Household chemicals can affect children’s gut microbes

Household chemicals can affect children’s gut microbes


The gut microbiome is a jack of many, if not all, trades. The delicate ecosystem of microbes that have set up house in our intestinal tracts has been increasingly linked by research to processes such as immunity and nutrient absorption or to conditions from asthma to dementia. And the population of bacteria and fungi vary slightly per individual.

Now, a study by researchers at Washington State University indicates common environmental factors can affect the type of bacteria found in the gut microbiome, and the function of this important system.

More specifically, scientists identified an association between the levels of bacteria and fungi in the gastrointestinal tract of children and the quantity of common chemicals found in their home environment.

Chemicals from shower curtains, personal care products like shampoo, detergents, and furniture coatings wind up in the air and dust in people’s homes. Children can be especially prone to ingesting them by crawling around or putting objects in their mouth.

Although gut microbes’ roles in human biology tend to be subtle, certain varieties could have specific functions in our health. Any dip in their numbers or changes in their diversity can result in a significant health impact.

But the gut microbiome is full of surprises.

The children with elevated levels of chemical compounds in the blood were found to have different types of “clean-up” bacteria that break down toxic chemicals.

 

Ordinarily, these bacteria are not found in the human gut, adding another layer of mystery to the microbiome that has dominated gastrointestinal research in recent years.

Related Episodes