Optimizing the Microbiome and Immune System With Maternal Diet in Pregnancy and Lactation May Prevent Food Allergies in Infants

Abstract

Breast milk contains a perfect blend of macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and water. This supports a baby’s nutritional needs exclusively for the first 6 months and beyond when paired with solid foods. Human milk also provides a unique blend of hormones, growth factors, and protective nutrients that support healthy functioning of the body as it matures, especially the microbiome within the digestive system. As a direct carrier of beneficial microbes, breast milk contains growth factors, oligosaccharides, lactoferrin, and lysozymes, which support the microbiome and immune system. These components regulate host–microbe interactions and establish the innate and adaptive immune response within the body. When the infant’s gastrointestinal tract is adequately colonized with an intact mucosal barrier, oral tolerance to antigens and pathogens creates a strong immune defense, avoiding expression of disease and atypical immune responses. There are many perinatal factors that affect the bacterial composition of breast milk and the maternal/infant gastrointestinal tract such as maternal body mass index, mode of delivery, perinatal antibiotic use, formula supplementation, and inflammation. Dysbiosis contributes to an increased expression of immune-mediated and allergic disease states. The impact of perinatal factors cannot always be prevented. When alternatives are not available, medical nutrition therapy can be key in supporting a healthy microbiome as well as improving maternal and infant gut function to prevent or treat food sensitivities. This article aims to address the role of maternal diet in pregnancy and lactation through optimizing the microbiome and immune system and reducing the infant allergy risk.