The Microbiome and How It Can Cause Childhood Obesity
“A healthy microbiome is a healthy body!”“Feed your gut with healthy bacteria.”, “Your microbiome is a flourishing community of its own.” With this latest health craze taking over the western world, it is no surprise that many people have heard these phrases being thrown around. Based on the recent influx of studies surrounding the microbiome, it is no secret that the state of our microbiome plays a vital role in our well-being. The microbiome, home to 10 to 100 trillion symbiotic microbial cells, is a mini ecosystem located within the human body.
The cohort of bacteria that resides in the intestines are commonly known as the gut microbiome. The state of the gut microbiome, in particular, has repeatedly been correlated to the overall health of the body. For example, when an infant first begins to consume breast milk, bacteria that functions to digest and process breast milk begins to form in the infant’s microbiome. As the infant grows and develops into an adult, what they eat will determine the types of bacteria found in their microbiome: bacteria that digest fiber, bacteria that communicate with immune cells, bacteria that communicate with the central nervous system, and much more.This is how your lifestyle, state of your microbiome, and your health are all directly related.
The cohort of bacteria that resides in the intestines are commonly known as the gut microbiome. The state of the gut microbiome, in particular, has repeatedly been correlated to the overall health of the body. For example, when an infant first begins to consume breast milk, bacteria that functions to digest and process breast milk begins to form in the infant’s microbiome. As the infant grows and develops into an adult, what they eat will determine the types of bacteria found in their microbiome: bacteria that digest fiber, bacteria that communicate with immune cells, bacteria that communicate with the central nervous system, and much more.This is how your lifestyle, state of your microbiome, and your health are all directly related.
Foods rich in healthy gut bacteria include yogurt and fermented foods
Image Source: marla66
In fact, recent research from Norway states that the condition of your microbiome during your first two years of life can predict future body mass index at age 12 regardless of lifestyle. For instance, antibiotic use of the mother and cesarean section can alter the microbiome of an infant, as well as different early exposures faced by the infant like a preterm pregnancy, whether or not the infant has a twin, being vaginally born, and other scenarios.
Childhood obesity is a widespread epidemic, and based on this study, can be caused by miscare of an infant during birth and throughout their early life, altering their microbiome. However, it is important to keep in mind that the microbiome can easily be changed, depending on what you consume, the chemicals you are exposed to, and if you are active. Some examples of foods rich in healthy gut bacteria include yogurt and fermented foods, like kimchi and sauerkraut. Thus, hope is not lost for young children who may not have had the best luck when being brought into the world. Childhood obesity is preventable, it just takes a healthy microbiome.
Childhood obesity is a widespread epidemic, and based on this study, can be caused by miscare of an infant during birth and throughout their early life, altering their microbiome. However, it is important to keep in mind that the microbiome can easily be changed, depending on what you consume, the chemicals you are exposed to, and if you are active. Some examples of foods rich in healthy gut bacteria include yogurt and fermented foods, like kimchi and sauerkraut. Thus, hope is not lost for young children who may not have had the best luck when being brought into the world. Childhood obesity is preventable, it just takes a healthy microbiome.
Featured Image Source: geralt
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