Priming for life: early life nutrition and the microbiota-gut-brain axis

From the moment we are born, tiny organisms called microbes start living in our bodies, especially in our gut, and stay with us for life. These gut microbes help shape important body systems like our immune system and brain, especially during the first 1000 days after birth. This time is crucial because any disturbances can have long-lasting effects on our health. Factors like genetics, mental health, what we eat, how we're born, breastfeeding or bottle feeding, antibiotic use, and the mother's health before birth all influence these microbes. Early nutrition is particularly important as it can set the stage for our health as we grow. This review looks at how early nutrition and these microbes affect our development, particularly our brain and digestive system. Understanding how nutrition, brain development, and gut microbes are connected is key to figuring out the roots of certain diseases that may start early in life. Disruptions in this balance during early development can affect our gut health, the way our body interacts with these microbes, and even cause changes in our brain."