Research

Hormonal

Probiotic administration in early life, likely via the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, can restore gut microbiota balance and exert epigenetic effects (HDAC inhibition) that prevent chronic immune-mediated diseases.

If considering probiotics for an infant (especially after C-section or antibiotic use), consult a pediatrician. The goal is to support a healthy gut microbiota early in life, which may help program a robust immune system and reduce the risk of allergies via epigenetic mechanisms like butyrate production.

ModerateConditionalMEDIUM confidence
In this regard probiotics, which have the potential to restore the intestinal microbiota balance, may be effective in preventing the development of chronic immune-mediated diseases. ... the epigenetic mechanisms elicited by probiotics through the production of SCFA are hypothesised to be the key to understand how they mediate their numerous health-promoting effects from the gut to the peripheral tissues.
Roberto Berni Canani et al. · Nutrition Research Reviews · 2011

Why this rating

The paper states the mechanism is 'hypothesised' and notes that exact mechanisms are 'yet to be fully understood', relying on animal models and theoretical frameworks.

Source

Epigenetic mechanisms elicited by nutrition in early life

Roberto Berni Canani et al. · Nutrition Research Reviews · 2011

DOI 10.1017/s0954422411000102

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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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