Are Probiotics Safe For Kids Heres What You Need To Know
You may have passed them in the health food aisle at your local grocery store or seen a reference to them in your favorite healthy living blog probiotics.
Many adults use these supplements to help regulate their digestive systems. Some claim that probiotics can help with conditions like eczema and even yeast infections.
But probiotics dont always work the same for children.
Probiotics are useful for keeping your digestive tract healthy, says Dr. Joy Drass, pediatrician atGeisinger Port Matilda. But its important to know which probiotics you can give to your child, since they may not work the same way they do in adults.
Maintain And Improve Gut Integrity
The digestive tract is protected by a thin wall of cells called the gut barrier. This wall allows beneficial particles to pass from the intestines to the bloodstream while keeping partially digested food or disease-causing particles from slipping through.
When the gut barrier is damaged or inflamed, proteins and other bacteria may leak through the barrier. This is known as increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome.
More research is needed to understand why this happens. Evidence shows that the integrity of the gut barrier can be affected by genetics, stress, alcohol use and may be disrupted by poor diet and certain medications.
One study of 23 men showed that probiotic supplements helped improve the stability of the gut wall. Omni-Biotic Stress Release contains specific probiotic bacterial strains that support a strong gut barrier.
The Benefits Of Probiotics Bacteria
In a society of anti-bacterial warfare, who would have thought that anyone would tout the benefits of bacteria? Living microorganisms found in yogurt and other cultured foods may help improve your body’s bacterial environment inside and out. They’re called probiotics, a name that means “for life.”
More and more people are using probiotic products to treat or improve illnesses or to maintain overall well-being. In fact, a 2017 report estimated annual global sales of probiotic supplements at $3.7 billion in 2016, and that is expected to rise to $17.4 billion by 2027.
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Side Effects Of Probiotics
Probiotics may trigger some allergic reactions, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and could cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, flatulence or bloating in the first few days after taking them. The clinic cautions that it may take a little trial and error to find the best probiotic for you. If you don’t notice any benefits from a product after a few weeks, try another product with a different bacteria strain.
Also, Harvard Health Publishing recommends taking probiotics at the end of a meal to ease issues like loose stool.
Given that probiotics are already in the body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered to be safe, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But people with weakened immune systems or those who’ve had a surgery need to approach probiotics with caution and consult their physicians.
Probiotics And Vaginal Health
Probiotics may also be of use in maintaining urogenital health. Like the intestinal tract, the vagina is a finely balanced ecosystem. The dominant Lactobacilli strains normally make it too acidic for harmful microorganisms to survive. But the system can be thrown out of balance by a number of factors, including antibiotics, spermicides, and birth control pills. Probiotic treatment that restores the balance of microflora may be helpful for such common female urogenital problems as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, and urinary tract infection.
Many women eat yogurt or insert it into the vagina to treat recurring yeast infections, a “folk” remedy for which medical science offers limited support. Oral and vaginal administration of Lactobacilli may help in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, although there isn’t enough evidence yet to recommend it over conventional approaches. Probiotic treatment of urinary tract infections is under study.
Probiotics are generally considered safe they’re already present in a normal digestive system although there’s a theoretical risk for people with impaired immune function. Be sure the ingredients are clearly marked on the label and familiar to you or your health provider. There’s no way to judge the safety of unidentified mixtures.
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Psoriasis And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
In 2013, found evidence that Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 could benefit people with conditions such as psoriasis and chronic fatigue syndrome.
This specific type of bacteria is often included in supplements to fortify the digestive system.
Probiotics are available as supplements, though there is not yet enough evidence to prove that a specific brand or type will help with a particular condition.
The Food and Drug Administration for medical purposes. However, they do not consider probiotic supplements to be medication and so do not monitor claims about probiotic contents. A person cannot be sure exactly what a product contains. Also, it is not always clear how long a probiotic stays active in the body. As a result, a person cannot be sure how effective any product is likely to be or which condition it may help with.
Probiotics are likely to be safe for most people, but there are some points to consider before using them or increasing the intake.
The note that while probiotics are likely safe for those in good health, these bacteria may pose a risk to people with weakened immune systems or other health issues.
These people may face a risk of:
Irritable Or Inflammatory Bowel
review concluded that a multi-strain probiotic might improve IBS symptoms. The researchers called for further investigations into whether strains of Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium bacteria could play a role in future therapies.
A different 2019 found that probiotics did not consistently support the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, except possibly for one type of the disease: ulcerative colitis.
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How Safe Are Probiotics
Because microbes used as probiotics already exist naturally in your body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered safe. They may trigger allergic reactions, and may also cause mild stomach upset, diarrhea, or flatulence and bloating for the first few days after starting to take them.
