Do Children's Probiotics Help With Constipation

Consume Castor Oil As A Natural Laxative

How do probiotics help with constipation?

Castor oil is a natural laxative. There is actually scientific proof that castor oil makes passing stool easier and can help with chronic constipation.

A study from 2011 reported that taking castor oil for chronic constipation helps to soften stool consistency, makes pooping easier, and gives a feeling of completely emptying your bowels.16

How Exactly Do Probiotics Help With Constipation

Our gut or GI tract is a home for over 100 trillion bacteria which is known as micro-biome. The majority of bacteria present in our large intestine are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.

They are responsible for many of important tasks, especially in digestion. But various factors like low-fiber high sugar diet, antibiotics, and other factors lead to an imbalance in the micro-biome. This in turn leads to digestive issues like constipation, food intolerance, IBS, inflammatory bowel syndrome and many others.

Probiotics are live micro-organisms similar to the ones present in our intestine. The bacteria strains present in probiotics re-colonize the intestines and restore the natural balance in the intestines.

This gut flora balance help in treating constipation in many approaches

The good bacteria produce enzymes that help in breaking down the food properly for improving digestion and absorption of vitamins and nutrients present from the food.
Forms a coating over the GI tract lining which acts as a barrier against bad bacteria colonization and pathogens.

Some probiotics produce lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids from prebiotics. This helps in lowering the pH levels of the intestine, promoting colon muscle contractions and improving bowel regularity.
Probiotics convert bound bile salts into free bile salts which prevents dehydration in colon by pulling in more water. This softens the stool and aids in elimination of stools easily and regularly.

Considerations When Taking Probiotics For Constipation

If youre considering taking probiotics to increase stool frequency, its also helpful to evaluate any and all other factors that might be contributing to the problem.

Is there anything else you can do to influence your digestive health along with taking probiotics? If medically appropriate, see if you can:

Up your water intake.
Consume more soluble fiber that will act as prebiotics for your good bacteria.

Increase your activity level.
Ask your doctor if any medications youre taking can be contributing to constipation and if there is an alternative.

While probiotics are safe for an overwhelming majority of people, those who are dealing with critical health conditions should consult a probiotic-literate healthcare professional for medical advice.

Finally, sometimes people feel temporary side effects when they begin taking a probiotic supplement. Gas, bloating, and general stomach upset can occur as the gut microbiota rebalances.

This generally subsides after a few days but if it doesnt, here are a few tips:

While its best to take probiotics on an empty stomach, you could try taking your supplement with food while your body adjusts.

Reduce the amount youre taking and gradually increase the dose.
Make sure there are no ingredients in the supplement you might be allergic to, like gluten or dairy.
Consider trying a product that contains different strains of bacteria.

Read Also: Renew Life Probiotics 30 Billion

What Is The Best Probiotic For Constipation

Those struggling with chronic constipation tend to have lower levels of the beneficial probiotic strains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium while having an increase in potentially harmful microorganisms. Choose a supplement containing multiple strains of these two types of bacteria.

When shopping for a probiotic, consider avoiding products containing gluten, dairy, soy, and yeast. If your gut is out of balance, its lining could be more permeable than its meant to be. This allows undigested molecules into the bloodstreamoften called leaky gutand gluten, dairy, soy and yeast are particularly problematic for many people with leaky gut.

Omni-Biotic Balance is a probiotic that combines six strains of beneficial bacteria specifically shown to increase frequency of bowel movements and improve stool consistency while leaving out fillers that can exacerbate digestive distress.

What Are The Signs You Need Probiotics

What To Do When Your Child Refuses Medicine!

Asthma and allergies are present in your family.

There are at least one or more mood disorders in your family

Its been a while since youve eaten.

The antibiotics you have taken have been working.

The only thing you can do is get sick.

acne and psoriasis are two of the conditions that you suffer from.

Also Check: Which Is Better Prebiotics Or Probiotics

Exclusively Breast Fed Babies: Causes Of Constipation

If your baby is constipated and breast feeding, it could be due to something in moms diet. If your baby is breast fed you may consider changing your diet, as your child may be allergic to something you are consuming .

While breast fed babies usually dont have constipation because breast milk is easily digestible, and even considered a natural laxative, it can still happen. But it usually happens around 4 months of age when babies go through a major growth spurt and sleep regression, or after the age of 6 months when other foods such as rice cereals, cows milk, or low fiber foods are introduced.

If your breast fed baby has pellet like stools, arches their back, and strains while going they may be constipated.

Probiotics For Constipation In Children: Do They Really Work

The use of probiotics for constipation in children has garnered a lot of support from experts. A lot of studies have touted the benefits that probiotics can provide to the human digestive system. However, in the past few years, experts have found out that prebiotics may be an even better option when it comes to solving digestive-related problems.

Their Effect On Children

Children have been known to suffer from various digestive illnesses, mainly because they are not as concerned as adults when it comes to the cleanliness or safety of the food they eat. Constipation, or difficulty in defecating, is one common problem encountered by kids. It can be a minor condition that eventually passes or may be a sign of a more serious illness.

