Scientists reveal that growing up with animals can significantly reduce serious disadvantages in our development.

Children raised on farms are significantly less likely to suffer from allergies, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. This phenomenon may be linked to early exposure to certain bacteria associated with animals. Thus, living alongside our smaller companions may lay the groundwork for robust health from childhood, reports Cosmos.

The researchers' study suggests that the critical first weeks of life play a vital role in shaping our gut microbiome, which in turn impacts the immune system. However, previous studies rarely focused on the diversity of the gut microbiome at an early age and its connection to the later development of allergies, a gap that this scientific work, published in the journal PLOS ONE, addresses.

The researchers collected stool samples from infants starting at three days old and tracked their gut microbiome until 18 months. These samples were taken from three groups: children living on farms, children with pets, and children without animal contact. Follow-up assessments conducted at ages three and eight determined the presence of allergies.

One of the key findings was a striking sevenfold increase in the ratio of anaerobic to facultative bacteria in infants exposed to animals, compared to their peers, observed as early as one week of age. Pets also contributed to the early colonization of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, and Lactobacillus, but without achieving the dominance of anaerobes seen in children raised on farms. Although over time the similarity of microbiomes between groups decreased, the pattern of bacterial colonization in early life remained linked to allergic manifestations at age eight, highlighting the importance of early gut microbiome development for immune health, the authors stated.

This study suggests a unique protective role for early colonization by anaerobes in preventing allergies, offering potentially new ideas for future therapeutic approaches involving animals. However, since the sample size consisted of only 65 children, the study is relatively small, and larger studies are needed to confirm the findings, the researchers emphasized.

Past research has shown that rural environments reduce the risk of developing allergies and asthma due to early exposure to microorganisms, supporting the existing "hygiene hypothesis" among scientists. This theory posits that insufficient exposure to microorganisms in overly sanitized urban conditions contributes to immune system dysfunction, leading to a higher prevalence of allergies and susceptibility to diseases.

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