A CHILD’S Microbiome
It’s More Than Just a Gut Feeling
The gut microbiome has been a hot topic for quite some time now. But, did you know that the microbiome is actually more than just a fancy term?
Research suggests that the state of our health is a reflection of our gut microbiome’s health (1)! Many conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and ADHD can be linked back in some way to the microbiome (1). The microbiome can even inspire mood and behaviour, such as fear, aggression, creativity, and extroversion, by communicating with the brain (2).
Gut Microbiome. What is That?
A child’s gut serves as a home to trillions of microorganisms, from bacteria and fungi to archaea and viruses (3)! The majority of microbes coexist in harmony with their body (4). They have a whole community of these creepy crawlies taking refuge in their intestines. This dense and immensely diverse family of microbes is called the gut microbiome (3).
While we are still unsure of how exactly the microbiome affects our body’s functions, we know that it interacts with a child’s organs in many ways. It plays a role in regulating their defence against diseases, digestion, brain development, and gut integrity (5). It also produces beneficial nutrients by breaking down food components, such as oligosaccharides, that cannot be digested by the body (5).
How is the Microbiome Made?
The microbiome forms in the womb and is initially shaped by the mother’s microbiome, amniotic fluid, and placenta (4,6). In the first few years of life, a newborn’s microbiome is highly susceptible to various environmental factors (6). This time represents an especially vulnerable period for the microbiome as its basic framework is established through the baby’s experiences with the world (6). This core structure and composition helps set the tone for the child’s health status well into adulthood (6).
Beyond these early childhood years, the microbiome loses most of its malleability and becomes relatively more stable and resistant to external forces (6). So, infancy and toddlerhood present a key opportunity for us as caregivers and healthcare providers to care for and nurture our child’s microbiome by protecting it from stressors (6).
How Does the Gut Contact the Brain?
The brain and gut communicate with each other through the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems (7). The brain helps maintain the digestive functions of the gut, while the gut supports the brain through nutrients and by helping produce brain chemicals, such as serotonin (7). These brain chemicals ultimately impact several domains of a child’s health, including mood and social, explorative, and affective behaviour (7). Any disruptions in their production can promote the development of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, such as ADHD and autism (8).
Bottomline
We often feel frustrated and helpless with the amount of tantrums that toddlerhood comes packed with. But there is often more than what meets the eye with regards to mood and behaviour. Quick fixes, such as your child’s favourite toy or snack, can be handy, but getting to the root cause of the behaviour, such as an imbalance in the microbiome, may be more helpful in the long-term. While we cannot promise a solid cause-and-effect relationship between the microbiome and behaviour, this is definitely an area that can be explored when you’re faced with challenging behaviour.
So, if you are feeling overwhelmed and are in need for some sense of control, stay tuned for our next post which explores the factors that shape the microbiome. You will also learn about some strategies to support your child’s gut.
Remember,
a happy gut = a happy child =
a happier you!
Until then, check out this list of 5 gut health-promoting and kid friendly food options:
Yogurt parfait
Whole grain falafel wrap
Apple-banana-nut oatmeal
Taco bowl
Hummus with carrot sticks
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References:
Mohammadkhah AI, Simpson EB, Patterson SG, Ferguson JF. Development of the gut microbiome in children and lifetime implications for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Children (Basel). 2018;5(12):160. https://doi.org/10.3390/children5120160.
Christian LM, Galley JD, Hade EM, Schoppe-Sullivan S, Dush CK, Bailey MT. Gut microbiome composition is associated with temperament in early childhood. Brain Behav Immun. 2015;45:118-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2014.10.018.
Dinan TG, Cryan JF. The impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour: implications for psychiatry. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2015;18(6):552-8. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000000221.
Cresci GAM, Izzo K. Chapter 4 - Gut Microbiome [Internet]. In: Corrigan ML, Roberts K, Steiger E, editors. Adult Short Bowel Syndrome: Nutritional, Medical, and Surgical Management. Elsevier Science & Technology; 2018. p. 45-54.
Venegas DP, De la Fuente MK, Landskron G, González MJ, Quera R, Dijkstra G, et al. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-mediated gut epithelial and immune regulation and its relevance for inflammatory bowel disease. Front. Immunol. 2019;10(277):1486. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2019.00277.
Ihekweazu FD, Versalovic J. Development of the pediatric gut microbiome: Impact on health and disease. Am J Med Sci. 2018;356(5):413-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjms.2018.08.005.
Mohajeri MH, La Fata G, Steinert RE, Weber P. Relationship between the gut microbiome and brain function. Nutr Rev. 2018;76(7):481-96. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuy009.
Aarts E, Ederveen THA, Naaijen J, Zwiers MP, Boekhorst J, Timmerman HM, et al. Gut microbiome in ADHD and its relation to neural reward anticipation. PLoS One. 2017;12(9): e0183509. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183509.
Codagnone MG, Stanton C, O’Mahony SM, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. Microbiota and neurodevelopmental trajectories: Role of maternal and early-life nutrition. Ann Nutr Metab. 2019;74(suppl 2):16–27. https://doi.org/10.1159/000499144.
