Navigation
Evidence for maternal diet-mediated effects on the offspring microbiome and immunity: Implications for public health initiatives
This 2021 article highlights the concerning effects of diet today, especially in the offspring. Mirpuri explains that the consumption of a high-fat diet by the mother during pregnancy can influence the microbiome of her future child or children. Diet is also believed to have significantly contributed to the high prevalence of obesity/overweight among women of childbearing age in the U.S. (said to be 50%). The consequential changes in neonatal microbiome associated with maternal fat-rich diets are related to multiple morbidities such as necrotizing enterocolitis (a serious gastrointestinal problem), atopy (tendency to develop allergic diseases), asthma, metabolic dysfunction, and hypertension (high blood pressure). This review outlines the possible mechanisms by which maternal diets affect offspring immunity and microbiome, focusing on the more recent studies. The author suggests possible avenues of research to approach and even potential mechanisms and summarizes our current knowledge of ideal nutrition during pregnancy and discusses how public health initiatives can promote the well-being of the future generation.
[NPID: pregnancy, microbiome, gut-brain axis, gut microbiota, high-fat diet, high fat, obesity, overweight, enterocolitis, atopy, asthma, metabolic dysfunction, hypertension, high blood pressure, public health]
Year: 2020
