Infants may be more likely to develop asthma when they have low levels of four “good” bacteria in the gut according to a study published in the latest issue of Science Translational Medicine.
The study also suggest that a probiotic (microorganisms that confer a health benefit when consumed) containing a mixture of the protective bugs may offer a solution to prevent asthma.
The protective bacteria may not be present in an infant due to exposure to antibiotics and even living in cities as opposed to farms.
An article on the study can be found here on the AAAS website:
http://www.aaas.org/news/missing-gut-bacteria-raises-infants-asthma-risk
Dr. Bret Finlay, PhD discussing the “World of Microbes” skip to 3:20 to hear Dr. Finlay’s comments of his findings about microbes and their relation to asthma