thank you everyone for being here today good afternoon our early days in life in
good afternoon our early days in life in
good afternoon our early days in life in many ways they set the tone for the
many ways they set the tone for the
many ways they set the tone for the quality of life later on and even though
quality of life later on and even though
quality of life later on and even though we have known this for four years now
we have known this for four years now
we have known this for four years now what if I told you today that the health
what if I told you today that the health
what if I told you today that the health of our baby’s guts and specifically the
of our baby’s guts and specifically the
of our baby’s guts and specifically the microbes that live within their guts can
microbes that live within their guts can
microbes that live within their guts can help us predict their future health see
help us predict their future health see
help us predict their future health see this idea of microbes promoting health
this idea of microbes promoting health
this idea of microbes promoting health is quite new and the reason is that for
is quite new and the reason is that for
is quite new and the reason is that for the past 150 years and up until about
the past 150 years and up until about
the past 150 years and up until about only ten years ago microbiologist like
only ten years ago microbiologist like
only ten years ago microbiologist like myself have been mainly focused on the
myself have been mainly focused on the
myself have been mainly focused on the bad reputation of microbes they cause
bad reputation of microbes they cause
bad reputation of microbes they cause disease they caused pandemics and death
disease they caused pandemics and death
disease they caused pandemics and death the only good microbe is a dead one goes
the only good microbe is a dead one goes
the only good microbe is a dead one goes the motor yet brand-new cutting-edge
the motor yet brand-new cutting-edge
the motor yet brand-new cutting-edge sciences is teaching us this other side
sciences is teaching us this other side
sciences is teaching us this other side of the cone coin and is giving us
of the cone coin and is giving us
of the cone coin and is giving us information that calls for a change in
information that calls for a change in
information that calls for a change in attitude in the way we raise children
attitude in the way we raise children
attitude in the way we raise children each one of us has at all times a huge
each one of us has at all times a huge
each one of us has at all times a huge number of microbes living in an all-new
number of microbes living in an all-new
number of microbes living in an all-new since the moment that you were born
since the moment that you were born
since the moment that you were born recently this large community of
recently this large community of
recently this large community of microbes was giving a name our
microbes was giving a name our
microbes was giving a name our microbiome they live on every inch of
microbiome they live on every inch of
microbiome they live on every inch of your body that is in contact with the
your body that is in contact with the
your body that is in contact with the outside world with your guts being the
outside world with your guts being the
outside world with your guts being the place that they prefer the most you have
place that they prefer the most you have
place that they prefer the most you have this many bacteria in your intestines at
this many bacteria in your intestines at
this many bacteria in your intestines at all times that’s a one followed by 13
all times that’s a one followed by 13
all times that’s a one followed by 13 zeroes that’s a lot see for every single
zeroes that’s a lot see for every single
zeroes that’s a lot see for every single cell in your body there’s at least
cell in your body there’s at least
cell in your body there’s at least another bacterial cell just in your guts
another bacterial cell just in your guts
another bacterial cell just in your guts and for every gene in your cells there’s
and for every gene in your cells there’s
and for every gene in your cells there’s 10 to 15 bacterial genes in and with you
10 to 15 bacterial genes in and with you
10 to 15 bacterial genes in and with you at all times and this we didn’t know
at all times and this we didn’t know
at all times and this we didn’t know about that much about this until very
about that much about this until very
about that much about this until very very recently and back
very recently and back
very recently and back area there not just this large number
area there not just this large number
area there not just this large number there are a lot more than just this huge
there are a lot more than just this huge
there are a lot more than just this huge number there this powerhouse of active
number there this powerhouse of active
number there this powerhouse of active metabolism that is in direct contact
metabolism that is in direct contact
metabolism that is in direct contact with your body and contrary to popular
with your body and contrary to popular
with your body and contrary to popular belief having this huge number of
belief having this huge number of
belief having this huge number of bacteria with you does not cause you
bacteria with you does not cause you
bacteria with you does not cause you harm in fact it’s quite the opposite it
harm in fact it’s quite the opposite it
