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Shaping the Gut Microbiota by Breastfeeding: The Gateway to Allergy Prevention?

Lieke W J van den Elsen1, Johan Garssen2, Remy Burcelin3

  • 1School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|March 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding significantly shapes the infant gut microbiota, influencing long-term allergy risk. This review explores how breast milk components promote a healthy gut microbiome for allergy prevention in newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in immune system development and is linked to allergic diseases.
  • Early life, particularly the "window of opportunity," is critical for establishing long-term gut microbiota composition and function.
  • Neonatal gut microbiota and metabolism are increasingly recognized as key factors in allergic disease risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence on how breastfeeding influences the neonate's gut microbiota.
  • To highlight the potential of breastfeeding as a strategy for preventing allergies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating the impact of breastfeeding on infant gut microbiota.
  • Analysis of the role of breast milk components (e.g., human milk oligosaccharides, secretory IgA) in modulating the gut microbiome.
  • Examination of the association between breastfeeding and allergic disease outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Breastfeeding directly and indirectly shapes the composition and metabolism of the neonatal gut microbiota.
  • Specific breast milk factors like human milk oligosaccharides and secretory IgA promote beneficial bacteria and immune maturation.
  • Evidence suggests a protective effect of breastfeeding against the development of allergies.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding is a powerful modulator of the early-life gut microbiota.
  • Breast milk's composition offers a promising avenue for allergy prevention strategies.
  • Further research into breastfeeding's microbiome-modulating effects can optimize allergy prevention protocols.

Keywords:
allergybreastmilkgut microbiotaneonateprevention

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