (1). <br> | ||
<br>Because the gut microbiota is such an important mechanism of defense in humans, it begins developing as soon as a baby is born. While the majority of bacterial infiltration into the gut occurs just after birth, an initial exposure to beneficial microbes takes place in the placenta in utero (6). It has been found that the gut flora of infants develops for about 3 years to reach maturity (1)(3)(4)(12)(9). <br> | <br>Because the gut microbiota is such an important mechanism of defense in humans, it begins developing as soon as a baby is born. While the majority of bacterial infiltration into the gut occurs just after birth, an initial exposure to beneficial microbes takes place in the placenta in utero (6). It has been found that the gut flora of infants develops for about 3 years to reach maturity (1)(3)(4)(12)(9). <br> | ||
<br>There are a variety of different factors that can alter the composition of the gut microbiome, including age, geography, diet, weight, and genetics. In children, maternal genes and health as well as diet and environment play a large role in the development and change of the microbiota. Research has been done to show the effects of cesarean section, natural birth, breast feeding, and formula feeding on the neonatal microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome makes important contributions to human health and the regulation of metabolism (1)(8)(12). <br> | <br>There are a variety of different factors that can alter the composition of the gut microbiome, including age, geography, diet, weight, and genetics. In children, maternal genes and health as well as diet and environment play a large role in the development and change of the microbiota. Research has been done to show the effects of cesarean section, natural birth, breast feeding, and formula feeding on the neonatal microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome makes important contributions to human health and the regulation of metabolism (1)(8)(12). <br> | ||
Revision as of 23:24, 9 December 2020
Introduction to the Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome is composed of trillions of microbes that form a protective barrier in the digestive system of humans as well as many other organisms. The gut microbiome, also known as gut flora or gut microbiota, is a part of the innate immune system that is essential for human health. The gut microbiome protects humans from pathogenic microbes and helps regulate the uptake of several important vitamins and other nutrients. Within this microbiome, there is an immense level of diversity of species. The majority of these species are bacteria, but various fungi and archaea have also been identified (1).
Because the gut microbiota is such an important mechanism of defense in humans, it begins developing as soon as a baby is born. While the majority of bacterial infiltration into the gut occurs just after birth, an initial exposure to beneficial microbes takes place in the placenta in utero (6). It has been found that the gut flora of infants develops for about 3 years to reach maturity (1)(3)(4)(12)(9).
There are a variety of different factors that can alter the composition of the gut microbiome, including age, geography, diet, weight, and genetics. In children, maternal genes and health as well as diet and environment play a large role in the development and change of the microbiota. Research has been done to show the effects of cesarean section, natural birth, breast feeding, and formula feeding on the neonatal microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome makes important contributions to human health and the regulation of metabolism (1)(8)(12).
At right is a sample image insertion. It works for any image uploaded anywhere to MicrobeWiki. The insertion code consists of:
Double brackets: [[
Filename: PHIL_1181_lores.jpg
Thumbnail status: |thumb|
Pixel size: |300px|
Placement on page: |right|
Legend/credit: Electron micrograph of the Ebola Zaire virus. This was the first photo ever taken of the virus, on 10/13/1976. By Dr. F.A. Murphy, now at U.C. Davis, then at the CDC.
Closed double brackets: ]]
Other examples:
Bold
Italic
Subscript: H2O
Superscript: Fe3+
What Factors Influence the Composition of the Gut Microbiome?
Diet has been found to be one of the largest influencers of the composition of the gut microbiome. Not only does food provide the nutrients necessary to support a robust microbiome, but the microbes that are contained in the food also contribute to the diversity of the microbiome. An unhealthy diet often degrades the microbial diversity of the gut, which leaves the affected person more susceptible to inflammation and infection (8)(12)(1). Differing diets require the expression of different genes because some foods must be broken down in unique ways. Unhealthy and unbalanced diets, such as ones that are high in sugar and fats, negatively affect the microbiome because of a lack of sustainable nutrients and lead to an increased risk of illness, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Malnourishment also results in a lack of proper nutrients to sustain a healthy and balanced microbial community in the gut (8). Processed foods, those that are high in calories, sugar, and fats, and lack fibers and important vitamins, degrade the gut flora and lead to increased chances of illness (12). Because diet is so influential in the configuration of the gut microbiome, any factors that affect diet come into play as well when discussing gut microbiota. Geography influences the genetics of a person and their access to different types of nutrients, which in turn alter the diversity of the microbiome. The regulation and expression of certain genes can lead to a more suitable environment for colonizing bacteria or can allow for the efficient breakdown of different compounds, which improves the conditions for the gut flora. Conversely, the suppression of a gene has the potential to create a disruptive environment for the gut flora (12). The same factors that alter the composition of the gut microbiome in adults also influence the contents of breast milk (2).
Prebiotics induce the growth of beneficial microbes, and probiotics are the helpful bacteria that promote a robust gut microbiome. Prebiotics allow the bacteria to thrive and diversify by providing nutrients.
The Gut Microbiome in Infants
Include some current research, with at least one image.
Sample citations: [1]
[2]
A citation code consists of a hyperlinked reference within "ref" begin and end codes.
Cesarean Section and Natural Birth
Include some current research, with a second image.
Breast Milk and Formula Milk
Overall text length should be at least 1,000 words (before counting references), with at least 2 images. Include at least 5 references under Reference section.
Conclusion
References
Edited by Sophia Knaysi, student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 116 Information in Living Systems, 2020, Kenyon College.
