A healthy microbiome depends on the immune system. Boosting the immune system in children is possible through the supervision of lifestyle at an early age. The microbiome is a bunch of microbes in the intestines weighing about 3 pounds. It is the same weight as the brain. Humans have nearly ten thousand microbial species. There are at least one hundred microbes for one human gene. Bacteria are responsible for biochemical activities such as digesting carbohydrates from food or producing vitamins.

How are kids and microbiomes connected?

The period from birth to three years is busy for children’s microbiome. For three years, the child’s microbiome has been continuously changing. By age three, the microbiome will have the same behavior pattern as adults.

Adults have stability and bounce back after challenging the microbiome. The first three years are essential in the toddler’s life — all interactions with food, people, and the environment influence the quality and behavior of the microbiome.

More dirt in a child’s life, more health for the microbiome and immune system

Children who play outside, interact with animals, and have many siblings or friends around develop a robust microbiome and immune system. How does it happen?

It is the same as the training. The child is exposed to various unharmful bacteria, which train the immune system to adjust and deal with multiple intruders.

Our ancestors did not wash their hands with sanitizer or dishes in machines. They hunted, planted, and cultivated soil touching it whenever it was needed.

Good and bad bacteria

Good and bad bacteria are expressions of lifestyle. Bacteria can change behavior according to the environment, food, and immune system. Usually, a healthy immune system keeps bacteria in the right places.  The authors of the book Dirt Is Good said that

some of the bacteria that are considered to be beneficial to your gut when stressed, turn to the dark side and infect your body’s tissues.

Bacteria behave in an excellent or harmful way depending on circumstances. For example, E.Coli usually sits quietly in the gut, but when food changes, stress, or toxins bother us, E. Coli can cause diarrhea or urinary tract infections.

It is fascinating how a robust immune system keeps things in check. Meningitis bacteria reside in the back of the throat and nose. However, just one in a thousand can be infected thanks to close contact with the carrier.

Everything is connected

Parents can boost children’s immune systems by introducing them to new things such as dirt, animals, friends, or various objects. A well-trained immune system would keep the microbiome in good shape, not letting them rebel. Nutritious food, fresh air, plenty of play, and moves around will keep the microbiome and immune system in balance. Microbiome and immune system correlate. The immune system is healthy, microbiome flourishes.

Here is an interesting video about a connection between the gut microbe and the brain. Unfortunately, we forgot many beneficial things. Slowly, we return to the unique and unharmful lifestyle.

Do you have any thoughts about the importance of food to our well-being? It would be great to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.