2023-08-31 09:42:49
Miguel Ignacio López Ramiro, doctor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, professor of Microbiology and specialist in probiotics, analyzes in this article the importance of taking care of the microbiota, especially in children.
Microbiota image. Facilitated by the Ibero-American Nutrition Foundation
Dr. Miguel Ignacio López Ramiro is also an Emergency and Hospital Emergency doctor in the Andalusian Health Service, a graduate in Pharmacy and a professor in the Master’s Degree in Medicine and Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Surgery at the Complutense University of Madrid. The importance of taking care of the microbiota is the subject that he analyzes in this article.
The importance of taking care of the microbiota
Doctor Miguel Ignacio López Ramiro
The microbiota is the set of microorganisms that coexist in humans, especially in the digestive system, and that, instead of generating disease, participate in multiple processes and functions of the organism.
It begins to develop in a person from the moment the newborn leaves the mother’s womb. That is to say, the baby born by vaginal delivery has a first contact with those bacteria present in the birth canal, while the one born by caesarean section is first exposed to the bacteria on the mother’s skin.
This microbiota will evolve during the first years of life, being fundamental in the integral health of both the child and the adult, especially in the first 1000 days of life.
More and more studies affect the relationship of the microbiota with the development of diseases in adulthood.
In children, an altered microbiota can manifest with digestive symptoms, such as abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea… while in adulthood it can be linked, in addition to digestive discomfort, with the development of allergies or food intolerances, autoimmune diseases, being overweight. or insomnia, as well as other problems that we would not initially associate with the digestive system.
Monitor and care for the microbiota from childhood
Taking proper care of children’s microbiota is essential to promote the health and well-being of children. The way to maintain a healthy microbiota is based on the following measures:
Breastfeeding: Breast milk is the ideal food for babies, as it contains prebiotic components that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the baby’s intestine.
Balanced diet: A balanced diet rich in natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables and fermented foods, promotes the diversity of the microbiota and the growth of healthy bacteria.
Avoid overuse of antibiotics: Antibiotics can alter the intestinal microbiota, so it is important to use them only when really necessary and under proper medical supervision.
Encourage physical activity: Regular exercise helps maintain a strong immune system and contributes to a healthy microbiota in children.
Avoid excess hygiene: Overexposure to cleaning products and disinfectants can harm the microbiota. It is important to maintain adequate hygiene but that allows us to continue interacting with other external microorganisms, a source of a healthy and varied microbiota.
Probiotics, useful allies
Probiotics can be useful allies in situations of ‘dysbiosis’ (alterations in the microbiota), either due to illness, poor diet, the use of antibiotics… They are non-toxic or harmful microorganisms that, used properly, can help restore the balance of the microbiota. There are laboratories that produce this type of complementary food of natural origin and become safe and effective options for children of all ages.
If it is considered necessary to use probiotics in children, it is essential to seek medical guidance. Your pediatrician can recommend the right strain and dosage based on your child’s specific needs.
Doctor Miguel Ignacio López Ramiro/Photo provided
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