Natural defences, brain and metabolism

A steady process of development takes place in the first phase of life in your baby. Factors such as the diet have now been proven to have a long term influence on the immune system, brain development and metabolism.

There are a multiple of factors that can affect the healthy development of a human being. Individual genetic background is not the only factor. External influences during the time in the womb and during early childhood are also significant. Diet plays a major role whereby the first 1000 days of human life from conception to the age of about 2 years offers an opportunity for your child to take on the positive influence of future health.

During pregnancy, you are already giving your child essential nutrients for the start of its journey through your diet. You can now positively influence the further development of your child through the diet because the organs and essential systems, especially the immune system, the brain and metabolism are highly dependent on it for functioning.

Mode of delivery (e.g. Caesarean / C-section, vaginal birth) also plays a role in determining your child’s immunity development. Research indicates that C-section still contributes to less diverse gut microbiota in children from ages one and above and this impact may take up to 5 years to normalise.

The development of a strong defence: the natural defence

The natural defence consists of a complex network of cells, tissues and organs. They all work together to protect the body against infection by pathogens. At the same time the natural defence keeps the beneficial bacteria in the body for good health: for example, lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium in the gut that help to recycle valuable nutrients.

The natural defence is an intelligent system that learns from its environment- from day one. In the first year of life in particular, the intestinal flora is influenced by the diet and thus, the body is built up for the future health of your child. A well developed and reliable functioning natural defence can not only help your baby to be less prone to infection but also reduce the risk of developing allergies, eczema, autoimmune disorders and even obesity. 

For children born through C-section, even above 1 year of age, who have less diversified microbiota, it’s crucial to supplement these beneficial microbes to support their growth and development. A diverse diet comprising fruits, vegetables, whole grains and rich proteins is key in providing essential nutrients and promoting a robust body defense system. Additionally, prebiotics and probiotics are crucial in the early development of a child’s gut microbiome, which lays the foundation for their immune system and overall health.​

Building a super organ: the brain

New sensations flock to your new born after birth: light, sound, smell. The child’s brain has to undergo a maturation thrust to handle all these external stimuli. Important centres of stimulus processing are formed and developed in the brain regions and networking daily. Children’s brain responds with great sensitivity to experiences and influences from outside in the early phase of its development. Anything that your baby experience will affect his brain development as he is learning at high speeds in this phase. 

The countless of daily impressions that your baby need to process comes in a nonstop synapse formation – all of which requires a high dose of specific nutrients and energy to support the rapid growth of the brain. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids(LCP), iron and choline will play an important role in the development of the brain. 

Basis of all vital processes in the body: the metabolism

Metabolism – the name for all chemical processes in the body that helps to transform and transport materials in the body. Components of the diet (sugar fats and protein) are modified so that they can be converted into a source of energy for the use by the body cells. 

In the early years of your baby’s metabolism, the body will try to keep all vital processes and functions in the body going, to learn for the future

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