Gut microbiota is also known as gut flora which is
microbe population living in intestine. There are more than trillions of
microorganisms with at least 1000 different species. Few gut microbiota is
common to most people and the rest is specific to individual. Diet has shown to affect the composition of gut microbiota composition. Different
people have different composition of gut microbiota due to different diet.
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| Children. Retrieved from Utusan Malaysia, 2011 |
Digestive system is a vital system that absorbs
nutrients from food to entire body. Here, the process of digestion occurs to
allow the breakdown of food into smallest part in order to let the food to be
absorbed. Microbiota gives natural physiological functions to human health which
helps to digest certain food that the stomach and intestine have not been able
to digest. It also produces vitamins B and K. For immunity, it protects the
intestine from any harmful microorganism with a barrier effect.
Gut microbiota starts to develop during birth. From the third day of birth, the microorganism composition in intestine is dependent on how the infant is fed. Breast milk from mothers consist of good bacteria, Bifidobacteria, which acts as probiotic to balance intestinal flora and help to develop healthy immune system in infants. At the average age of 3, the gut microbiota becomes stable and almost similar to that of adults. Lactobacillus is another species of good intestinal bacteria.
Infants are encouraged to get breast milk. Breast milk should in a good quality in other to develop the best intestinal environment with better immune system. The quality is dependent on mother’s health, inclusive weight, gut microbiota status and nutritional status. Breast milk also contains antimicrobial agents and oligosaccharides that enhance the future bacteria in children's intestine.
Healthy gut microbiota in early life is related to health later in life. Probiotics or living microorganisms will confer a health benefit to the gut and prevent the development of intestinal infections. Probiotics can be found mainly in yogurt and other cultured drinks.Other examples are sauerkraut, dark chocolate, miso soup, pickles, tempeh and kimchi.
The consumption of non-digestible carbohydrate also can give beneficial effects to infants’ gut. The non-digestible carbohydrate will reach the colon and be fermented by gut microbiota. It is commonly be found in fruits and vegetables. Wheat bran is also considered as non-digestible carbohydrate and can be found in wholewheat breads. Add prebiotics in the daily meal will help the development of good gut microbiota, stimulate the production of short chain fatty acids, reducing the pH value and against undesired pathogens.
Healthy microbiota provides many benefits include balance in gut microbiota, enhanced energy efficiency, enhanced macrophage activity and phagocytosis, strengthen gut barrier functions, induce the production of mucin, stimulation of gut humoral immunity (IgA) and lowering the risk of reinfection.
Gut microbiota starts to develop during birth. From the third day of birth, the microorganism composition in intestine is dependent on how the infant is fed. Breast milk from mothers consist of good bacteria, Bifidobacteria, which acts as probiotic to balance intestinal flora and help to develop healthy immune system in infants. At the average age of 3, the gut microbiota becomes stable and almost similar to that of adults. Lactobacillus is another species of good intestinal bacteria.
Infants are encouraged to get breast milk. Breast milk should in a good quality in other to develop the best intestinal environment with better immune system. The quality is dependent on mother’s health, inclusive weight, gut microbiota status and nutritional status. Breast milk also contains antimicrobial agents and oligosaccharides that enhance the future bacteria in children's intestine.
Healthy gut microbiota in early life is related to health later in life. Probiotics or living microorganisms will confer a health benefit to the gut and prevent the development of intestinal infections. Probiotics can be found mainly in yogurt and other cultured drinks.Other examples are sauerkraut, dark chocolate, miso soup, pickles, tempeh and kimchi.
The consumption of non-digestible carbohydrate also can give beneficial effects to infants’ gut. The non-digestible carbohydrate will reach the colon and be fermented by gut microbiota. It is commonly be found in fruits and vegetables. Wheat bran is also considered as non-digestible carbohydrate and can be found in wholewheat breads. Add prebiotics in the daily meal will help the development of good gut microbiota, stimulate the production of short chain fatty acids, reducing the pH value and against undesired pathogens.
Healthy microbiota provides many benefits include balance in gut microbiota, enhanced energy efficiency, enhanced macrophage activity and phagocytosis, strengthen gut barrier functions, induce the production of mucin, stimulation of gut humoral immunity (IgA) and lowering the risk of reinfection.
References:
Erika Isolauri. (2012). Development of Healthy Gut Microbiota Early in Life. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Karen P. Scott et al. (2013). The Influence of Diet on the Gut Microbiota. Pharmacological Research.
Erika Isolauri. (2012). Development of Healthy Gut Microbiota Early in Life. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Karen P. Scott et al. (2013). The Influence of Diet on the Gut Microbiota. Pharmacological Research.
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