The effect of antibiotics on the microbiome is well established and the micobiome’s role in Type 1 diabetes continues to strengthen.
Newborns inherit their intestinal microbes at birth and from their early environment. Inheriting the “right” microbes is believed to “educate” the founding immune cells, preventing them from attacking the host’s cells. In recent decades children’s exposure to antibiotics has increased significantly with children in the US now averaging some 3 courses in their first 2 years. Correspondingly the number of patients with Type 1 diabetes has doubled, quotes the article.
These courses of antibiotics early in life can have a permanent effect and lead to an abnormal microbiome. Studies have shown that children who later developed Type 1 diabetes are more likely to have this abnormal gut microbiome. Furthermore, the findings of this NYU mouse model “support the hypothesis that, by diminishing particular beneficial bacteria, one early exposure to antibiotics permits the emergence of other species that change immunological development and worsen pancreatic damage.”
The science of the microbiome is only in it’s infancy but the potential for positively impacting human health is immense!
Whatever sector of the Food or Beverage industry you’re in this is most definitely an area to watch.
What new and innovative products could you develop? Looks like a whole new industry to me!
