I wanted to start a discussion on the possible links to non-breastfed infants and the relation to possible bacterial imbalance later in adulthood. Could beneficial bacteria populations be stunted in the gut flora of an infant who was not breastfed? Or if the infant was breastfed perhaps maybe the bacteria didn't colonize? Would this imbalance take some time to show effects?
I was not breastfed so I wonder if this could have contributed to a portion of my UC. I know UC seems to be genetic but could factors in childhood like antibiotic usage, severe illnesses requiring stressful surgery, and poor diet predispose or activate an already existing condition like UC? I thought about this when I began noticing that my body performs so much better when probiotics are added to my diet.
Anyone else have any comments or ideas?