The gut microbiome plays a significant role in the development of allergies in children. Antibiotics that kill bacteria and poor nutrition can increase the risk of allergies. Dr. Stuart Turvey from the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute states that allergies are widespread among children in Canada. A team of researchers from Turvey’s institute and the University of British Columbia (UBC) investigated whether eczema, asthma, food allergies, and hay fever have a common cause. The researchers analyzed health data from 1,115 children from birth to five years old. They found that the gut microbiome of infants can be influenced by various factors, including diet and antibiotics, which can kill sensitive bacteria and increase the risk of allergies.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, is one of the first to examine the four different allergies together. Although they have different symptoms, the researchers found that they share many cellular errors. The researchers analyzed stool samples collected from the children at three months and one year old. They found bacteria associated with the development of one of the four allergies by the age of five. These bacteria are a feature of dysbiosis or an imbalance in the gut microbiome, which likely leads to a weakened intestinal wall and an increased inflammatory response in the gut.
The study shows a clear link between childhood allergies and the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome of an infant can be influenced by many factors, including diet and antibiotics. These medications can kill sensitive bacteria and increase the risk of allergies. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding why allergies occur and how they can be prevented. The findings could lead to new treatments for allergies and a better understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in human health.