The use of probiotics for constipation in children has so far not revealed any adverse effect. Probiotics are mainly considered safe. However, parents who wish to give their kids probiotics to regulate their bowel movements should always be there to supervise. Better yet, consult a doctor first before giving kids probiotics or anything for their digestive problems.

Probiotics Help To Relieve Constipation And Its Symptoms

Can Probiotics Help With Constipation?

Apart from helping to soften stool and increase the number of times a week that you poop, probiotics can help with the complications of constipation.

Suffering from infrequent bowel movements can make going to the bathroom very difficult and it can cause varying accompanying symptoms. However, regularly taking high-quality probiotics can help to ease the pain while passing stool and resolve stomach bloating, gas, and stomach spasms .

The journal Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica reported that probiotics helped patients to pass stool more frequently in the week. In addition, taking probiotics also helped to reduce bloating, abdominal cramping, and the sensation of incomplete emptying. The study found that probiotics with L. casei Shirota bacteria were the most beneficial for helping constipation.8

Research into easing constipation symptoms in the elderly has also shown that probiotics can treat constipation. The Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics published a systematic review of 9 studies into probiotics for treating constipation symptoms in older people.

The study concluded that probiotics improved constipation in elderly people by 1040% compared to placebo controls in which no probiotic was used.9

You May Like: Oral Probiotics For Dental Health

Digestive Enzyme Intensive Bowel Support

Digestive Enzyme is one of the premium brands any one rely on because it is specifically designed to support long-term digestive support. The manufacturer claims that this supplement will provide comfort from abdominal bloating and other discomforts within 2 weeks.

However, this supplement has taken second place because it has only 1 probiotic strain B30. It is a unique patented probiotic strain which has proven results as it can withstand harsh stomach 10 times more than other supplements.

This supplement contains 1 billion live cells of BC 30 .

Apart from this probiotic strain, this supplement also contains enzymes Protease 30,000 HUT, amylase 450 DU and Lipase 30 FIP. These enzymes break down the fat, proteins and carbohydrates. This in turn reduces bloating, indigestion and abdominal pain.

Benefits of taking this supplement include

Increasing normal micro-biome in the GI tract and help in digestion process.

Improve digestive health.
Boosts immune system.
Improves proper absorption of minerals and nutrients from the food consumed.

The capsules of Digestive Enzyme dont contain artificial flavors and colors. It can be stored at room temperature so refrigeration is not required.

Note: It contains soy and wheat so avoid this supplement if you allergic to gluten. Kids, pregnant and nursing women should avoid taking this tablet.

Things We Loved:

Do Probiotics Help Form Stool

Researchers found that probiotics slowed gut transit time by 12 percent by pooling the results of the trials. An increase of one bowel movement per week was achieved by 4 hours. The stool was softer, and it was easier to pass it. It was found that probiotics containing Bifidobacterium were most effective.

Also Check: Probiotics For Yeast Infection Treatment

What Evidence Suggests Probiotics Help In Constipation

The best way to measure the effectiveness of a drug is by putting it against others in the market designed for the same purpose. Up to now, many people who use probiotic-based medications have reported better results than those using stool softeners and laxatives when dealing with constipation.

People using the latter medications report up to 50% unsatisfactory rates, making probiotics the best choice.

Another research by Kings College London highlighted the role of probiotics in stopping constipation. The study used a group of two people, with one side having probiotic treatment while the other group a placebo. The results showed a significant contrast between those who took a placebo and the ones with probiotics.

The experiment showed that those with probiotics as a treatment have an improved bowel movement of up to 1.3 times. Additionally, Bifidobacterium is the most effective bacteria to deal with cases of constipation among children and adults.

However, before putting your child in a probiotic mini-study to check its effectiveness in dealing with constipation, you must talk to your doctor as the trials for the treatment have not reached the levels done for other medications approved by the FDA.

Further studies are ongoing to decide which bacteria are the most effective when it comes to constipation.

What Is The Role Of Probiotics In The Treatment Of Pediatric Constipation

Although some evidence suggests that gastrointestinal flora is important in gut motility, no evidence suggests that gut florae are different in children with constipation than gut florae in healthy controls. While both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been shown to increase stool frequency and decrease stool consistency in healthy adults, there is little evidence that probiotics are effective in treating constipation in either adults or children. However, a study that investigated whether oral supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 during the first 3 months of life can reduce the onset of colic, gastroesophageal reflux, and constipation in term newborns reported that prophylactic use of L reuteri DSM 17938 during the first 3 months of life reduced the onset of functional gastrointestinal disorders and reduced private and public costs for the management of this condition.

Recommended Reading: D Mannose Cranberry With Probiotics

Remedies For Baby Constipation

There are several remedies you can use to help your baby relieve their constipation.

If breast fed, change moms diet to remove any potential allergens.
If formula fed, change formula.
If eating solids, try giving your baby high fiber foods such as broccoli, pears, prunes, peaches, skinless apples.

