Month: October 2018

Brainstorm:

I have been most surprised by the degree of influence that microbes have on human health. A person’s microbiome seems to be an extension of her/himself that is comparable to an entire universe. The microbiome is so complex and so far from being well understood which is what makes it so fascinating to me. I enjoyed learning about the gut microbiome and the many ways in which it can be altered, but my favorite topic so far has been microbial changes during pregnancy/the ways the microbial community changes when a baby is first born and begins to develop.

My favorite topic so far has been microbial changes during pregnancy/the ways the microbial community changes when a baby is first born and begins to develop. I am curious to learn more about the specific changes that occur during pregnancy and how the microbiome can be altered in positive/negative ways. Additionally, I am curious to explore how much these changes impact the developing fetus. I understand that the placenta isn’t well understood but I would like to read the research that has been done on it so far. Lastly, I would like to learn more about the specific microbiome changes that occur during the first stages of infant development and how those are altered by varying factors.

Reflection:

I would like to base my final paper off of microbial changes during pregnancy/the impact on the mother and fetus and during the first stages of development after birth. I think that there is a lot to learn here and many contributing factors to explore. To prepare for my paper, I can research the topic more and start to form an outline based on the research data I find.  

The microbial community of the newborn could be altered by many different factors. For instance, diet will have a big effect on microbial colonization (a healthy, diverse diet during pregnancy would have a positive impact on the baby while a poor diet would have a negative impact and breast milk vs. formula will also affect the newborn). Additionally, environmental exposures could colonize the microbiome as well as illnesses and treatments such as the use of antibiotics (negative impact). The mother’s use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may also have a negative effect on the infant’s microbial community.

In the past I took antibiotics freely. When I was younger I experienced frequent ear infections for which my pediatrician always prescribed antibiotics as a quick fix. As I grew older I would take antibiotics whenever I caught a bacterial infection because again, my doctor prescribed them and I didn’t know enough to question this decision. In high school I began to experience significant hearing loss which my audiologist believes is the result of taking so many antibiotics as an infant. At that point I did begin to question the harmful effects of these drugs and this class has taught me even more. In the future I would prefer to look into alternative medications before taking a round of antibiotics again.

I think many people make food choices based on popular health “fads” (ex: claims that a low carb/high protein diet leads to instant weight loss) without regarding the impact on their microbial communities. Health fads are often very damaging to microbial communities because they generally don’t promote eating a well-balanced, diverse group of foods. For instance, following a zero carb diet restricts an individual from eating healthy food groups such a fruits and vegetables. I would assume that diets such as these can have detrimental effects on the gut microflora which need diverse foods to thrive.

Lawrence Brandt, Professor of Medicine and Surgery Albert Einstein at College of Medicine in his research article titled “Fecal Transplantation for the Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection” (2012) concludes that fecal transplant therapy is a promising treatment option that has had excellent outcomes thus far. (2) Brandt provides a qualitative analysis summary of information gathered from previous studies involving fecal transplant therapy. (3) The purpose of this analysis is to emphasize the fact that fecal transplant therapy has been extremely successful in the past and to encourage its use in place of harmful antibiotics. (4) Brandt establishes a relationship with medical professionals exploring the use of fecal transplant therapy as well as patients who are potential candidates.

Individuals can alter their gut microbial communities in both positive and negative ways through a variety of different behaviors. For instance:

1. Antibiotic use: the use of antibiotics may increase the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pathogens, leading to detrimental effects on overall health.
2. A diverse diet: maintaining a diverse, holistic diet allows for more types of bacteria to thrive thereby affecting an individual’s health in a positive way.
3. Drinking too much alcohol: over-drinking can decrease the number of “good” bacteria in the gut which has a detrimental effect on an individual’s overall health.
4. Physical activity: engaging in physical activity often leads to a more diverse gut flora and beneficial effects on overall metabolism.
5. Sufficient sleep: getting enough rest can increase “good” bacteria, and have a beneficial effect on an individual’s health.