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http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180808-gut-bacteria-that-could-cure-malnutrition
Excerpt: "Even more importantly, a diverse gut microbiota can strengthen you against infections such as shigella, listeria or salmonella. This is partly due to competition: the established bacteria make it harder for the pathogens to find a niche and thrive. A larger number of helpful – or at least, harmless – bacteria could also stimulate the immune system, which should also help us fight off infection from more damaging species.
If a poor diet reduces these natural defences, then undernourished children could quickly enter a vicious cycle, explains Jonathan Swann, an associate professor in microbiomics at Imperial College London. “Children who are undernourished often live in environments where they are exposed to a large amount of pathogens,” he says. “And this additive effect of greater pathogen exposure and reduced ability to clear them leads to more persistent infections, which can drive prolonged diarrhoea and leads to chronic inflammation of the gut. This, in turn, damages the gut structure and impairs its function.” The result would be further undernourishment, leading to stunting and cognitive deficits."
Excerpt: "Even more importantly, a diverse gut microbiota can strengthen you against infections such as shigella, listeria or salmonella. This is partly due to competition: the established bacteria make it harder for the pathogens to find a niche and thrive. A larger number of helpful – or at least, harmless – bacteria could also stimulate the immune system, which should also help us fight off infection from more damaging species.
If a poor diet reduces these natural defences, then undernourished children could quickly enter a vicious cycle, explains Jonathan Swann, an associate professor in microbiomics at Imperial College London. “Children who are undernourished often live in environments where they are exposed to a large amount of pathogens,” he says. “And this additive effect of greater pathogen exposure and reduced ability to clear them leads to more persistent infections, which can drive prolonged diarrhoea and leads to chronic inflammation of the gut. This, in turn, damages the gut structure and impairs its function.” The result would be further undernourishment, leading to stunting and cognitive deficits."