Offer high fiber cooked grains, such as oats, barley, and quinoa.
Increase the amount of fluids you give to your child. Often lack of fluids is the cause for constipation.
Give baby exercise. If walking, take baby out for a walk. If not, move their legs with a bicycle motion.

Gently massage babys tummy several times a day.

What Is Known About The Relationship Between Probiotics And Colic

The available scientific evidence to date consists largely of small, preliminary studies. Most were conducted among breastfeeding infants who had colic symptoms for at least three days a week for at least two weeks.

The main findings showed:

That giving the babies a daily dose or multiple doses of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 seemed to reduce crying in infants.
That giving the babies a daily dose of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 seemed to reduce crying and irritability in breastfed infants with colic symptoms, but not among formula-fed infants with colic symptoms.
That giving the babies a daily dose of Lactobacillus reuteri seemed to improve infantile colic symptoms when compared with no treatment, simethicone , or placebo . However, this study included only 86 infants. Moreover, it was unclear whether the active ingredient in the probiotic product contributed to its effectiveness.

That giving the babies a daily dose of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 seemed to reduce crying and improve infantile colic symptoms when compared with a placebo. Moreover, it was unclear whether or not the active ingredient in the probiotic product contributed to its effectiveness.
Bone mineral content appeared to increase over time among infants who received Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, but it did not change among infants who did not receive treatment. However, this study included only 24 infants.

Donât Miss: What Does It Mean When You Keep Having Heartburn

Don’t Miss: Do Probiotics Help Lymphocytic Colitis

Drink More Water To Poop Easier

Increasing your fluid intake can help to soften stool and kickstart your digestion.

According to a review published in 2017, water or increased fluid intake can help to prevent and treat functional constipation.14 Ideally, you should increase your water intake by 2 to 4 glasses per day to help relieve constipation symptoms and stay properly hydrated.

Probiotics For Gut And Immune Health

Can probiotics help my IBS-C? How should I take them?

A huge portion of your immune system is in your gastrointestinal tract. The same is true for your dog.

Viruses and bacteria can enter your dogs body through their mouth. By helping to maintain a healthy balance of probiotics in their gut, you can help support both your dogs immune system and a healthy intestinal tract, among other things.

Wondering how to incorporate probiotics into your dogs healthcare?

First, lets start with the basics.

You May Like: Can Align Probiotic Cause Nausea

You May Like: Life 9 Probiotic Young Living

Treating Constipation In Adults

In an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a Harvard University team compiled results of several small studies and came to the conclusion that on average, probiotics slowed gut transit time by 12.4 hours, increased the number of weekly bowel movements by 1.3, and helped soften stools, making them easier to pass. Probiotics that contained Bifidobacterium appeared to be the most effective. In short, the analysis of these particular studies found that probiotics do have a positive effect on the symptoms of constipation.

Frequency Of Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence was reported in five RCTs . Based on the pooled results of two RCTs , there was no significant effect of L. casei rhamnosus Lcr35 compared with placebo on the frequency of fecal incontinence at the end of intervention no significant heterogeneity was found . No other trials reported significant differences between the probiotics and the placebo groups in the frequency of fecal incontinence. Of note, in the study by Sadeghzadeh et al., fecal incontinence was assessed only in patients who had these symptoms before the intervention. In this subgroup, no significant difference between the control and probiotic groups in the frequency of fecal incontinence was found at the end of the intervention .

You May Like: Probiotics For Low Stomach Acid

Additional Benefits Of Taking Probiotics

In summary, probiotics are powerful dietary supplements to help improve your digestion. Whether you have constipation or diarrhea, adding a high-quality probiotic to your dietary supplements could lead to big improvements and health benefits.

At the same time, it is important to remember that probiotics are not the magic pill. In addition, we recommend you eat plenty of dietary fiber , drink plenty of water each day and follow a balanced diet. If your digestive issues persist or worsen, consult a healthcare practitioner to dig deeper into potential causes!

Which Probiotics Are Best For Constipation

Constipation can be very distressing for both parent and child. Research has found that probiotics could help constipation in children, particularly by helping them go to the toilet more often .

There are two probiotics for constipation . These are Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. One or both strains are found in:

Ultimate Flora Kids ,

Although this is in capsule form, the manufacturers state that the capsule can be opened and the contents can be mixed with cold food or drink.

Unfortunately, theres not enough evidence that probiotics can prevent tummy bugs before they happen .

Of course, the usual advice to treat diarrhoea must still be followed. This includes plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration.

Signs of dehydration include less urine than usual , darker colour urine, being less responsive and alert or a sunken fontanelle .

Rehydration drinks such as Dioralyte may be suitable for some children, especially those over 5 years.

Breastfed babies should continue to be fed and may need extra feeds.

Bottle-fed babies should be offered sips of cooled boiled water in between their feeds.

Seek medical advice for all babies under 12 months, children under 5 years with any signs of dehydration, children over 5 years with ongoing signs of dehydration, children or babies with bloody diarrhoea or if diarrhoea continues for more than 7 days.

Do Children’s Probiotics Help With Constipation