Probiotics For Kids With Constipation
There are many reasons why a child may suffer from regularity issues, such as a low-fibre and/or high-sugar diet, dehydration, medications, and stress/anxiety. The NHS states 3 or fewer bowel movements a week may mean your child has constipation7. Rather than laxatives, opting for a probiotic can be a good natural option that may help in numerous ways, including aiding the movement of the colon, known as peristalsis.
One of the most researched probiotic strains for occasional constipation is Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12®, which has also been researched in children8. In clinical trials, individuals who took B. lactis BB-12® had significantly more bowel movements per week9 without causing loose stools10. The strain Bacillus coagulans Unique-IS2 has also been shown to reduce occasional constipation and straining in children25.
Another strain, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V®, has been shown to improve stool consistency in young children28. In one clinical trial, children who took B. breve M-16V® for 12 weeks had a softer stool consistency compared to the control group. If after a few days your child has still not had a bowel movement or they often suffer from regularity issues, then consult with your childs doctor.
Practitioners may also like to read Best Probiotics for Constipation on the Probiotic Professionals site.
Probiotics For Kids On Antibiotics
Unfortunately, taking antibiotics can wipe out lots of friendly bacteria as well as bad bacteria, this can lead to a microbial imbalance.11 If your child needs to take antibiotics and is already taking a daily probiotic supplement, you can continue giving them this but just leave a two-hour gap between the antibiotic and probiotic.
If they are not already taking a probiotic supplement, or if its more convenient, then alongside the medication you could give them a specific probiotic designed to be taken with antibiotics. There is a unique combination of extensively researched probiotic strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell 52 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell 11, which have been trialled alongside antibiotics and shown to survive to reach the gut alive 12.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG® is a very well-known probiotic strain which has been trialled for antibiotic associated diarrhoea . In one clinical trial, children who took L. rhamnosus GG® had significantly increased stool consistency and reduced stool frequency during antibiotic therapy by the 10th day compared to the control group29.
For more information on this topic, you can read Probiotics with Antibiotics
Are There Probiotics For Colic
There is just one recommended probiotic strain called Lactobacillus Reuteri, which has evidence in relation to helping babies and young children suffering from colic . This probiotic is found in the supplement:
Research has shown that this probiotic may increase the effectiveness of colic treatments, decrease colic symptoms, reduce daily crying and unsettled times . The evidence is strongest for breastfed babies and there needs to be more research for formula-fed babies.
There is not strong enough evidence that probiotics can prevent colic before it starts.
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Side Effects Related To Probiotics
Most people who use probiotics do not experience side effects, and even if they do, the effects are usually not diverse.
The harmful effects of probiotics can also emerge due to people suffering from chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, high blood pressure, neonates, asthmatic patients, stomach ulcers. These special groups of people should consult with their doctors before using the supplements to know whether they can reduce their dosages to accommodate their conditions.
Supplements could also cause harm if they are consumed after expiry, poor storage conditions that could tamper with the quality of the bacterial strain, such as storing in poorly ventilated areas, storing above or below recommended temperature or in damp areas.
Poorly coated probiotic supplements may also cause more harm than good as viable counts of bacteria, when exposed to a poor environment, tend to die faster than multiply.
According to a CDC review paper, some of these effects may include:
The stomach is temporarily bloating with gas after ingesting the probiotic supplement.
How the bowel constipates, and users get excessive thirst from ingesting yeast-based probiotics.
Culturelle Daily Probiotic Digestive Health Capsules
Culturelle Daily Probiotic comes in capsule form. Each serving contains 10 billion lactobacillus sporogenes and 5 mg of plant-derived calcium.
It also helps promote healthy intestinal flora, prevent occasional diarrhea due to antibiotic use or mild cases of irritable bowel syndrome, maintain general well-being, relieve occasional constipation, and improve overall health.
Image courtesy Hyperbiotics
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The Best Foods For Immunity
Knowing the best foods that can help boost immunity can help you meal-plan for your child, whether thats mealtime or an afterschool snack. Here are some important foods to cycle in, according to Zumpano.
Zinc, the immunity linchpin
One of the most important minerals that can help a kids immune system is zinc, Zumpano says. Its typically found in protein-based foods. So oysters, red meat and poultry are some of the best sources.
Beans and nuts are also a good source for zinc, she says, though the animal-based foods will deliver more of the mineral.
According to the National Institute of Health , the recommended daily intake of zinc for kids is:
- Birth to 6 months: 2 mg
- Infants 712 months: 3 mg
- Children 13 years: 3 mg
- Children 48 years: 5 mg
- Children 913 years: 8 mg
- Teens 1418 years : 11 mg
- Teens 1418 years : 9 mg
But be careful the NIH also notes its possible to have too much zinc, which can result in nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. According to the NIH, the upper limits of daily zinc intake are:
- Birth to 6 months: 4 mg
- Infants 712 months: 5 mg
- Children 13 years: 7 mg
- Children 48 years: 12 mg
- Children 913 years: 23 mg
- Teens 1418 years: 34 mg
Probiotics and prebiotics for a gut-check
Not only do a lot of yogurts contain probiotics, Zumpano points out, but thats a popular food with kids.
