A recent study conducted by Sinai Health and the University of Toronto has revealed that growing up with a dog may contribute to a healthier gut and a reduced risk of Crohn’s disease. This groundbreaking research highlights how early exposure to dogs during childhood could have long-term health benefits.
The study, which appears in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, indicates that children who lived with a dog between the ages of five and 15 have a more balanced gut microbiome and a lower likelihood of developing Crohn’s disease. The findings provide new insights into how environmental factors may influence the onset of this inflammatory bowel disease and could lead to new strategies for prevention.
Led by Kenneth Croitoru and Williams Turpin from Mount Sinai Hospital’s Centre for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the research explores how various environmental factors impact the development of Crohn’s disease. Croitoru, a clinician-scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI) and a professor of medicine and immunology at the University of Toronto, emphasizes that understanding these associations is crucial for early intervention.
“The goal of predicting disease risk is to understand who might benefit from preventive measures,” says Croitoru. While the study establishes a connection between dog exposure and reduced Crohn’s risk, it does not yet explain the mechanism behind this link. Researchers are now working to decipher how these environmental factors may trigger or prevent the disease.
The research also identified that children from large families during their first year of life are less likely to develop Crohn’s, whereas having a bird as a pet might increase the risk. Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, has seen a significant rise in cases among children under 10 since 1995. In Canada alone, the annual cost of inflammatory bowel diseases is approximately $5.4 billion, according to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
While genetics play a crucial role in Crohn’s disease, environmental factors are also significant, notes Croitoru. Although genetic predispositions cannot be altered, modifying environmental conditions and dietary habits might offer preventive benefits.
The study is part of the Genetic, Environmental and Microbial (GEM) Project, the largest of its kind, which aims to identify potential triggers for Crohn’s disease. Since its inception in 2008, the GEM Project has gathered extensive data from over 5,000 healthy relatives of Crohn’s patients across several countries.
With over 120 participants developing Crohn’s disease during the study period, researchers are analyzing differences in microbiomes and biomarkers to improve risk prediction. Recent advances, such as the development of an “integrative risk score” using machine learning, have enhanced the accuracy of Crohn’s risk assessments.
The ultimate objective of this research is to create and test preventive strategies, such as dietary supplements to support a healthy microbiome. Anne-Claude Gingras, director of LTRI and vice-president of research at Sinai Health, underscores the commitment to translating these findings into practical interventions.
“By integrating genetic, environmental, and microbial data, Dr. Croitoru and his team are paving the way for personalized strategies that could significantly lower the incidence of Crohn’s disease,” Gingras states.
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