By ECC Committee
Probiotics, are “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. (Hill, C. et al.,2014). These minuscule and invisible microorganisms to the naked eye, can play a significant role in human health throughout one’s lifetime. Have you ever wondered how these tiny creatures, smaller than the eye can see, exert a profound influence on various aspects of our well-being? The development of a stable and diverse gut microbiota in the human intestine is essential for lifelong health. Considering the close connection between the gut microbiome, beyond its role in maintaining intestinal conditions, the diverse gut microbiota is vital for the overall health of the human body, such as maintaining healthy immunological and metabolic systems. [Nagpal R, 2018]
Among the many beneficial microorganisms, Bifidobacterium ssp. stand out as one of the key players in the human gut, especially in children and infants. A study involving 367 healthy Japanese volunteers spanning different age groups revealed that the Actinobacteria phylum, which includes genes related to the bifidobacteria genus, dominates nearly half of the gut microbiome in infants before weaning. However, this dominance declines after weaning and remains relatively stable during adulthood. Yet, as individuals age, there is another decline in the bifidobacteria population. [Odamaki, 2016] Another study suggests that this decrease in bifidobacteria may be linked to infections and diseases, such as diabetes in older individuals. [Arboleya S, 2016] Those facts suggest not only that the composition of human gut microbiota changes with age, but that alterations in this composition may influence human health.
This underscores the importance of nurturing a healthy gut microbiome, with Bifidobacterium ssp. playing a vital role in ensuring human health throughout life. The most opportune time to establish this healthy microbiome is during infancy. Bifidobacterium ssp. are among the earliest colonizers of an infant’s gut and is particularly abundant in the gut of breastfed infants. In fact, bifidobacteria quickly becomes the dominant bacteria and persists throughout infancy. The early colonization of the gut microbiota is linked to the method of childbirth, as studies have shown that children born naturally have higher levels of bifidobacteria compared to those born via C-section. [Wong CB, 2020]
Nutrition and Microbial Stimulation During Infancy
The gold standard reference nutrition required for an infant’s growth is a mother’s breast milk. Although some mothers are unable produce breastmilk or breastfeed for a myriad of reasons, much can be understood about infant growth and development from breastfeeding. The Bifidobacterium ssp., especially infant-type human residential bifidobacterial (HRB) species, have a significant role in shaping specific colonies during infancy. This is attributed to their compatibility with breast milk, particularly their high capacity to utilize human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and their resistance to the antimicrobial component lysozyme. These inherent characteristics contribute to the early colonization of bifidobacteria and help for an infant’s healthy growth. [Wong CB, 2020]
Maternal supplementation with Bifidobacterium ssp. has impact on infant
A study involving 130 biological mothers who received thirty (30) days of prenatal supplementation of a Bifidobacterium breve strain and a Bifidobacterium longum strain one month prior to delivery and continued this supplement regime with their infants for six (6) months after delivery showed significant responses to the potential risk of developing eczema and atopic dermatitis (AD) during the first eighteen (18) months of life. These findings suggest that specific bifidobacteria may modulate both maternal and neonatal gut microbiota, potentially helping a health allergy response in infants as they grow older. [Enomoto, 2014]
Key Takeaways
In conclusion, probiotics, particularly bifidobacteria, have a significant positive impact on human health from infancy, ensuring a solid foundation beyond and into old age. Establishing a healthy gut microbiome during infancy through breastfeeding or evidence-based alternatives is a foundational step in ensuring lifelong well-being. This emphasizes the importance of understanding and harnessing the power of these tiny microorganisms for our long-term health from the beginning of life.
References
Hill C, Guarner F, Reid G, Gibson GR, Merenstein DJ, Pot B, Morelli L, Canani RB, Flint HJ, Salminen S, Calder PC, Sanders ME. Expert consensus document. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Aug;11(8):506-14. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66. Epub 2014 Jun 10. PMID: 24912386.
Nagpal R, Mainali R, Ahmadi S, Wang S, Singh R, Kavanagh K, Kitzman DW, Kushugulova A, Marotta F, Yadav H. Gut microbiome and aging: Physiological and mechanistic insights. Nutr Healthy Aging. 2018 Jun 15;4(4):267-285. doi: 10.3233/NHA-170030. PMID: 29951588; PMCID: PMC6004897.
Odamaki, T., Kato, K., Sugahara, H. et al. Age-related changes in gut microbiota composition from newborn to centenarian: a cross-sectional study. BMC Microbiol 16, 90 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-016-0708-5
Arboleya S, Watkins C, Stanton C, Ross RP. Gut Bifidobacteria Populations in Human Health and Aging. Front Microbiol. 2016 Aug 19;7:1204. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01204. PMID: 27594848; PMCID: PMC4990546.
Wong CB, Odamaki T, Xiao JZ. Insights into the reason of Human-Residential Bifidobacteria (HRB) being the natural inhabitants of the human gut and their potential health-promoting benefits. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2020 May 1;44(3):369-385. doi: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa010. PMID: 32319522; PMCID: PMC7326374.
Enomoto, T., Sowa, M., Nishimori, K., Shimazu, S., Yoshida, A., Yamada, K., … & Odamaki, T. (2014). Effects of bifidobacterial supplementation to pregnant women and infants in the prevention of allergy development in infants and on fecal microbiota. Allergology International, 63(4), 575-585.