harm in fact it’s quite the opposite it keeps you alive and it keeps you healthy
keeps you alive and it keeps you healthy
keeps you alive and it keeps you healthy and again we didn’t know that much about
and again we didn’t know that much about
and again we didn’t know that much about this until very recently and how did we
this until very recently and how did we
this until very recently and how did we figure that out well through research
figure that out well through research
figure that out well through research but not just any research we started
but not just any research we started
but not just any research we started working on this using germ-free mice
working on this using germ-free mice
working on this using germ-free mice germ-free mice are animals that are born
germ-free mice are animals that are born
germ-free mice are animals that are born and raised in sterile conditions and
and raised in sterile conditions and
and raised in sterile conditions and laboratories they’re completely devoid
laboratories they’re completely devoid
laboratories they’re completely devoid of microbes and using these mice and
of microbes and using these mice and
of microbes and using these mice and comparing them with regular mice that
comparing them with regular mice that
comparing them with regular mice that Harbor microbes in them we found three
Harbor microbes in them we found three
Harbor microbes in them we found three essential ways that microbes keep us
essential ways that microbes keep us
essential ways that microbes keep us healthy the first one microbes out there
healthy the first one microbes out there
healthy the first one microbes out there are energy metabolism if you take a
are energy metabolism if you take a
are energy metabolism if you take a germ-free Mouse and if you put bacteria
germ-free Mouse and if you put bacteria
germ-free Mouse and if you put bacteria on it again this germ-free Mouse is
on it again this germ-free Mouse is
on it again this germ-free Mouse is going to experience a gain in weight of
going to experience a gain in weight of
going to experience a gain in weight of about 60% without eating more bacteria
about 60% without eating more bacteria
about 60% without eating more bacteria we know they break down food for us and
we know they break down food for us and
we know they break down food for us and they also allow us to extract more
they also allow us to extract more
they also allow us to extract more energy from it they also produce
energy from it they also produce
energy from it they also produce compounds that help dictate how you
compounds that help dictate how you
compounds that help dictate how you store and burn energy we also know that
store and burn energy we also know that
store and burn energy we also know that there are key components of our immune
there are key components of our immune
there are key components of our immune system bacteria allow our immune system
system bacteria allow our immune system
system bacteria allow our immune system to mature and developed germ-free mice
to mature and developed germ-free mice
to mature and developed germ-free mice have very sloppy immune systems they can
have very sloppy immune systems they can
have very sloppy immune systems they can now control the seeds very well bacteria
now control the seeds very well bacteria
now control the seeds very well bacteria do that for us from the moment that were
do that for us from the moment that were
do that for us from the moment that were born and last and this was really
born and last and this was really
born and last and this was really surprising when we found this out
surprising when we found this out
surprising when we found this out they also alter certain aspects of our
they also alter certain aspects of our
they also alter certain aspects of our behavior bacteria germ-free mice we know
behavior bacteria germ-free mice we know
behavior bacteria germ-free mice we know they respond differently and poorly to
they respond differently and poorly to
they respond differently and poorly to disturbances in stress and memory
disturbances in stress and memory
disturbances in stress and memory bacteria we know now they help us manage
bacteria we know now they help us manage
bacteria we know now they help us manage primal behavioral responses such as
primal behavioral responses such as
primal behavioral responses such as stress in fear so again we didn’t know
stress in fear so again we didn’t know
stress in fear so again we didn’t know about this until about five to ten years
about this until about five to ten years
about this until about five to ten years ago
ago
ago in scientific terms this is what we call
in scientific terms this is what we call
in scientific terms this is what we call an aha moment and this is one of the
an aha moment and this is one of the
an aha moment and this is one of the newest but at the same time least
newest but at the same time least
newest but at the same time least understood frontiers of modern medicine
understood frontiers of modern medicine
understood frontiers of modern medicine yet the next aha moment came when we
yet the next aha moment came when we
yet the next aha moment came when we realized that the most important time to
realized that the most important time to
realized that the most important time to look after our microbiome is early on in
look after our microbiome is early on in
look after our microbiome is early on in life see when you give an antibiotic to
life see when you give an antibiotic to
