Gut immunity

A recent study demonstrates the advantages of breastfeeding in lowering the incidence of paediatric asthma after antibiotic treatment. According to the study, breastfed infants had a threefold reduced chance of developing asthma after antibiotic treatment than those who were not. Fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), one of the bioactive components of breastmilk, were positively linked to the enrichment of Bifidobacter infantis (B. infantis) in the infant gut microbiota. This was associated with a lower incidence of asthma.

During the course of this interview Dr. Vicario will illustrate the development of the immune system starting in the gut and discuss the impact of various bioactive nutrients on immune development.