Introduction
The last decade has witnessed a new era in medical sciences with the growing use of ‘probiotics’ for many health benefits, particularly in diarrhoeal diseases.
Probiotics are live, good bacteria naturally found in our bodies. They may contain either one type of bacteria or a combination of several species.
Probiotics provide many benefits. Probiotics are used to replenish beneficial bacteria in the body.
Probiotics have been shown to reduce the risk of infections such as infectious diarrhoea as well as the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infections. Probiotics strengthen immunity.
Probiotics were ingested for centuries in the form of fermented food products. Let’s take a quick overview of the many potential benefits of using probiotics for children.
Microbiome of Our Body
There are trillions of microbes that live in our body and help us to digest food, protect from infections and help maintain even reproductive health. These bacteria help with digestion, absorbing nutrients, and fighting other microorganisms that cause infections.
All the microorganisms present in our body together are called Microbiome, including good and bad bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They live:
- On our skin
- In our gut
- In our urogenital tract
- In our saliva
Whenever there is an imbalance in good to bad microorganisms in the microbiome, infections may occur. Broad-spectrum antibiotics that are used to kill infection-causing bacteria may also eliminate some of the good bacteria that keep the bad bacteria in check. This also helps bad organisms to multiply and take over, which may cause secondary infections. Secondary infections could be yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and intestinal infections.
Why do Children need Probiotics?
A gastrointestinal system of a child possesses many bacteria. Different medical conditions such as allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases can lead to an imbalance between the “good” and the “bad” bacteria in the gut.
Probiotics also help in improving the immune system of the child. A boost in child immunity protects the child from various diseases and infections.
Use of Probiotics to Prevent Diseases
Many studies have demonstrated that probiotics promote wellness in children. Probiotics are also shown to be useful in children with specific disease conditions such as,
- Acute infectious diarrhoea
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea
- Necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants
- Childhood atopy
- Helicobacter pylori infection and
- Infantile colic1.
What Kind of Probiotics are Ideal for Children?
The two commonly occurring useful bacteria in the body are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Saccharomyces boulardii is another probiotic which is a yeast used widely in children.
Probiotics should be given to a child after the meals. If given on an empty stomach, the acid in the stomach may destroy probiotics.
Food as a Source of Probiotics
Dairy products are the best source of probiotics. Various food sources of probiotics are:
- Yogurt
- Buttermilk.
- Cottage cheese
Conclusion
Probiotics may help children in many medical conditions in infants and children. They may also help prevent secondary infections and diarrhoea in children using antibiotics. Probiotics have also been shown to help prevent eczema and allergies in children.
References:
- J Health Popul Nutr. 2015; 34: 8.