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Microbes Colonize Body

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The moment we enter the world, microbes colonize our bodies. And depending on how and where we're born, we're colonized by different types of microbes. Babies pick up microbes not only from their mothers, but also from the environment. Babies delivered vaginally are colonized by different species of microbes from babies delivered by surgery. These very first differences - vaginal vs. C-section birth - are still measurable months and possibly even years after birth. In fact, studies show that delivery by C-section, in comparison to vagina birth, is associated with an increased risk of allergies, ADHD, autism, celiac disease, obesity, and type 1 diabetes. Other early infant experiences such as whether the infant is breast-fed, or treated with antibiotics, can also have an impact to the infant’s gut flora. A 2013 study published by the …show more content…
Neutralize toxins found in the food.
Influence the immune system and serve as a line of defense against offending materials or organisms that make it down into the intestine.
Manufacture chemicals and vitamins that are important for brain health.
Protect the integrity of the intestinal lining to prevent leaky gut, which appears to be at the root of most autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders.
Help the body handle stress through the flora’s effects on the endocrine system.
Assist the body in getting a good night’s sleep.
Help control the body’s inflammatory pathways, which affect risk for virtually all chronic diseases.
Scientists are now learning that the intimate relationship between the gut and brain is actually bidirectional. Some of the gut’s microbes can actually communicate with the brain through nerve fibers connecting the intestinal and the central nervous systems. The neurons in the gut are so innumerable that scientists are calling the totality of them “the second brain.”
As we grow up, we are exposed to three damaging forces that could make our microbiomes go

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