Nuts and seeds, a power-packed snack
Fruits and vegetables
Do Probiotics Help Your Immune System
Foods that affect gut health may help with more than just digestive ailments. Heres what the latest research says.
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Between the upcoming flu season, seasonal allergies, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are lots of reasons to give your immune system a boost. For that big job, more people are turning to a tiny resource.
Probiotics are living microorganisms, and you already have some of them in your body. Others come from food, specifically fermented foods such as yogurt, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health .
Probiotics are sometimes called good bacteria: They can help your body digest food and even fight cells that cause disease. Probiotics have shown promise in helping ease diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, and periodontal disease, according to the NCCIH. Research about other benefits of these beneficial bacteria is ongoing, and one area of particular interest is how they impact immunity.
Read Also: Can You Give A Newborn Probiotics
Health Benefits Of Probiotics
There are numerous challenges in determining whether probiotics can help in a particular condition, and much of the uncertainty about whether over-the-counter products do anything lies in the difference between products tested in clinical trials and those on the market.
Firstly, there are many different species of probiotic, and within each species there may be a number of different strains. These different strains each typically patented by their developer may have different effects, regardless of species.
trials that are funded by the manufacturer of a product may be biased
What’s tested in clinical trials may be a single strain or a combination of two, three or more. Strains may enhance or negate the effects of each other. That means the findings in a given trial are pretty much restricted to that exact formulation, and can’t necessarily be generalised to similar strains or species, and certainly not ‘probiotics’ in general . Nor can you take a few different strains that each seem to do something and combine them for a mega-probiotic cure-all.
Running clinical trials is expensive and time-consuming, so those that are conducted tend to be small and short-term, most strains only have a single clinical trial, and trials that are funded by the manufacturer of a product may be biased.
Read more: Protein powders do they work?
Are Probiotics Safe For Children
From research investigating probiotics in children, no serious side effects were reported from taking a daily probiotic supplement but some mild side effects were evident .
However, they are not suitable for all children, including those with medical conditions that cause weakened immune systems. Please talk to a GP or dietician if you are concerned about whether your child should be taking one.
It is also important to highlight that we should be trying to encourage our children to eat a variety of plant-based items including fruit and vegetables as part of their everyday diet to support their overall gut health.
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Immune Boosting Foods For Kids
Garlic
One of the best ways to boost and strengthen your childs immune system is to give them garlic. This amazing food contains anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Garlic stimulates the immune cells and increases antibody production. It also contains the compound sulphur which has potent antioxidant properties.
TIP: You can add garlic into your childs favourite meals such as the sauces of pasta dishes, spaghetti bolognese. You can also add it to hummus to be used as a dip for those carrot fingers.
When adding garlic into your cooked meals, always add it at the very end. This way you dont destroy too much of the immune enhancing properties.
Berries
Berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants and immune boosting nutrients. The beautiful and bright red, blue and purple colours get their pigment from the potent antioxidant called anthocyanin. They also contain vast amounts of vitamin A, as well as vitamin C, both of which bolster your childs immune system.
TIP: Add a handful of mixed berries to your childs breakfast oats or morning cereal. A delicious snack idea could be a handful of mixed berries stirred through a bowl of plain yoghurt topped with a dash of maple syrup. You can even try and mix in some flaxseed meal for added nutrition.
Green leafy vegetables
Green leafy vegetables are exceptionally rich in immune boosting nutrients. One of these is iron which is important for the production of white blood cells and antibodies.
Viridian Synerbio Childrens Powder 1490 For 50g Best For Added Immunity Support
Suitable for: 1-14-year-olds
Type: Powder
This probiotic powder for kids features two billion probiotics in four strains of good gut bacteria.
It also contains added prebiotics and vitamin C, which sets it aside from many others on this list and helps your little ones in numerous ways including by supporting their immune system.
As an extra plus point, its made in the UK and is free from gluten, wheat, lactose, sugar, preservatives and artificial colourings.
Available from:Viridian, Naturismo and
Latest deals from trusted retailers
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The Best Probiotic Foods For Kids
For the best probiotic foods for kids, there are several things to take into consideration. While we use one name probiotics to describe these friendly gut bacteria, there are many different kinds. Probiotics come in various strains, and different strains have different benefits.
We have less concrete research on the benefits of probiotic foods for kids than for supplements, but theres no harm in serving them! Im sharing my favorite probiotic foods for kids below, including the best picky eater choices.
