As one of my twins has multiple allergies - peanuts, pecans, walnuts and contact with nickel, I was fascinated to watch the recent Horizon TV programme, evidence was presented that gut flora is important and this is colonized during the first year of life.
What was interesting to me is that as far as I can recall my fraternal twins had the same first year: both breast fed, both natural birth, stayed together in the Special care baby unit for the first two weeks and mum did have antibiotics at least once (may be more) in that first year, whilst breast feeding.
These things may all impact on gut flora but in fact, as stated, only one of my children has allergies so there must be more to it. I think there may be something in his genes, as studies among identical twins have also found strong evidence of a genetic link. The bacteria hypothesis is a way of explaining the incredible rise in allergies, however, so that now about 30% of the population may have some allergies.
What was interesting to me is that as far as I can recall my fraternal twins had the same first year: both breast fed, both natural birth, stayed together in the Special care baby unit for the first two weeks and mum did have antibiotics at least once (may be more) in that first year, whilst breast feeding.
These things may all impact on gut flora but in fact, as stated, only one of my children has allergies so there must be more to it. I think there may be something in his genes, as studies among identical twins have also found strong evidence of a genetic link. The bacteria hypothesis is a way of explaining the incredible rise in allergies, however, so that now about 30% of the population may have some allergies.
