A review written by Drs. Forgie AJ, Drall KM, Bourque SL, Field CJ, Kozyrskyj AL, and Willing BP., published in BMC Med. 2020 May 12. Congratulations!
The impact of maternal and early life malnutrition on health: a diet-microbe perspective. Forgie AJ, et al. BMC Med. 2020 May 12
Abstract
Background: Early-life malnutrition may have long-lasting effects on microbe-host interactions that affect health and disease susceptibility later in life. Diet quality and quantity in conjunction with toxin and pathogen exposure are key contributors to microbe-host physiology and malnutrition. Consequently, it is important to consider both diets and microbe-induced pathologies as well as their interactions underlying malnutrition.
Main body: Gastrointestinal immunity and digestive function are vital to maintaining a symbiotic relationship between the host and microbiota. Childhood malnutrition can be impacted by numerous factors including gestational malnutrition, early-life antibiotic use, psychological stress, food allergy, hygiene, and exposure to other chemicals and pollutants. These factors can contribute to reoccurring environmental enteropathy, a condition characterized by the expansion of commensal pathobionts and environmental pathogens. Reoccurring intestinal dysfunction, particularly during the critical window of development, may be a consequence of diet-microbe interactions and may lead to life-long immune and metabolic programming and increased disease risk. We provide an overview of some key factors implicated in the progression of malnutrition (protein, fat, carbohydrate, iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12) and discuss the microbiota during early life that may contribute to health risk later in life.
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