Which Are Best For Baby
The best baby probiotic supplements are drops or powdered sachets.
-
is a powder that can be placed on the nipple before breastfeeding
All are suitable from birth onwards.
Biogai and Biokult Infantis can be mixed with formula or breast milk. Optibac can be mixed with food or drinks, including formula. All three contain Lactobacillus strains which may be helpful for colic or constipation.
Best Probiotics for Toddlers
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Tips For Boosting Immunity With Foods
- Choose a range of healthy foods. Don’t get hung up on this month’s hottest superfood, like a berry or grain that supposedly works miracles, McDaniel says. It may be healthy, but it’s not going to be a cure-all. Instead, offer kids a range of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- More isn’t better. If one kiwi is good, that doesn’t mean your kid should eat 10. Mega-dosing with foods wont help. Once your kid’s body has what it needs, the rest gets wasted. It’s like pumping gas into a tank that’s already full.
- Know the limits. Remember, no food can prevent colds and flu. No food can cure them, either. So if your kid gets sick, it’s not a sign that you didnt give them a diet that was healthy enough. It’s just life.
- Go for whole foods. Sure, orange juice has vitamin C, but your kid is better off with an orange instead. It has vitamin C and a lot more. “You get a lot more nutrients from the whole food than you would from a juice or supplement,” says McDaniel says. There are lots of healthy natural chemicals in foods that we haven’t isolated in pills or juices — or that we even know about yet.
The Absolute Best Probiotics For Kids
In todays world of online google research, social media opinions, and blogs , there is A LOT of controversy when it comes to raising our kids, including what the best probiotics for kids may be.
There is a To-Do list for EVERYTHING! And Dos and Donts for everything else. We are constantly bombarded with what our kids should or should not eat or drink, what vitamins are the best, when they should be potty trained, what type of schooling is best, what snacks are best, what kind of milk they should drink, how much sleep they should get, how much screen-time is okay, and so much.
I even devoted whole posts to organic foods for kids and getting our kids to eat veggies because we are all so worried about these things!
So I thought I would take some time to narrow down a really important issue so that you arent deciding between 25 different options. While probiotics are often touted as potentially beneficial for adults, researchers have also found that probiotics are beneficial for children as well.
Recommended Reading: What Does A Prebiotic And Probiotic Do
Will My Child Have Any Side Effects
Your child may experience mild side effects when starting probiotics, including bloating, flatulence, constipation, or diarrhea. This will only continue for the first few days of probiotic therapy.
These symptoms may occur as the digestive system is rebalancing to favor the good bacteria that is in the supplements. After a few days, the symptoms will fade. If they are bothersome, reduce your child’s dosage and increase it back up gradually.
The 15 Best Probiotics And Their Benefits
Making tummy troubles a thing of the past is something we all wish for, but did you know that youâre less likely to experience stomach issues when you add probiotics to your diet? Thatâs because these live microorganisms help bring balance between good and bad bacteria in your gut. People with inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea issues can really benefit from taking probiotic wellness supplements or eating food with probiotics. Plus, thereâs no ârightâ age to start adding them into your routine either â kids can also benefit greatly from probiotics.
Weâve gathered what our Grove members rated as the best probiotics , so you can make an informed decision on which one is right for you. Before you begin taking any supplement for your health, double check with your doctor first to make sure they give you the green light to go ahead.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options.
This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
If youâre wondering what the best probiotics are in supplement form, check out our list above of the best probiotics for women and for men.
Read Also: Are Probiotics Good For Infants
Your Child’s Gut Microbiome
Lovebug Tiny Tummies Probiotics
The Lovebug Tiny Tummies Probiotics are little flavorless packets that can be added to cold foods or drinks. Thats right moms. Mix this up in a sippy cup, and its ready to go with no fuss, mess, pills to chew, or anything else.
Other benefits are that this probiotic powder is sugar-free, and has 1 gram of fiber. Each packet contains 15 billion CFU of healthy bacteria to help your childs digestive tract. It too has prebiotics in the form of FOS. It is also free of GMOs, gluten, sugar, nuts, and soy.
Lovebug Tiny Tummies is produced by a woman-owned company in New York whose goal is to improve the lives of babies and children. It provides eight different probiotic types, including a super-strain of bacteria designed just for kids.
In addition, the individual-sized packets make it easy to take this probiotic supplement on the road. Like other probiotics, it is best to store it in the fridge for optimal health of the product. Although the manufacturer states that refrigeration is not necessary, a little extra protection cannot hurt.
Active Ingredients
B. infantis, B. lactis, L. rhamnosus GG, L. plantarum, B. longum, L. casei, L. paracasei, L. gasseri, Chicory, and Fructooligosaccharides .
Issues
Check out the best infant probiotics to start your baby off on the right track.
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