An article out today suggests that an infant’s gut may affect the onset of of allergies and asthma. The study suggests that natural birth combined with breast-feeding enhances the bacteria in an infants gut. These factors help reduce the onset of allergies and asthma. However, it suggests prenatal vitamins, a cesarean delivery and formula feeding can increase the risk of allergies and asthma.
Furthermore, a newborns gut bacteria can have a lifelong affect on their immune system. The more this bacteria is disrupted early on, the more likely this will alter the child’s defense against disease.
Also, the study points out that infants with the lowest levels of critical gut bacteria were mostly boys. These same boys were more likely to show signs of asthma by the time they reached four years of age.
To read more about this study, click here.
