Influence of Milk-Feeding Type and Genetic Risk of Developing Coeliac Disease on Intestinal Microbiota of Infants: The PROFICEL Study

“This study demonstrates that the milk-feeding type and the HLA-DQ genotype differently influence the bacterial colonization pattern of the newborn intestine during the first 4 months of life and, therefore, could also influence the risk of developing CD in later life. Breast-feeding reduced the genotype-related differences in microbiota composition, which could partly explain the protective role attributed to breast milk in this disorder.”

Interesting study doing two things: 1) showing an effect of genotype on bacterial populations in the gut – and that they are different for those at risk for celiac disease; and, 2) showing a difference between the bacterial populations of breast-fed and formula-fed children, and a possible microbial reason why breast-feeding protects against celiac disease.

Very cool. And scary how it makes such good sense.

Read this article in PLoS ONE.