Üsküdar University Health Services Vocational School organized the “Nutrition and Microbiota Relationship” program. The guest of the program, held via Zoom, was Instructor Keziban Çördükçü from Üsküdar University Health Services Vocational School First and Emergency Aid Program.
What is Human Microbiota?
Instructor Keziban Çördükçü, giving information about what human microbiota is, stated: “Human microbiota is the complete family of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that live in the human body and are not human cells. Human microbiota is channeled primarily to the digestive system, as well as the skin, genitourinary system, and respiratory system. Because the digestive system has a very large surface area and contains rich nutrients for microorganisms, it is a very suitable environment for colonization.”
How does microbiota form?
Çördükçü, talking about the formation of microbiota, said: “In humans, the digestive system microbiota begins to form immediately after birth. The mode of delivery is very important for the shaping of the microbiota in babies. While healthy intestinal microbiota develops in babies born via vaginal delivery, it is known that in cesarean births, the baby's intestinal system microbiota composition forms similarly to the skin flora. For the development of a healthy microbiota, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and plant fibers, i.e., roughage, are needed.”
The effect of nutrition on microbiota
Instructor Keziban Çördükçü, providing information about the relationship between nutrition and microbiota, said: “It is known that there is a mutual and strong interaction between food intake and gut microbiota. According to research, some foods play a greater role in this regard. The first dietary factor affecting microbiota is breast milk intake. Because breast milk is considered one of the most important factors influencing the formation of gut microbiota in infants.”