© Specialist Supplements Ltd 2011  0845 094 3627 [Allergy] [Bad Breath] [Bloating] [Colitis] [Constipation] [Crohn’s Disease] [Diarrhea] [Diverticulitis] [Flatulence] [Halitosis] [Irritable Bowel Syndrome] [IBS] [Indigestion] [Leaky Gut Syndrome] [ibsdiarrhea.hypermart.net/1] [Lactobacillus acidophilus and Plantarum probiotic bacterium] [Probiotic Bacteria] [HTML Sitemap] [Diets and Health Information] [Natural Menopause Herbs] [Weight Loss Pages] [Probiotic and Herbal Supplements] [ibsdiarrhea.hypermart.net/2]   Your health is your responsibility Suppliers of probiotic bacteria supplements Suppliers of probiotic bacteria supplements This is an information site only! [Colon Cleansers] [Probiotics] [Digestive Enzyme Supplement] [Candida Albicans Supplements] [Healthy Meal Plans] [Herbal Remedies] [Digestive Enzymes for Bloating] [Slimming Products] Probiotics for children? Anyone with infants, babies, toddlers or young children will have been there - tummy upsets, coughs, colds and snuffles, particularly: • following a course of antibiotics; and • when returning to playgroups, preschool or school, where germs and infection can be widespread. Antibiotics and probiotics The effects of antibiotics on the digestive system have already been detailed on one of our other health information  pages, but in summary, antibiotics work by either eliminating bacteria or by stopping bacteria from growing. Unfortunately, they do not differentiate between the good bacteria (probiotics) and bad bacteria in our stomachs. This can lead to an imbalance in the intestinal flora, which can in turn impact upon numerous bodily activities, including: • forming stools • the health of the digestive system  • the body’s production of important vitamins (such as B vitamins) • the functioning of our immune systems. If this is the potential impact of antibiotics on adults, think of the effects they can have on babies and very young children, whose immune systems have yet to fully form and are vulnerable. You might be surprised to learn that children are particularly susceptible to disruptions to the delicate balance of friendly bacteria versus harmful bacteria in their tummies. Probiotics and the immune system Similarly, children are at a heightened risk of disease when returning to school or playgroups, because germs are then usually particularly prevalent. You may not be aware, but the single most important part of your child’s immune system is in their gut (and that goes for you too)! This is because 70% of all antibody producing cells in the body are located in what is called Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (or GALT).  As the name indicates, GALT is found in the intestines and comprises lymphocytes, macrophages, Peyer’s patches and lymph nodes. It is considered the largest collection of immune cells in the body. GALT works hard to prevent unwanted micro-organisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast and parasites) from entering our bodies. This is why, when the delicate balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system is disrupted, this can have a direct impact on the proper functioning of the immune system. Probiotics can help to support GALT composition and function, gastrointestinal cell health and inflammatory balance in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Children’s probiotics There are a number of available probiotics on the market today, but it is worth noting that there is a child-specific strain - Bifidobacterium infantis. The reason that this particular strain of probiotics is specific to children is because it is the bacteria is the primary one found in breast milk. Breastfed versus bottle-fed At birth, the GI tract is sterile and is therefore at risk of colonisation by the many micro-organisms present in the environment. In breastfed infants up to weaning, the initial microbial flora is dominated by Bifidobacteria (primarily Bifidobaterium infantis), with the Lactobacilli being in lower numbers and the Streptococci and Coliforms in lower numbers still. By contrast, in bottle-fed infants, Bifidobacteria such as Bifidobaterium infantis are not normally present in high numbers and the flora is instead a mixture of Lactobacilli, Coliforms and Streptococci. With the above in mind, many parents choose to supplement their children’s diet with a child-specific probiotic powder. This is easy to do, because the powder is tasteless and can easily be mixed into juice, milk, water or food. * Before giving your children supplements, you are recommended to consult a physician or qualified health practitioner. [Home] [Health Information] [About Probiotics] [Yeast Probiotic - Saccharomyces boulardii] [Digestive Enzymes] [Antibiotics] [Candida Albicans] [Children’s Probiotic Powder] [Sitemap]