Page 47 - The Autoimmune Protocol

The Autoimmune Protocol

Pregnant women can also take steps to ensure their baby has a healthy microbiome.
Babies can be exposed to their mother’s bacteria through the placenta. A connection
between prenatal oral health and a developing fetus’ microbiome has been shown because
some of the microbes in the placenta have their origins in the mouth.

In addition to staying healthy while pregnant, a new microbiome can be affected during
delivery. A baby can pick up bacteria in the vaginal canal during birth. This bacteria is
actually very good and can set the stage for the baby’s future microbiome health. There is
a difference in the microbiomes of babies born via C-section, as opposed to those born
vaginally. Babies born vaginally have much more beneficial bacterial colonies. It is for this
reason that a practice called “vaginal seeding” is growing in popularity. This is when the
mother applies vaginal fluids to a newborn baby after a C-section. This can help promote
a healthy microbiome for the baby.

As soon as a baby is born, it is exposed to all kinds of bacteria. Another way to ensure the
baby is getting the best possible start for its new microbiome is to get as much skin-to-
skin contact with it as possible in the first hour after birth. The bacteria on mom’s skin
can help transfer to the baby and build the microbiome. Putting a newborn against the
skin and to the breast as soon as it emerges can also help it get colostrum. Colostrum is
perhaps one of the most beneficial fluids a baby can have. This precursor to breastmilk is
full of good bacteria, as well as crucial nutrients and vitamins.

Many people, especially westerners, are exposed to a very unhealthy diet full of processed
foods, sugar, and enriched grains. Even if a person got the very best start early in life, their
microbiome can change drastically after too many unhealthy dietary choices. There are
many foods that can feed the bad bacteria and get the microbiome out of balance. These
foods include sugars, gluten, dairy, fried foods, processed foods, red meat, soy, eggs that
are not from free-range chickens, and genetically modified foods.

Foods That Harm the Microbiome

Sugar feeds the bad bacteria in your
microbiome. When you eat too
much, you can actually help the bad
bacteria grow. When this bacteria
begins to grow, it can crowd out the
good bacteria and kill it off.

This leaves room for digestive
issues, as well as immune-system
malfunctions. Sugars to avoid
include white sugar, brown sugar,
high fructose corn syrup, and even

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