#131: A Strong Start: Microbiome Milestones in Early Life

The human microbiome has been a hot topic of discourse – but what do we really know about it? This diverse ecosystem of microbes can be thought of as its own organ, interacting and influencing many physiological processes. Understanding what contributes to its strong formation is a multi-disciplinary and growing field of research. To learn more about the human gut microbiome in its earliest stages of formation, we sought the expertise of Zahra Pakzad, PhD Candidate at the University of British Columbia; Dr. Marie-Claire Arrieta, Associate Professor at the University of Calgary; and Dr. Meghan Azad, Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba. In this episode, they walk us through a series of early life milestones – starting as early as birth itself – that dictate the development of this complex and microscopic system of the body. They also discuss how the microbiome impacts the immune system and share their hopes for future research in this field. Tune in to this episode to learn more about how such tiny microbes can have a big impact on our health!