Taking care of our microbiota is essential. It is the set of microorganisms, mainly bacteria, but also viruses and fungi that colonize different areas of our body, mainly in the gastrointestinal, oropharyngeal and genital mucosa, but also in the skin. It differs from the microbiome, which is the set of microorganisms that live with us with their genes, enzymes and metabolites that they produce.
“The microbiota is a very complex system of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in our body and of which we currently only know a small part. It is made up of more than 100 billion bacteria in the digestive tract alone and is considered by science to be just another organ in the body,” says Dr. Isidre Casals, pediatrician and coordinator of the Pediatrics Unit of the Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya, in Sant Cugat (Barcelona).
In some studies it has been seen that the fetus is already colonized by flora from the uterine environment and has its own microbiota. The contact of the newborn with the flora of the mother’s vaginal tract or if born by cesarean section with the flora of the mother’s skin is decisive for the evolution and development of the infant’s microbiota.
“The microbiota develops over the years, depending on the factors that have influenced it. A relevant factor in the infant microbiota is the diet that the infant receives, since we will have some predominant species if he drinks breast milk, and others if he ingests artificial milk,” says this specialist.
A very complex system
The microbiota is made up of more than 100 billion bacteria and is considered by science as an organ of the body.
In fact, it indicates that the beneficial species that predominate in breastfed children are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. “This is the main reason why many formula milks are supplemented with probiotics. After weaning, the child’s intestinal flora changes and it is important to maintain an adequate diet to achieve microbiota balance,” warns the pediatrician.
Doctor Isidre Casals, pediatrician and coordinator of the Pediatrics Unit of the Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya, in Sant Cugat (Barcelona).
Why is it so important to take care of children’s microbiota?
Specifically, the expert from the Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya highlights that it is important to take care of the microbiota of our little ones because it plays very important functions in the body, the best known being those that occur at the level of the gastrointestinal tract, given that, first of all, Secondly, they influence the food digestion system.
“The microbiota also plays an essential role in maintaining the immune system and in the fight against infections, so common in minors, since it acts as a barrier against possible pathogens,” highlights this specialist from the Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya. .
In addition, the bacteria of the microbiota influence the regulation of metabolism, the energy balance of the body, and the production of vitamins essential for health such as vitamin K and B 12. “It also regulates the production of intestinal neurotransmitters, peptides , and insulin, which are essential for vital functions,” Casals emphasizes.
Maintains good health
“It has been seen that a balanced microbiota contributes to the maintenance of good health. On the other hand, its imbalances can influence the proliferation or suppression of certain strains and favor alterations in homeostasis, which are the basis of a worse state of health. These microbiota imbalances are called ‘dysbiosis’; On the other hand, the balanced state of the microbiota is ‘eubiosis’. There are certain species of bacteria such as Lactobacillus, which have been related to the state of eubiosis, and therefore to a better state of health,” explains this pediatrician.
In this sense, remember that it has also been seen that lifestyle (level of stress, sedentary lifestyle, environmental pollution) and diet influence the development of the microbiota: “The microbiota is a living system that evolves and changes over time. throughout life and, furthermore, it is different for each individual because it will be influenced by different factors in each case.”
Influence of various factors
It is a living system that evolves and changes throughout life and, furthermore, is different for each individual.
Here he highlights that, in recent years, some studies have appeared that have detected a certain composition of microbiota species in children with obesity, which is different from that of children with normal weight.
“We do not know what causes this difference, but it could be related, for example, to the predominance of bacteria that degrade polysaccharides in food and, therefore, obtain more energy in the form of calories, or be due to alterations in the regulation of fat storage in the liver and in adipose tissue,” adds this pediatrician from the Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya.
Taking care of the microbiota to cure diseases?
Regarding whether it is possible to influence the minor’s microbiota to improve some medical pathologies, Dr. Casals emphasizes that “techniques have not yet been developed to manipulate the microbiota in an effective way”, although today the administration of certain strains is used. bacteria to treat some pathologies or health problems in children, such as infant colic or gastroenteritis.
Scientific clues
A balanced microbiota can contribute to lower exposure
to infections, especially viral
“In pediatrics we use probiotics in infant colic, in gastroenteritis, in certain immunoallergic pathologies such as atopic dermatitis and sometimes also to prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics. We must point out that not all probiotics are suitable for everything, but there are some strains with a solid scientific basis for use in certain pathologies, such as Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG in gastroenteritis, or Lactobacillus Reuteri in infant colic,” determines this expert. .
Here it is stated that the imbalance of the microbiota has been related to the development of allergies, as well as asthma and other pathologies, immunoallergic pathologies such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. “There are also indications that a balanced microbiota can contribute to less exposure to infections, especially viral infections,” adds this pediatrician.
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