Probiotics from Gates
Bill Gates is preparing to "hack" the microbiome by 2030
Yulia Krasilnikova, Hi-tech+
Microbiome disorders lead to developmental delays and obesity in millions of children around the world. The solution may be microbial biotherapy – a new trend on which the co-founder of Microsoft is betting. Universal probiotics will surpass popular yogurts in effectiveness, but they will cost an order of magnitude cheaper.
"Hacking" the microbiome
About 150 million (22.2%) children under the age of five are retarded in development because they do not receive enough nutrients with food or face infections. At the same time, 38 million (5.6%) are diagnosed with obesity.
According to Business Insider, problems are most often associated with a violation of the microbiome – a complex "cocktail" of bacteria, viruses and fungi that inhabit the intestines.
In recent years, the microbiome has been investigated more often, and numerous yogurts with probiotics have appeared on the market, which allegedly help "improve the microflora." Fermented foods such as kimchi, kombucha and kefir have also become popular.
However, Bill Gates is confident that soon scientists will develop a more effective biotherapy that will improve the quality of life of millions of people around the world. Together with his wife Melinda, the billionaire has been investing in this area for more than 10 years.
"No one expects a breakthrough, but I am sure that our approach to nutrition will change soon," Gates is quoted as saying by Business Insider.
"Hacking" the microbiome will allow children to get maximum nutrients from foods without the risk of obesity and developmental delays. "Even if they get enough [calories], some form of inflammation in the intestines prevents assimilation and affects development," the Microsoft co–founder emphasizes.
The new type of biotherapy will contain more complex symbiotic strains of bacteria than in conventional yogurts. Products in the form of a powder or a drink will be cheap – no more than 10 cents per serving.
The formula of proper nutrition
Eventually, Gates hopes, scientists will be able to find the perfect nutrition formula for most people.
"There are many myths – try this, eat that, but already in this decade we will solve the riddle of proper nutrition," the philanthropist predicts.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is ready to allocate $100 thousand to the developers of microbial therapy for the first phase of trials. If the tests are successful, the organization will allocate $1 million for further research.
The fund has previously invested in Evivo powder containing probiotics. The substance must be mixed with breast milk for feeding infants. The product has already been tested in Bangladesh – children under 6 months old who were diagnosed with exhaustion participate in the experiment.
According to Gates, it is obesity and impaired nutrient absorption that will become the main challenges that humanity will face in the next 20-30 years.
He noted that nutrition problems are on a par with global problems such as the spread of tuberculosis and HIV.
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