A study has found that dogs can improve a child's gut microbiome, which is potentially linked to better overall health. The results were published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH).
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to severe complications and decreased quality of life. The incidence among children under 10 years of age has doubled since 1995. In the new work, scientists assessed environmental factors that influence the development of Crohn's disease in children.
The authors analyzed data from five thousand people. During the observation period, 120 people fell ill. Scientists found that the risk of developing Crohn's disease was lower in those who lived with a dog between the ages of 5 and 15 years. They also had a healthier gut microbiome, the community of microbes that live in the gut. Also, Crohn's disease developed less often in those who lived in a large family in the first year of life. In contrast, having poultry during follow-up was associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease.
Scientists have created a machine learning model to predict the risk of Crohn's disease. By knowing a person's risk, they can find ways to reduce it, such as through diet, supplements or other means.
