Shocking! A 2-year-old girl's intestinal flora imbalance caused her to self-harm. The reason behind it is shocking!

Recently, a 2-year-old girl named Xiaoxin from Jingzhou, Hubei, suffered from severe food allergies, malnutrition, low immunity, and even self-harm tendencies due to intestinal flora imbalance, which aroused social concern. Xiaoxin is allergic to more than 30 kinds of food, including milk, bananas, oranges, and is also intolerant to amino acid milk powder. At the age of 1 and a half, she weighed only 6.5 kg, hit herself on the head when she was angry, and could not sleep properly at night. Due to malnutrition and low immunity, she suffered from repeated lung infections. Fortunately, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University used the washing flora transplantation technology to transplant the intestinal flora in the feces of healthy people into Xiaoxin's intestines. After treatment, Xiaoxin's weight increased from 6.5 kg to 9 kg in 3 months, and her height increased by 2 cm.

Why does intestinal flora imbalance cause mental disorders?

1. Brain-Gut Axis Theory

The brain-gut axis refers to the two-way connection between the brain and the intestines. An imbalance in intestinal flora can affect the normal function of the brain-gut axis and lead to abnormal development of the nervous system. Studies have shown that intestinal flora can affect the levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are closely related to emotions and behaviors. When the intestinal flora is imbalanced, it may lead to an imbalance in neurotransmitters, causing mood swings, self-harm tendencies, etc.

2. Immune system abnormalities

When the flora is imbalanced, the intestinal barrier function may be impaired, allowing pathogens and harmful substances to enter the body and trigger an immune response. This abnormal immune response includes autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Autoimmune diseases may affect the nervous system, leading to neuroinflammation and affecting the balance of neurotransmitters, thereby causing mood disorders and abnormal behaviors, including self-harm tendencies.

3. Oxidative stress

Intestinal flora imbalance may also lead to oxidative stress and produce a large number of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons that seek electrons in the body to stabilize themselves, and in the process may damage cell structures, including nerve cells. Lipid peroxidation, protein and DNA damage caused by free radicals can lead to neuroinflammation and cell death, which in turn affects mood regulation and cognitive function, leading to mood swings and self-harm behaviors.

4. Malnutrition

Intestinal flora plays an important role in food digestion, absorption and nutrient synthesis. Imbalance of flora may lead to digestion and absorption disorders, affect the synthesis of vitamins and minerals, and abnormal energy metabolism. These nutritional problems can lead to malnutrition, which in turn affects the development and function of the nervous system. Especially in the early stages of life, malnutrition may hinder the growth and differentiation of nerve cells, affect the establishment of neural networks, and increase the risk of self-harm tendencies.

How to prevent intestinal flora imbalance?

1. Eat a healthy diet

Maintaining a diversified diet and taking in adequate dietary fiber can help maintain the balance of intestinal flora. Reducing the intake of high-sugar and high-fat foods can avoid intestinal flora imbalance.

2. Exercise

Exercise can promote intestinal peristalsis and is beneficial to the balance of intestinal flora. Perform moderate-intensity exercise 3 to 5 times a week, such as walking, swimming, and yoga.

3. Maintain a good work and rest schedule

Maintaining a regular work and rest schedule and getting enough sleep can help stabilize the intestinal flora. Adults should sleep 7 to 8 hours per night, and children and adolescents should sleep 9 to 10 hours per night.

4. Take probiotics

Supplementing probiotics in moderation helps maintain the balance of intestinal flora. There are many probiotic products on the market, such as yogurt, probiotic preparations, etc.

How to prevent abnormalities in children’s nervous system?

1. Pregnancy care

During pregnancy, pay attention to nutritional intake, avoid exposure to harmful substances, maintain good living habits, and have regular prenatal checkups to promptly detect and treat abnormalities in the fetal nervous system.

2. Nutrition during infancy and childhood

Ensure adequate nutrition during infancy and childhood, especially nutrients such as protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that are essential for the development of the nervous system.

3. Early Education

Focus on early education of infants and young children to stimulate brain development. Promote the development of the nervous system through parent-child interaction, games, reading and other methods.

4. Pay attention to mental health

Pay attention to children's mental health, discover and solve psychological problems in time, cultivate good emotional regulation ability, and prevent abnormalities of the nervous system.

In summary, intestinal flora imbalance has a profound impact on children's growth, development and mental health. Paying attention to the reconstruction of intestinal microecology in early life and preventing abnormalities of the nervous system will help children grow up healthily. We should work together to create a good growth environment for children!