life see when you give an antibiotic to a baby mouse this mouse is going to
a baby mouse this mouse is going to
a baby mouse this mouse is going to experience a stronger and more permanent
experience a stronger and more permanent
experience a stronger and more permanent hips in the microbiome than if the same
hips in the microbiome than if the same
hips in the microbiome than if the same antibiotic is given to an adult Mouse
antibiotic is given to an adult Mouse
antibiotic is given to an adult Mouse but what’s more the change in microbiome
but what’s more the change in microbiome
but what’s more the change in microbiome experienced by the baby mice made them
experienced by the baby mice made them
experienced by the baby mice made them more susceptible to develop asthma later
more susceptible to develop asthma later
more susceptible to develop asthma later in life something that did not happen to
in life something that did not happen to
in life something that did not happen to the adult mice we wanted to see whether
the adult mice we wanted to see whether
the adult mice we wanted to see whether this happened in children as well so we
this happened in children as well so we
this happened in children as well so we followed the micro bomb of hundreds of
followed the micro bomb of hundreds of
followed the micro bomb of hundreds of Canadian babies until they started
Canadian babies until they started
Canadian babies until they started preschool and what we found was pretty
preschool and what we found was pretty
preschool and what we found was pretty amazing we found that three month old
amazing we found that three month old
amazing we found that three month old babies that are missing for only four
babies that are missing for only four
babies that are missing for only four bacteria types of bacteria in their guts
bacteria types of bacteria in their guts
bacteria types of bacteria in their guts were a lot more likely to develop asthma
were a lot more likely to develop asthma
were a lot more likely to develop asthma by the time they started preschool there
by the time they started preschool there
by the time they started preschool there seems to be this early critical window
seems to be this early critical window
seems to be this early critical window during which changes in our gut
during which changes in our gut
during which changes in our gut microbiome makes us more susceptible to
microbiome makes us more susceptible to
microbiome makes us more susceptible to asthma a disease of the lungs
asthma a disease of the lungs
asthma a disease of the lungs yet other in laboratories around the
yet other in laboratories around the
yet other in laboratories around the world are showing but there’s also an
world are showing but there’s also an
world are showing but there’s also an early critical window for obesity
early critical window for obesity
early critical window for obesity allergies and inflammatory bowel disease
allergies and inflammatory bowel disease
allergies and inflammatory bowel disease as well and why is it that there there
as well and why is it that there there
as well and why is it that there there is this early critical window see when
is this early critical window see when
is this early critical window see when we’re born we go from zero to billions
we’re born we go from zero to billions
we’re born we go from zero to billions and trillions of microbes really really
and trillions of microbes really really
and trillions of microbes really really rapidly babies are literally basted in
rapidly babies are literally basted in
rapidly babies are literally basted in vaginal and fecal secretions the minute
vaginal and fecal secretions the minute
vaginal and fecal secretions the minute that they’re born into the world and
that they’re born into the world and
that they’re born into the world and this is a really good thing because in
this is a really good thing because in
this is a really good thing because in those secretions
those secretions
those secretions there’s these type of microbes that are
there’s these type of microbes that are
there’s these type of microbes that are the ones that kick-start those
the ones that kick-start those
the ones that kick-start those physiological processes that I was
physiological processes that I was
physiological processes that I was talking to you about another factor that
talking to you about another factor that
talking to you about another factor that is key in shaping this microbiome is
is key in shaping this microbiome is
is key in shaping this microbiome is breast milk breast milk we know
breast milk breast milk we know
breast milk breast milk we know know is not sterile but it’s actually it
know is not sterile but it’s actually it
know is not sterile but it’s actually it has microbes and this part was
has microbes and this part was
has microbes and this part was fascinating to me not only has microbes
fascinating to me not only has microbes
fascinating to me not only has microbes but it also has the right nutrients to
but it also has the right nutrients to
but it also has the right nutrients to feed these microbes in fact these
feed these microbes in fact these
feed these microbes in fact these nutrients are not digestible by the baby
nutrients are not digestible by the baby
nutrients are not digestible by the baby only by the microbes
only by the microbes
only by the microbes when a woman is breastfeeding his or her
when a woman is breastfeeding his or her
