Breaking news: Bacteria help kids stay healthy! In a study published this month in the Journal of Pediatrics, scientist found that daily probiotics help toddlers avoid certain infections. Researchers enrolled 300 children, ages six months to 36 months, in day care centres in a double-blinded study. Half of the children received placebos and half received probiotics.
For the children who received probiotics, it was found that there was a reduction in frequency and duration of diarrhoea episodes. And surprisingly, there was also a reduction in respiratory tract infections in the children who took probiotics.
The children in the study received the probiotic Lactobaccillus reuteri daily for three months. In addition to the already-mentioned health benefits, the study found a reduction in the number of doctor visits, antibiotic use, absenteeism from day school and parental absenteeism from work.
Other studies on probiotics have found that probiotics may help in reducing acute diarrhoea, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, atopic eczema, tooth decay, C. diff. bacteria colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, including pouchitis.
So what is this miracle drug? Probiotics are live microorganisms numbering over 100tn, including over 500 bacterial species, which normally reside in the human intestinal tract. These microorganisms help in digestion, provide the body with nutrients, help the immune system and help keep harmful microorganisms in check.
Common probiotics are Lactobacillus bulgaris, Streptococcus thermophiles, Lactobacillus acidophilus and casei, and Bifidobacteria.
One can maintain a healthy balance of these “good bacteria” in the body by taking products which contain live and active cultures of these bacteria. These can include the pill and liquid probiotic supplements, as well as foods such as yoghurt, and fermented foods such as brewer’s yeast, miso, sauerkraut or micro algae.
If you need additional nondairy yoghurt options, yoghurts made from rice, soy and coconut milk are available on the market. Some of these can contain added probiotics that provide the same benefits as regular yoghurt.
To ensure that you are getting the benefit of the probiotics in the foods that you are eating, pick those that state “live and active cultures” on the label. Also look for supplements that are not close to their expiration date, as the live bacteria dwindle over time. — By Drs. Kay Judge and Maxine Barish-Wreden, The Sacramento Bee/MCT