There are certain people who need to use caution when using probiotic supplements. There is a risk of infection in some people. These people include those who have:
- A weakened immune system .
- A critical illness.
Caution should also be used when giving probiotics to very sick infants.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement.
What Types Of Bacteria Are In Probiotics
Probiotics may contain a variety of microorganisms. The most common are bacteria that belong to groups called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Other bacteria may also be used as probiotics, and so may yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii.
Different types of probiotics may have different effects. For example, if a specific kind of Lactobacillus helps prevent an illness, that doesnât necessarily mean that another kind of Lactobacillus or any of the Bifidobacterium probiotics would do the same thing.
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Reduce The Severity Of Certain Allergies And Eczema
The gut houses the majority of the immune system, which is directly related to allergies. Keeping the digestive tract healthy has been of interest in helping relieve allergies and skin conditions like eczema.
In many studies that used the probiotic strains of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium among adults, positive effects have been shown, including reductions in symptoms and in the prevalence of eczema.
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Probiotics For Acne: Do They Work How To Use Them And More
April 2, 2020 By Chris Barry
- Numerous studies have demonstrated probiotics aid with many health functions including acne.
- Probiotics are most often taken orally, either though certain foods or by taking supplements, but they are also formulated into some creams.
- The link between a healthy gut and healthy skin is well established.
- Having a proper balance of gut flora has been shown to reduce acne breakouts.
Theres been a lot of discussion lately about probiotics being a potential lethal weapon in the fight against acne. But is there any merit to these claims? Can the right balance of gut flora really keep acne breakouts at bay, or is it all just hype? Read on to learn the facts about the effects probiotics have on the skin.
Contents
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Reducing Your Stress Levels
Many people underestimate the effect stress can have on your body, but in fact, high stress levels cause cardiovascular diseases, weaken your immune system, and even cause you to experience hair loss.
So its no surprise that stress can have a seriously negative effect on your digestive system and your gut health.
Stress can alter the microbiome in your gut which can therefore increase symptoms such as bloating, discomfort, and gas.
Try practicing some relaxing techniques like daily yoga or meditation to reduce your stress levels and hopefully help rebalance your microbiome system.
If your stress is work-related, then it may be worth having a private conversation with your boss to discuss how your work negatively is impacting your health, and see if there are ways to alleviate the stress by offloading some tasks that are causing you to be stressed.
And a fun fact to conclude: the average person passes gas about 10-20 times a day!
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Reduce The Frequency Of Diarrhea
While there are many causes for diarrhea, a change in the guts bacteria can lead to loose stools. Antibiotics often disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, leading to antibiotic-associated diarrhea and causing loss of good bacteria.
Probiotics may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in adults aged 18-64. Omni-Biotic AB 10 contains ten carefully selected bacterial strains that restore the gut microbiome and reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
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Is It Safe To Take Probiotics Daily
For healthy individuals, probiotics have a long history of being safe and beneficial to use daily. Thats because most probiotic supplements typically use the same microbes that already exist naturally in the human gut.
The risk is greater for people with severe medical conditions or who are immunocompromised as supplementation. If you have a severe medical condition or are immunocompromised, please consult with your healthcare practitioner before you start using a probiotic supplement.
Possible Side Effects Related To Probiotic Use
While probiotics are generally considered safe for both children and adults and serious side effects are rare in healthy people, some potential adverse effects may occur in certain populations.
People who are vulnerable to infections, including individuals recovering from surgery, critically ill infants, and those who have indwelling catheters or are chronically ill are more at risk of experiencing adverse reactions after taking probiotics .
For example, probiotics may cause serious systemic infections, diarrhea, excessive immune system stimulation, abdominal cramping, and nausea in immunocompromised individuals .
Less serious side effects related to taking probiotics can occasionally occur in healthy people as well, including bloating, gas, hiccups, skin rashes, and constipation .
While probiotics are generally considered safe for most people, its always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before adding any supplement to you or your childs diet.
summary
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So Do Probiotics Cause Gas And Bloating
The short answer is that yes, some people do experience an increased amount of gas/bloating after taking probiotics. Gas is the bi-product of rapidly changing gut microbiota . This is a temporary, but normal, side-effect and should clear up soon after beginning your new regimen.
When you take probiotics, youre altering your gut flora. Anytime you make changes to this system , it can lead to things like gas, bloating, and flatulence. Gas is a bi-product of changing gut bacteria.
Even though probiotics are good for you, you may have to endure a bit of discomfort in the beginning. Kind of like when you were a kid and your parents had to convince you to eat your vegetables or take your medicine. It may be uncomfortable at first, but youre better off for it in the long run.