when a woman is breastfeeding his or her child she is not only feeding her baby
child she is not only feeding her baby
child she is not only feeding her baby but also his honor her microbes so as
but also his honor her microbes so as
but also his honor her microbes so as the baby grows this microbe um continues
the baby grows this microbe um continues
the baby grows this microbe um continues to fluctuate and change up until about 3
to fluctuate and change up until about 3
to fluctuate and change up until about 3 years of age when it becomes stable
years of age when it becomes stable
years of age when it becomes stable strong almost as a unit but before this
strong almost as a unit but before this
strong almost as a unit but before this time is a lot less resilient and more
time is a lot less resilient and more
time is a lot less resilient and more susceptible to changes and alterations
susceptible to changes and alterations
susceptible to changes and alterations and alterations to our early life
and alterations to our early life
and alterations to our early life microbiome
microbiome
microbiome does come with consequences if you see
does come with consequences if you see
does come with consequences if you see this graph you’ll see that the incidence
this graph you’ll see that the incidence
this graph you’ll see that the incidence of many immune and metabolic disorders
of many immune and metabolic disorders
of many immune and metabolic disorders has been at a skyrocketing rise for the
has been at a skyrocketing rise for the
has been at a skyrocketing rise for the past two generations diabetes obesity
past two generations diabetes obesity
past two generations diabetes obesity asthma allergies inflammatory bowel
asthma allergies inflammatory bowel
asthma allergies inflammatory bowel disease autoimmune disease even autism
disease autoimmune disease even autism
disease autoimmune disease even autism and this has happened at the exact same
and this has happened at the exact same
and this has happened at the exact same time that society has seen a steady
time that society has seen a steady
time that society has seen a steady decrease in very dangerous infectious
decrease in very dangerous infectious
decrease in very dangerous infectious diseases through a very effective
diseases through a very effective
diseases through a very effective campaign of Hygiene and antibiotics a
campaign of Hygiene and antibiotics a
campaign of Hygiene and antibiotics a true triumph for a modern medicine yet
true triumph for a modern medicine yet
true triumph for a modern medicine yet research is so in showing that this is
research is so in showing that this is
research is so in showing that this is not just a mere coincidence on us or or
not just a mere coincidence on us or or
not just a mere coincidence on us or or an association as we clean up our world
an association as we clean up our world
an association as we clean up our world to prevent diseases we also make our
to prevent diseases we also make our
to prevent diseases we also make our immune systems and our metabolism more
immune systems and our metabolism more
immune systems and our metabolism more susceptible to develop them later on and
susceptible to develop them later on and
susceptible to develop them later on and this is important because we now live in
this is important because we now live in
this is important because we now live in an era of antimicrobial everything the
an era of antimicrobial everything the
an era of antimicrobial everything the word antimicrobial is in fact used as a
word antimicrobial is in fact used as a
word antimicrobial is in fact used as a cell page for things that go from
cell page for things that go from
cell page for things that go from laundry detergent to fabric never before
laundry detergent to fabric never before
laundry detergent to fabric never before in the history of human life have babies
in the history of human life have babies
in the history of human life have babies grown so cleanly as they do today
grown so cleanly as they do today
grown so cleanly as they do today there’s hand sanitizers in every other
there’s hand sanitizers in every other
there’s hand sanitizers in every other diaper bath and they get wiped cleaned
diaper bath and they get wiped cleaned
diaper bath and they get wiped cleaned at the first speck of dirt our diets
at the first speck of dirt our diets
at the first speck of dirt our diets which affect our microbes directly have
which affect our microbes directly have
which affect our microbes directly have never been so poor and so five
never been so poor and so five
never been so poor and so five this we are really really crappy hosts
this we are really really crappy hosts
this we are really really crappy hosts to our micro bombs especially early in
to our micro bombs especially early in
to our micro bombs especially early in life yet with this new knowledge comes
life yet with this new knowledge comes
life yet with this new knowledge comes the real challenge and question what do
the real challenge and question what do
the real challenge and question what do we do about it because as parents and
we do about it because as parents and
we do about it because as parents and I’m one myself and as a caregiver you
I’m one myself and as a caregiver you
I’m one myself and as a caregiver you need to balance out the fact that you
need to balance out the fact that you
need to balance out the fact that you need to prevent really dangerous
need to prevent really dangerous
