Dog owners have long known the joys of having a furry friend by their side. But recent research from Sinai Health and the University of Toronto unveils an intriguing benefit that might surprise even the most devoted dog lovers: growing up with a dog may improve gut health!

A groundbreaking study published in *Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology* highlights that children who lived with dogs between the ages of 5 and 15 experienced significant positive changes in their gut microbiome, gut permeability, and even various blood biomarkers. This exposure during crucial developmental years appears to be linked to a lower risk of developing Crohn's disease, a challenging inflammatory bowel condition.

Crohn's disease is on the rise, particularly among children under 10, with its incidence having doubled since 1995. The condition can severely impact a person's quality of life and incurs an annual economic burden of approximately $5.4 billion in Canada alone. With findings from this study, researchers hope to shed light on how environmental influences—like canine companionship—affect the onset of this complex disease.

Lead researchers Kenneth Croitoru and Williams Turpin set out to unravel the connections between various environmental factors and the likelihood of developing Crohn's. Croitoru, who is an expert in gastroenterology and a clinician-scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, emphasizes the significance of understanding these connections. "Identifying those at risk enables us to take preventive measures," he notes.

While the precise mechanics of how living with a dog influences gut health remain unclear, the study does highlight intriguing patterns. For instance, researchers found that not only does dog ownership correlate with a healthier gut microbiome, but living in larger families during infancy also appears to reduce the risk of Crohn's disease. In contrast, exposure to birds has been linked to an increased risk of developing the condition.

The Genetic, Environmental and Microbial (GEM) Project, the largest of its kind, is driving this research. Coordinated at Mount Sinai Hospital since 2008, the GEM Project has gathered extensive medical and lifestyle data from over 5,000 healthy individuals who are first-degree relatives of those with Crohn's. This initiative seeks to pinpoint possible triggers and predictors of the disease.

As the study progresses, researchers have already noted differences in microbiomes and other biomarkers between those who go on to develop Crohn's and those who do not. Recently, another exciting advancement has been made by clinician-scientist Sun-Ho Lee, who developed an "integrative risk score" to predict Crohn's risk with remarkable accuracy using machine learning.

While identifying risk factors is a vital first step, the ultimate goal is intervention. Croitoru and his team are researching potential strategies to prevent Crohn's disease, such as adding specific dietary supplements designed to nurture a healthy microbiome.

As Croitoru succinctly puts it, "By harnessing a blend of genetic, environmental, and microbial insights, we can craft personalized strategies that could dramatically lower the incidence of Crohn's disease."

So, if you want to better your gut health, consider welcoming a dog into your home! Your gut may thank you later. 🐾✨