The Many Benefits of Probiotics for Kids
Your child’s health and happiness begin in the gut with the proliferation of good bacteria. A diverse gut microbiome is responsible for protecting our immune and gastrointestinal health and is primarily supported by a whole foods diet. At Garden of Life, we have produced a Dr. Formulated Organic Kids+ Probiotics line made with our signature real-food-power approach. Our probiotics come in an easy-to-take, chewable formula in three delicious flavours that your kids will love!
What is a probiotic?
Probiotics are the diverse gut flora that naturally live in our bodies. These beneficial bacteria are living, yeast-like microbes that support digestive and immune processes and regulate neurotransmitter functioning. Eating whole foods, avoiding overconsumption of sugary foods and carbonated beverages, and supporting our diet with probiotic-rich foods keep this intestinal garden flourishing!
Why do kids need probiotics?
There are a number of factors that might contribute to the need for a probiotic supplement for children. 1 in 3 children in the US are delivered via C section. This means that they are bypassing their mother’s healthy and diverse vaginal microbiome! Many mothers may also be unable or choose not to breastfeed. This is our secondary exposure to our mother’s healthy gut bacteria. We can support their microbiome development then through probiotic-rich foods, as well as supplementation. Probiotics are key for gastrointestinal flora development, and overall health.
Once your child is eating solid foods, the Standard American Diet (SAD) might also be a factor. The SAD is high in sugar and processed foods, and often contains allergens and artificial chemicals. A diet high in sugars feeds the growth of bad bacteria. When we have an overgrowth of bad bacteria, it can cancel out the defensive qualities of the good gut bacteria. Allergens and chemicals also threaten our natural, health-promoting bacteria. When we are lacking adequate levels of health supportive bacteria, we are more prone to allergies and infection. Allergens and artificial chemicals found in food can also trigger histamine reactions and digestive disruptions.
To support a child’s gut microbiome, introduce probiotic-rich foods. This includes lacto-fermented vegetables in the form of sauerkraut and kimchi, as well as miso and some dairy products (organic yogurt and kefir). We can also reduce their exposure to sugar, carbonated sodas and chlorinated water.
Probiotics support healthy digestion through maintaining the body’s ability to metabolize nutrients. They encourage regular bowel movements, and help to prevent diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating. They support proper digestion and can step in to support the digestion of lactose in dairy as our natural enzymes decrease with age. Probiotics help in the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus and contribute to the development of strong bones and teeth!
Kids are much more prone to colds than adults, getting on average 12 a year! Immune system support is a key component of probiotic superpowers. A daily probiotic supplement also encourages the absorption of vitamin D and helps avoid deficiency. Vitamin D supports immune function and helps prevent autoimmune conditions, as well as allergies like asthma and eczema.
If you’re treating infection with antibiotics, a probiotic supplement is essential! Antibiotics do such a good job fighting that they also clear out a lot of the good bacteria. It’s important to replenish our good gut bacteria with a well-formulated probiotic supplement after every antibiotic treatment. Probiotics are a vital component of our health.
Dr. Formulated Organic Kids+ Probiotics
Our line of Dr. Formulated Organic Kids+ Probiotics are innovatively designed by Dr. Perlmutter with your child’s health in mind. These probiotic formulas are optimized by his expertise, based on the latest reviewed science, and contain clinically studied probiotic strains.
L. acidophilus (SD-5221) is the primary strain used in our Kids+ Probiotic line, and it is the most unique and well-studied probiotic strain in the world. Until recently it had limited availability to practitioners. Garden of Life was the first brand in mainstream health stores to obtain it.
Each of our Kids+ line contains 5 billion CFUs (a supportive daily dose for your child’s microbiome), as well as a prebiotic fibre. Prebiotic fibres are the food for probiotic growth. This formula is dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, vegetarian, hypoallergenic, and shelf and cooler stable.
Our Kids+ probiotics are chewable and contain organic cranberries. By chewing, your children are also supporting their dental health. Cranberries are a rich source of polyphenols. Polyphenols inhibit the production of organic acids and help prevent the build-up of plaque by cariogenic oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans.
As with all our products, our probiotics are Certified USDA Organic, grown without pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, or genetic engineering, and Non-GMO Project Verified. This formula contains organic whole Amla fruit with 30 mg of Vitamin C. This important antioxidant is a cofactor for enzymes and neurotransmitters and is essential for kids who are not getting enough fruit and vegetables.
To further support the immune system, we include a RAW food-created Vitamin D3 (400IU). Vitamin D receptors are prominent on immune cells and play an important part in regulating our immune system. Low levels of vitamin D are therefore linked to an increased susceptibility to infection.
Dr. Formulated Organic Kids+ Probiotics are designed to build and support a healthy microbiome, to maintain the digestive and immune health your child deserves! This probiotic line comes in three delicious, kid-friendly flavours: Watermelon, Berry Cherry, and now, Strawberry Banana!
