The first 1000 days of life lay the foundation of later health

From the moment we are conceived until we are 1000 days old, nutrition and the microbiome of the gut play an essential role in laying the foundation of our health during infancy and childhood and in later life through adulthood. The roadmap for dealing with environmental challenges is designed in early life. This may help a person stay healthy or lead to disease.

Our gut microbiota ( bacteria) and other microbes train the immune system and help us obtain energy and nutrients from food. The newborn must appropriately colonize the intestine to accomplish reactions that are necessary to recognize harmful  vs non-harmful stimuli. The infant's gastrointestinal tract and immune system learns tolerance to food substances that aren’t harmful. The gut learns to distinguish between good and necessary foods and nutrition from harmful infectious agents or chemicals.

Bacteria from the mother start colonizing the newborn during vaginal birth. Breastfeeding provides a bolus of healthy bacteria and antibodies against disease with each feeding. Weaning foods and dietary habits in addition to breast feeding, contribute the most to establishing a healthy bacterial community. Plant based foods supply the prebiotic or dietary fiber necessary for the healthy bacteria to thrive.

Repeated courses of antibiotics given during the first years of life affect children's gut microbiome leading to inflammatory conditions such as allergies, asthma, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Antibiotics profoundly affect gut bacteria. Since antibiotic use from birth through the first years of life has such a severe impact on the development of gut microbiota, a cautious approach is needed in prescribing antibiotics for minor and non life threatening illnesses. 

An inflammatory state may begin, if in the first 1000 days inappropriate bacteria colonize the intestines. Causes of inappropriate colonization are harmful stimuli such as antibiotics and poor quality food like the standard fast food diet. This destroys the healthy bacteria or creates an environment in which they do not thrive.  A healthy microbiome is maintained with both probiotics (healthy bacteria) and prebiotics.

The ideal situation. for an expected parent would be as follows: A mother at the time of conception should be healthy and partake in a plant based diet and regular exercise with good lifestyle choices. Ideally during gestation, she should gain weight appropriately, continue to exercise, eat a healthy plant-based diet full of antioxidants and fiber getting plenty of protein and healthy fats, and be free of infections which require the use of antibiotics. This results in a balanced intestinal colonization. When a baby is born by natural means, a large bolus of colonizing bacteria comes from the ingestion of the mothers intestinal and vaginal organisms. After birth, an infant rapidly colonizes its intestines under the influence of breastmilk,  given exclusively for the first four to six months of life. Breastmilk contains bacteria from the mothers intestines and nutrients that stimulate proliferation of health promoting bacteria  (probiotics). Ideally an infant and toddler should be free of infections requiring antibiotics, which interfere with natural bacterial colonization process.

If obstacles come up that create problems adhering to this plan, deal with them and adjust as you must. Sometimes delivery does not go as planned. Sometimes antibiotics are required. There are times in life that we get derailed. But get back on track and aim for as much of the ideal  as possible. Avoid the blame and shame cycle. Forgive yourself and your body, to focus on what you can do and move forward. The goal is to be armed with the knowledge of the ideals, not to create distress for not attaining them. 

Aim for the ideal. Breast feed whenever possible. Provide whole foods full of natural fiber and nutrients. Enjoy nature and movement. If antibiotics are necessary, probiotics may help recolonize the good bacteria harmed by the course of antibiotics. Avoid foods treated with pesticides or given antibiotics. Avoid any unnecessary medications especially ones that change the PH of the gut or affect the good bacteria. 

Gut health starts at birth. Gut health has been shown to impact both physical and mental well being. The first 1000 days sets the stage for later overall health.