Children whose mothers consume a diet high in fat and sugar during pregnancy and breastfeeding may face a higher risk of fatty liver disease as they grow older. A recent study from the University of Oklahoma shines some light on this concern. Researchers found that a compound produced by healthy gut bacteria could lower this risk significantly.
This compound, called indole, is generated when gut bacteria break down tryptophan—a protein found in foods like turkey and nuts. The study adds to a growing body of research aimed at preventing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This disease is becoming increasingly common in both adults and children. In fact, research indicates that about 30% of children with obesity face MASLD, while around 10% of children without obesity are affected as well.
Dr. Jed Friedman, who directs the OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, notes, “The risk is higher for children if their mothers are obese or consume unhealthy diets.” MASLD often goes unnoticed in children until they show liver-related health issues.
The study, co-led by Dr. Karen Jonscher and published in eBioMedicine, aimed to understand the role of gut bacteria, or the microbiome, in developing fatty liver disease. Female mice were given a Western-style diet high in fats and sugars during pregnancy and lactation. Some mice were also given indole. After weaning, the offspring were switched to a typical diet and later a Western-style diet to see if fatty liver disease developed.
Dr. Friedman explained, “Because offspring inherit their microbiome from their mother, a poor maternal diet can harm the infant’s microbiome.”
Interestingly, the offspring of mothers who received indole enjoyed several health benefits. They had healthier livers, less weight gain, lower blood sugar levels, and smaller fat cells, even when exposed to an unhealthy diet later on. The research also highlighted the activation of a protective gut pathway, which could play a role in safeguarding the liver.
Notably, the study showed that harmful liver fats didn’t increase while beneficial fats did. In a key experiment, gut bacteria from the offspring that received indole were transferred to other mice, which also showed less liver damage. This reinforces the idea that the microbiome plays a crucial role in liver health.
While these findings stem from animal studies and can’t be directly applied to humans yet, they open the door to new prevention strategies for MASLD. Currently, weight loss is the only proven treatment for childhood MASLD, and there are no approved medications available. Dr. Jonscher emphasized, “Improving the mother’s microbiome could help prevent MASLD in children, which is much better than trying to address it after it has developed.”
In short, these findings highlight the importance of a healthy diet not just for mothers but also for the future health of their children. As our understanding of the gut microbiome grows, so does the potential for finding new ways to foster healthier lives for the next generation.
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Diet and Weight Loss; Pregnancy and Childbirth; Diabetes; Obesity; Diseases and Conditions; Fitness; Nutrition; Workplace Health