Some people dont experience gas, bloating or any side effects at all from taking probiotics. Your experience may be different, and thats OK.There are a wide range of reactions to probiotics that are completely normal.The good thing is that for those who do experience side effects from probiotics, they usually go away after taking them consistently for a few weeks.
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Best Probiotics For Acne
There are literally countless millions of probiotics residing in the gut, but those which have been isolated and believed to play the greatest role in reducing acne include:
- Lactobacillus paracasei
L. casei reduces skin inflammation.
L. fermentum has antimicrobial, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties.
In vitro studies have shown that S. salivarius prevents the growth of p. acnes by producing bacteriocin-like substances.
L. paracasei is another strain of probiotic that produces inhibitory effects against acne. It does this by reducing skin inflammation and excess oil production, two primary causes of acne.
By producing bacteriocins, L. lactis also stimulates antimicrobial activity against p. acne. This probiotic targets p. acne in addition to Staphylococcus species, which can become pathogenic for immunocompromised individuals.
B. Coagulans helps regulate the immune system and inhibits reactive oxygen species, which are known to play a role in the formation of acne blemishes.
Studies have shown that the topical application of E. fecalis, or 5% Lactobacillus plantarum extract, reduces overall acne count, size, and redness.
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What Are The Best Probiotics For Bloating
Probiotics are friendly or good bacteria that occur naturally in the human body and some of the most popular products on the market are probiotics for bloating. There are many commercial products available in the market, which contain probiotics as a supplement.
Researchers point out to a number of advantages of including probiotics in your diet.
Reducing bloating is one of the key health benefits that certain types of probiotics have and it is a great answer if you are looking how to reduce bloating. This guide will help you understand how probiotics for bloating can restore your gut to full health and slim down in the process.
Let us first take a look at what exactly are probiotics and what are the causes of bloating.
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The Future Of Probiotics
Although probiotics research has exploded recently, some facts about their effectiveness remain unclear. For example, within the two main groups of probioticsBifidobacterium and Lactobacillusdoctors are still trying to pinpoint which strains are the most helpful and whats the optimal amount to take.
If youre a healthy adult, probiotic- and prebiotic-rich foods are safe to eat but if you want to try a supplement, talk to your doctor first about brand, strain and dose, especially if you have a compromised immune system.
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Help With Certain Mental Health Conditions
Microbiota composition changes are related to depression and anxiety. This may be because 95 percent of the neurotransmitter serotonin, the feel-good hormone, is produced by the bacteria in the gut.
One study found that after 30 days of supplementing with the probiotic strains Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacteria longum, healthy participants had less anxiety and depression.
Should You Take Probiotics And Digestive Enzymes
Probiotics can help balance gut bacteria and may improve some symptoms of IBS, UC and diarrhea, according to Cleveland Clinic. Most people can get these good bacteria by eating fermented foods, but sometimes people need specific strains of bacteria found in supplements.
Id probably stay away from store brands and pay a little extra for the name brand thats been studied, said Gail Cresci, an intestinal microbe specialist with Cleveland Clinics Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Ideally, look for a product thats been tested for whatever youre looking to address.
Cresci provided some tips for people who want to get started with probiotics.
Probiotic Tips:
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Certain Probiotic Strains Can Help Keep Your Heart Healthy
Probiotics may help keep your heart healthy by lowering LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.
Certain lactic acid-producing bacteria may reduce cholesterol by breaking down bile in the gut .
Bile, a naturally occurring fluid mostly made of cholesterol, helps digestion.
A review of 5 studies found that eating a probiotic yogurt for 28 weeks reduced total cholesterol by 4% and LDL cholesterol by 5% .
Another study conducted over 6 months found no changes in total or LDL cholesterol. However, the researchers did find a small increase in HDL cholesterol .
Consuming probiotics may also lower blood pressure. A review of 9 studies found that probiotic supplements reduce blood pressure, but only modestly .
In order to experience any benefits related to blood pressure, supplementation had to exceed 8 weeks and 10 million colony-forming units daily .
Bottom Line:
Probiotics may help protect the heart by reducing bad LDL cholesterol levels and modestly lowering blood pressure.
Cfus And Diversity Of Bacteria
The first thing to look for is the number of colony forming units or CFUs. This indicates the number of live, active cultures in each capsule. The more, the better. In general, you want a product that has at least one billion CFUs.
You also want to make sure the probiotic contains a variety of different bacteria strains. The more diverse, the better. Ideally, you want a product that contains at least five different strains.
The Lactobacillus genus is the most common type of good bacteria found in probiotics and it’s also the most studied. Some of the most popular strains include L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, and L. reuteri.
Other strains to look for include Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii. Bifidobacterium is another type of good bacteria that’s commonly found in probiotics. It’s been shown to be effective at treating diarrhea, constipation, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome . Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast that’s been shown to be effective at treating diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
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