need to prevent really dangerous diseases which is still of paramount
diseases which is still of paramount
diseases which is still of paramount importance today and also you need to
importance today and also you need to
importance today and also you need to promote this healthy exposure to
promote this healthy exposure to
promote this healthy exposure to microbes how do you do that
microbes how do you do that
microbes how do you do that here are the takeaways for today the
here are the takeaways for today the
here are the takeaways for today the first one birth vaginally and breastfeed
first one birth vaginally and breastfeed
first one birth vaginally and breastfeed if possible but we know that this is not
if possible but we know that this is not
if possible but we know that this is not only not possible all the time and at
only not possible all the time and at
only not possible all the time and at the same time the woman’s autonomy to
the same time the woman’s autonomy to
the same time the woman’s autonomy to decide how she gives birth and how she
decide how she gives birth and how she
decide how she gives birth and how she feed her children is extremely important
feed her children is extremely important
feed her children is extremely important as well we also know that we can benefit
as well we also know that we can benefit
as well we also know that we can benefit the microbiome beyond birth and
the microbiome beyond birth and
the microbiome beyond birth and breastfeeding which brings me to number
breastfeeding which brings me to number
breastfeeding which brings me to number two
whenever you feed your baby feed about
whenever you feed your baby feed about think about feeding your baby and his or
think about feeding your baby and his or
think about feeding your baby and his or her microbes and microbes thrive on
her microbes and microbes thrive on
her microbes and microbes thrive on fiber and we live in a fiber depleted
fiber and we live in a fiber depleted
fiber and we live in a fiber depleted Society think about whole grains
Society think about whole grains
Society think about whole grains vegetables and fruit in every single
vegetables and fruit in every single
vegetables and fruit in every single meal yeah even breakfast every single
meal yeah even breakfast every single
meal yeah even breakfast every single meal and think also about supplementing
meal and think also about supplementing
meal and think also about supplementing with fermented foods such as kefir and
with fermented foods such as kefir and
with fermented foods such as kefir and yogurt and sauerkraut and pickle
yogurt and sauerkraut and pickle
yogurt and sauerkraut and pickle vegetables and and all of those things
vegetables and and all of those things
vegetables and and all of those things number three make smart and somewhat
number three make smart and somewhat
number three make smart and somewhat dirty decisions every day a really good
dirty decisions every day a really good
dirty decisions every day a really good example for this is hand-washing
example for this is hand-washing
example for this is hand-washing hand-washing is without a doubt one of
hand-washing is without a doubt one of
hand-washing is without a doubt one of the best public measures to prevent
the best public measures to prevent
the best public measures to prevent disease and we should continue to do
disease and we should continue to do
disease and we should continue to do those but it’s only effective and it’s
those but it’s only effective and it’s
those but it’s only effective and it’s mainly effective if we do it at certain
mainly effective if we do it at certain
mainly effective if we do it at certain times after we use the washer before we
times after we use the washer before we
times after we use the washer before we make food before we’re about to eat if
make food before we’re about to eat if
make food before we’re about to eat if we have been with someone that has has
we have been with someone that has has
we have been with someone that has has been sick or is sick or for whatever
been sick or is sick or for whatever
been sick or is sick or for whatever reason we have been in contact with
reason we have been in contact with
reason we have been in contact with animal waste but other than that we
animal waste but other than that we
animal waste but other than that we should let kids be kids and get dirty
should let kids be kids and get dirty
should let kids be kids and get dirty and promoted actually because dirt does
and promoted actually because dirt does
and promoted actually because dirt does not equal disease number four
not equal disease number four
not equal disease number four antibiotics this is a big one because
antibiotics this is a big one because
antibiotics this is a big one because antibiotics are Wonder drugs they have
antibiotics are Wonder drugs they have
antibiotics are Wonder drugs they have saved millions and hopefully they will
saved millions and hopefully they will
saved millions and hopefully they will continue to save many millions more but
continue to save many millions more but
continue to save many millions more but antibiotics are in a targeted missile
antibiotics are in a targeted missile
antibiotics are in a targeted missile that is only going to kill the bacteria
that is only going to kill the bacteria
that is only going to kill the bacteria that you’re having an infection with
that you’re having an infection with
