Monday, February 04, 2008

The goodness and benefits of probiotics

Probiotics are health-promoting, friendly bacteria with many potential benefits. Strains of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are the most widely used probiotic bacteria.

  • Probiotics help maintain and restore the delicate balance of both "good" and "bad" bacteria necessary for a healthy digestive system. Without that balance, harmful bacteria can multiply and take over, causing gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or abdominal pain. Probiotics help normalise the whole digestive system.
  • The strains of good bacteria in the gut help with digestion of food. It's especially good for children who consume milk but who lack the enzyme to break down the lactose in the milk. This gives them gas, abdominal pain and loose stools. Probiotics helps them to digest the lactose better, these symptoms are reduced and they recover faster.
  • The probiotic bacteria may help relieve constipation by improving intestinal mobility.
  • Preliminary testings show that probiotics can help boost the immune system. One specific finding shows that lactobacillus GG may reduce respiratory infections and their severity among children in daycare.
  • There is also evidence that probiotics may help to prevent certain kinds of allergies because they have a beneficial effect on mucous membranes.
  • Probiotic consumption may reduce the risk for colon, liver and breast cancers.
  • Probiotic is recommended after a course of antibiotics so that the child can restore good bacteria back to the gut.

Important:
As probiotics contain live bacteria, they have to be kept at a cool temperature, as in a refrigerator. Parents are told not to put probiotics in warm milk as it will destroy the live bacteria. It must be taken in cool water.

Some milk powder like Pediasure Complete have probiotics added and it instructs parents to mix the milk powder with cold water when preparing milk. Follows as instructed!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I gave my kids the American Health brand of probiotics, in the form of chewable sweets. I find them very good. At least they don't fall sick so often now.

Martin Johns on February 5, 2008 at 6:16 AM said...

You can get reviews of several probiotic brands at NutritionalTree.com. They vary widely in price and effectiveness.

Anonymous said...

Is probiotics effective in boosting the overall immunity of my children? I need something to boost their immunity to common viruses which they caught in schools and child care.. thanks!

Anonymous said...

This is what found from the Net, useful to know the many benefits of probiotics, esp acidophilus -
"Acidophilus is the friendly bacteria that live in our digestive tract. Healthy bacterial balance in our digestive tract is easily affected by poor dietary habits and by the use of medications, such as corticosteroids and antibiotics. Everyone can benefit from the use of probiotics for healthy digestion and immunity. Acidophilus has also been found useful in the treatment and prevention of skin conditions and allergies. Children in daycare who take acidophilus supplements are found to have less frequent colds, flu and ear infections. "

 

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