Organic Lifestyle Magazine

New Study Shows Many Infants Are Lacking Important Gut Bacteria

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A new study from Stanford University and the University of Nebraska shows that many newborns are lacking important gut bacteria. Many newborns are missing beneficial bacteria to help them get all the nutritional benefits of breast milk.

C-sections, antibiotics, and formula milk are all said to be part of the problem. Researchers examined bacteria from hundreds of babies of different ages, locations, and diets (formula, breastfed, and mixed).

Related: Circumcision Linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Overall, this survey revealed that, on average, infants in the US have a low abundance of Bifidobacterium, a high abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria carrying high levels of ARGs, as well as limited capacity of metabolizing HMOs from breast milk. These findings were widespread in infants in the US, independent of location, age, and diet.

Metagenomic insights of the infant microbiome community structure and function across multiple sites in the United States

Along with breast milk digestion, this bacteria has been shown to be important for healthy immune system development.

Related: How to Eliminate IBS, IBD, Leaky Gut



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Sage Edwards

Sage Edwards

Sage is a writer and photographer for Organic Lifestyle Magazine. At 18 years old Sage weighed more than 320 pounds. After years of being in persistent pain at such a young age, she decided it was time for a change. She started cranberry lemonade, a salad a day, cut out refined sugar and processed foods, Sage lost 100 pounds in less than a year. Today she likes to start her mornings with a run and weight lifting, and a big salad. She enjoys cooking, working out, and learning about health and the way of the Organic Lifestyle.

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Sage Edwards

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