More Bacteria Makes You Healthier!?

Recently the buzz word on the street is "Probiotics" and their utilization is on the rise amongst the pediatric population. More research is surfacing proving that the environment in our gut is directly linked to our ability to have healthy digestion, elimination, and as a result, a well functioning immune system. Here is a user-friendly guide to creating a healthier intestinal lining.

WHEN DO I NEED TO TAKE OR GIVE PROBIOTICS?

If you were taking antibiotics during pregnancy.
If you were given an antibiotic IV during labor per hospital protocol.
If your baby was delivered via C-Section, no exposure to microflora as with vaginal birth.
If you are a nursing mother and are taking antibiotics.
If you are a nursing mother and are feeling sick.
If your child has had any antibiotic intake.
If your child is constipated or has diarrhea.
If your child has a viral or bacterial infection.
If your child shows signs of allergies or food sensitivities.

HOW DO I PICK AN AGE-APPROPRIATE PROBIOTIC?

• 4 MONTHS OR YOUNGER: Choose the BIFIDOBACTERIUM species including bifidum, longum, infantis, brevis. This is the first species to colonize our gut after birth. They are found throughout the entire intestine, but primarily in the Large Intestine.

• 4MONTHS OR OLDER: Add LACTOBACILLUS species, including rhamnosus, casi, salivarius, paracasei. This species appears later, and is primarily in the small intestine.
  

HOW MANY COLONIES SHOULD I TAKE OR GIVE?

Our digestive tract normally contains TRILLIONS of these bacterial strains.

• FOR PREVENTION: Adult 15-25 Billion CFU Daily.....Child 10-15 Billion Daily

• DIARRHEA or DETOX: 200-300 Billion Daily for 7-10 days

• FIGHTING A COLD: 50-100 Billion Daily for duration of cold + 7 days
  

HOW DO I ADMINISTER THE PROBIOTICS?
While Yogurt contains live cultures, it is still not the best way to go as it is a dairy-based product. You also have no way of knowing how many cultures are still living at date of purchase.

• Nursing Mothers: Open a capsule or use powder and sprinkle some around the areola prior to latch-on.

• Bottle-Feeding: Add specific amount to bottle from a capsule, powder, or liquid drops.

• Pipette: Dissolve specified amount with breast milk or formula.
  

WHERE DO I FIND THEM?

• The best quality will be in the refrigerated section of a health-food store. When kept at lower temperatures the life of the bacteria is prolonged and you can be more confidant that you are getting what the label states.
• The other option is getting them from a trusted distributor such as your pediatrician, or a holistic practitioner.
  

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR ON THE LABEL?

• Look for a clear statement of the number of colonies on manufacture date, or even better, that the certain number will still be present at expiration date.
• Be aware of probiotics that contain color, flavor, or sugar.
• Avoid ones with false commercial claims, as these are most likely not third party tested for purity.
• The contents should be a combination of different colonies, all using their Latin names.

References:
Donald Gerken, DC, DACCP, CST from PATHWAYS journal