Probiotics have lots of benefits for kids. They can ease constipation, heal eczema, keep the immune system strong, and support small tummies after a course of antibiotics. As a parent, however, it can be difficult to navigate the recommendations heard from doctors, friends, relatives and media. Why Probiotics for Your Child? Like you, trillions of bacteria live in your child's gastrointestinal system, both good and bad. One of the most common factors that lead to GI distress in children is antibiotics. Antibiotics kill both the bad bacteria and the good. Because of this, a round of antibiotics can often lead to diarrhea and a wiped-out GI system that needs to be brought back into balance with a dose of probiotics. Beyond antibiotics, children’s digestive systems are also susceptible to dysbiosis from everyday lifestyle factors including an unbalanced diet and a penchant for putting all sorts of germy things in their mouths. Should my Child Get Probiotics from Foods or Supplements? Nowadays, probiotics are advertised pretty much everywhere, and it has become fairly common to see them mentioned on packs of yogurt, juice, and cereal. With such an increase in the sheer number of products touted to contain probiotics, it can be confusing to navigate if any single product is best or if more than one product is too much. Whether or not you’re choosing to give your kids foods that have naturally occurring probiotics present (like yogurt or kefir) or giving them foods with added probiotics, like some juices or granola bars, the efficacy (and amount) of these probiotics will be inferior to a supplement form. Sure, these foods can be a healthy addition to the diet for maintenance of gut health, but a daily high-quality probiotic supplement is the best option when it comes to supporting the gut microbiome (especially if you are trying to boost gut bacteria after a round of antibiotics) and immune function. Surviving transit through the gastrointestinal system isn’t easy. To ensure a probiotic can deliver their benefits to a child, the bacteria in your probiotic must be live and active. Since each probiotic bacteria strain carries out a highly specific action, it is preferable to choose a product whose strains are known to work in synergy with each other and whose effectiveness has been clinically proven through finish product testing. For instance, the bacteria L. acidophilus CL1285®, L. casei LBC80R® and L. rhamnosus CLR2® are known for their synergistic interaction. Is There a Probiotic That is “Best”? If you’ve already decided a probiotic is an important supplement to weave into your child’s daily routine, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. All bacteria are individual and possess distinct properties, acting differently within the body, but also within the bottle (or capsule) offered to consumers. One thing to consider then is the evidence supporting the effectiveness of the probiotic. Probiotic supplement manufacturers are not required to test their finished products in clinical trials, thus basing the benefits of their products on research conducted only on particular and specific strains. The challenge with this, however, is that you have no idea how the bacteria act once they have been combined with other probiotic strains (or other ingredients for that matter). Therefore, choosing an effective probiotic comes down to finished product research. Bio-K+ (including Bio-Kidz) is proudly supported by research of this nature. Our three unique probiotic strains are proven to work synergistically together to improve the balance of gut bacteria, strengthen the immune system, and support the intestinal health during or after a round of antibiotics. Thinking of Making Bio-Kidz the Probiotic for Your Little One? Every bottle of Bio-Kidz contains 12.5 billion bacteria per bottle (guaranteed to the best before date) and comes in an easy to drink format that kids love. The new Raspberry flavour is 100% vegan, gluten-free, certified organic and tastes just like juice (only it’s a 100% probiotic liquid!) making it an enjoyable addition to your breakfast routine (or any time for that matter!). If you’re thinking about trying Bio-K+, head to our store locator. For more information on Bio-K+, probiotics and digestive health, contact us, find us on Facebook and Instagram or join our community. To help you choose the best probiotic to take with medicine, or in any other situation affecting your child, you can consult a pediatrician, a family doctor, or a pharmacist. References https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-labelling/health-claims/questions-answers-probiotics.html https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15454313 Regulatory Oversight and Safety of Probiotic Use - PMC (nih.gov)
