Inside: How Can Kids Benefit From Taking Probiotics. Collaborative post.
No matter how often you wash your child’s hands, they will likely pick up an infection sooner or later. Whether it is an ear infection, a sore throat, or some variation of gastrointestinal distress, it is a strong possibility that antibiotics may be required to clear up.
While antibiotics are necessary for wiping out bacterial infections, they typically kill some of the good bacteria naturally found in our bodies to keep us healthy, alongside the illness-causing harmful bacteria. One effective way to manage the unwanted side effects of antibiotic treatments is through probiotics.
For small children who may struggle with safely swallowing capsules, probiotic gummies are the perfect solution for an easy and delicious way to get their daily probiotic intake alongside a balanced and healthy diet.
https://unsplash.com/photos/boy-holding-green-mask-lMLG68e4wYk
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live, ‘good microorganisms, like bacteria, that help to keep our gut and digestive system healthy and functioning correctly. Many of these good bacteria, particularly those that fall into the Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium groups, are similar to the thousands of good bacteria already in our gut.
Their primary role is to help improve our digestion and ward off other, more harmful organisms that can make us sick and lead to unpleasant and unwanted symptoms.
Probiotic Types for Children
Probiotics are generally considered to be safe for healthy toddlers to consume. However, it is strongly recommended that you consult with your pediatrician about the correct strain and brand of probiotics that will suit your toddler’s needs. This is mainly because dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, allowing for extensive variability in manufacturing.
There are three leading families of microbes that are consumed as probiotics. Lactobacillus bacteria produce lactic acid from milk, helping to protect the gut from harmful or potentially dangerous bacteria. This type of probiotic is commonly used as a supplement following the treatment of antibiotics, as it helps to restore a balanced gut microbiome, especially after diarrheal episodes.
Bifidobacteria is a variant of healthy bacteria that lines the intestines and aids in breaking down food in the gut, allowing the body to absorb the necessary nutrients. Finally, Saccharomyces boulardii is a form of yeast that is available in supplement form and used as a medication to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
Each strain of probiotics benefits the body in different ways, making it a crucial step to consult a medical professional in order to gain the correct prescription based on the body’s needs.
https://unsplash.com/photos/three-jars-filled-with-different-types-of-food-JzY97tKL_oM
Natural Sources of Probiotics
Introducing probiotics through natural sources is generally considered to be safer and more accessible than using supplements. However, these natural sources could contain allergens, so it is vital to check the ingredients list of the various products before consuming them.
Yogurt is one of the most commonly known products to contain beneficial microbial colonies. Yogurt contains various strains of the Lactobacillus bacteria, which helps convert the lactose naturally found in milk into lactic acid. Thanks to its relatively bland flavor, it is a very versatile ingredient that can easily be combined with fresh fruits, honey, or granola for a healthy snack. However, plain yogurt, free of artificial flavorings, is considered best.
Other milk products, such as kefir, which is thickened and fermented to create healthy kefir grains, Indian buttermilk, made from unflavored and diluted yogurt, and viili, a Finnish milk product cultured by Lactobacillus are packed with gut-healthy probiotics.
Alternatively, you can turn to fermented foods, like kimchi, sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, and brine-cured or salt-cured pickles free of preservatives for fantastic sources of probiotics.
Benefits of Probiotics
Studies have shown that some probiotics can help prevent diarrhea, which is commonly related to antibiotic treatment plans. Pediatricians will often recommend probiotics for children completing a course of antibiotics.
Probiotics have been found to boost the immune system. They are good for the digestive system and intestinal lining as they aid in proper digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food children consume. Some studies have shown that probiotics can reduce constipation in children and reduce the occurrence of IBS and other inflammatory bowel issues.
However, the strongest evidence supporting the consumption of probiotics for children is preventing and reliving diarrhea and the various symptoms that appear alongside this debilitating infection.
https://unsplash.com/photos/sliced-fruits-on-white-ceramic-plate-uy_V12d-VXU
Precautions Worth Taking
Many healthy experts recommend getting your probiotics through food rather than supplements. This is primarily due to the fact that supplements carry a number of precautions that should be appropriately assessed and considered before being consumed.
There is no standard regulation for probiotic supplements in the US. You can typically find them as dietary supplements, food products, or drugs. Because many dietary supplements are not FDA-approved, they have the potential to carry non-regulated bacteria strains that could have harmful side effects.
Furthermore, the standard dosage does not apply to all, as the microbiome that exists within the body differs from person to person. Therefore, it is imperative to stop a probiotic should you notice any side effects developing.
Some probiotics must be stored in a safe and sterile environment or refrigerated to prevent the healthy organisms from dying. It is vital to properly read the label of your supplement to understand the correct storage needs of the product and check for any potential allergens that may be present.
Finally, probiotics cannot cure diseases or illnesses and should not be used or given as a replacement for proper medication. Any products that claim this misinformation should be avoided and reported.