that you’re having an infection with there are carpet-bomb and they will kill
there are carpet-bomb and they will kill
there are carpet-bomb and they will kill that bacteria and many more and there’s
that bacteria and many more and there’s
that bacteria and many more and there’s no other factor that has been more
no other factor that has been more
no other factor that has been more strongly associated with the development
strongly associated with the development
strongly associated with the development of the diseases that I talked about that
of the diseases that I talked about that
of the diseases that I talked about that the use of antibiotics in the first year
the use of antibiotics in the first year
the use of antibiotics in the first year of life or during the late stages of
of life or during the late stages of
of life or during the late stages of pregnancy so why do we do here we need
pregnancy so why do we do here we need
pregnancy so why do we do here we need to be more restrictive about antibiotics
to be more restrictive about antibiotics
to be more restrictive about antibiotics if you require one there’s no way around
if you require one there’s no way around
if you require one there’s no way around it you need to use one but they’re being
it you need to use one but they’re being
it you need to use one but they’re being overused and over prescribed so talk to
overused and over prescribed so talk to
overused and over prescribed so talk to your doctor to understand really when a
your doctor to understand really when a
your doctor to understand really when a bacteria antibiotics is necessary before
bacteria antibiotics is necessary before
bacteria antibiotics is necessary before the age of three and last but not least
the age of three and last but not least
the age of three and last but not least vaccination and I know this is
vaccination and I know this is
vaccination and I know this is controversial but hear me out here
controversial but hear me out here
controversial but hear me out here vaccinations are supposed to an
vaccinations are supposed to an
vaccinations are supposed to an antibiotic is a targeted approach when
antibiotic is a targeted approach when
antibiotic is a targeted approach when you become vaccinated you lose the
you become vaccinated you lose the
you become vaccinated you lose the chance of getting infected with one
chance of getting infected with one
chance of getting infected with one microbe and one microbe only and it
microbe and one microbe only and it
microbe and one microbe only and it doesn’t affect the whole community of
doesn’t affect the whole community of
doesn’t affect the whole community of microbes as we know through experiments
microbes as we know through experiments
microbes as we know through experiments vaccination is the only reason what we
vaccination is the only reason what we
vaccination is the only reason what we do not get really horrible diseases that
do not get really horrible diseases that
do not get really horrible diseases that we used to get and if we got one of them
we used to get and if we got one of them
we used to get and if we got one of them that would also increase our chances of
that would also increase our chances of
that would also increase our chances of having to use antibiotics that carpet
having to use antibiotics that carpet
having to use antibiotics that carpet bombs at the end of the day going back
bombs at the end of the day going back
bombs at the end of the day going back to that balance we know that promoting
to that balance we know that promoting
to that balance we know that promoting healthy exposure to microbes drives
healthy exposure to microbes drives
healthy exposure to microbes drives health but exposing ourselves or our
health but exposing ourselves or our
health but exposing ourselves or our children to a dangerous micro does the
children to a dangerous micro does the
children to a dangerous micro does the exact opposite so we still do not know
exact opposite so we still do not know
exact opposite so we still do not know that whole story about the microbiome I
that whole story about the microbiome I
that whole story about the microbiome I think we will hear a lot more of this
think we will hear a lot more of this
think we will hear a lot more of this fascinating field in the next decade or
fascinating field in the next decade or
fascinating field in the next decade or two but what we have in front of us is
two but what we have in front of us is
two but what we have in front of us is undeniable evidence that microbes are
undeniable evidence that microbes are
undeniable evidence that microbes are extremely important to our survival on
extremely important to our survival on
extremely important to our survival on our health especially early in life I
our health especially early in life I
our health especially early in life I have given you some information say but
have given you some information say but
have given you some information say but I really urge you to get even more
I really urge you to get even more
I really urge you to get even more Norrish this powerhouse that you
Norrish this powerhouse that you
Norrish this powerhouse that you having your guts with your children
having your guts with your children
having your guts with your children bring up your children and their
bring up your children and their
bring up your children and their microbes thank you
microbes thank you
microbes thank you [Applause]
”
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