SATURDAY 3 OCT
10:00 – 10:30
How Childhood Microbiome Development Shapes Lifelong Health and Disease Risk
About the session
Longevity science often focuses on interventions later in life — diet, supplements, exercise, and metabolic optimization. However, growing evidence suggests that many biological systems shaping lifelong health are established much earlier. In this talk, molecular biologist Nora Cavani explores how the gut microbiome develops during childhood and why this early period plays a critical role in immune development and long-term disease risk. Emerging research shows that disruptions to early microbial colonization — influenced by factors such as antibiotics, delivery mode, and diet — may contribute to the rising prevalence of allergies and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Drawing on recent discoveries in microbiome science, this session will explore how supporting healthy microbiome development in childhood may help reduce disease risk and shape healthier long-term outcomes.
Speaker
Nora CavaniCEO at Alba Health
Nora Cavani is an award-winning leader and speaker in gut health and how gut health can help reverse eczema, allergies and other immune conditions. Nora is a former BCG manager and at 27 years old, she reversed her severe eczema with diet - she then developed a next-generation gut health test to reduce and prevent immune conditions like allergies and eczema.
Today one person out of 3 suffers from allergic diseases and that has tripled in the past decade. She partnered with Prof. Willem de Vos (900 publications in gut microbiome science), worked with 4 universities and received 3 awards for this break-through.
Nora raised 5 million EUR from VCs, the Founder of Oura ($11 billion valuation) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, was featured in Forbes, BBC, Daily Mail and spoke on international stages like the World Economic Forum, Mindvalley, and Bryan Johnson’s Don’t Die Summit. She won 4 awards of which: Europe’s Female Founder of the Year at Websummit in 2024, Probiota Pioneer 2025 in microbiome science and Sweden’s Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2026.
Your host on the Impact Stage
STAGE HOSTEmil Thorup
Emil is a podcast host, TV presenter, and entrepreneur. In recent years, he has become a prominent figure in the field of longevity in Denmark. He has spent several years personally exploring and testing the practices and recommendations of various experts and researchers in the longevity space. This journey has included periods of intense focus on health and longevity, often pushing the limits of what’s considered a balanced lifestyle. Today, Emil has found a more sustainable approach—one where health, social life, and personal well-being are in harmony, creating a more holistic and fulfilling way of living.
Øksnehallen, Halmtorvet 11, 1700 Copenhagen · All sessions are first come, first served.
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