How early gut microbiome development impacts infant and toddler health

The gut microbiome has shown to have numerous positive impacts on short-term and long-term health, including immunity, bone and brain health and development. This lecture by Tommi Vatanen gives an introduction on gut microbiome development, how it is shaped by early life events and dietary factors, such as breastfeeding and the first solid foods. The adaptation of certain microbes, like Bifidobacterium, to utilize components in breastmilk underscores the co-evolution of humans and their microbial inhabitants, and highlights potential strategies aimed at gut microbiome modulation to maximize its health benefits.