Health Benefits of Probiotics for Children

There is no doubt that probiotics are widely known for supporting digestive health in adults, but did you know their benefits extend to children as well? Probiotics can benefit children and may support their overall health and well-being. In this blog, we will explore the science behind why probiotics are good for children and how probiotics may contribute to a healthier, happier childhood.

The Importance of the Gut Microbiome in Children

Why is having a healthy microbiome so important you may wonder? Firstly, the gut microbiome is a complex community containing trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The microbiome plays many critical roles in human health and childhood development. Importantly, one’s gut microbiome health can impact digestion and nutrient absorption, immune system regulation, mental health, allergy tolerance, and protection against pathogens, to name a few.

Children’s gut microbiomes are in a state of development and can be influenced by various factors including:

Diet
Environment
Viruses
Stress
Antibiotics

Unfortunately, many children experience gastrointestinal issues including, but not limited to, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, and even inflammatory bowel disease.

Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Probiotics for Children

Probiotics are living, beneficial microorganisms that reside inside our digestive tract and are part of our gut microbiome. For children, taking supplemental probiotics and eating probiotic rich foods may play a vital role in supporting their health and development.

Immune System Development and Function

A significant portion of the immune system is located in the gut, where it constantly interacts with the microbiome. This interaction between the immune system and the gut is crucial because the gut micorbiome helps train the immune system! Interestingly, the gut microbiome can help train the immune system to differentiate between harmful pathogens and benign substances.

When a child’s microbiome is healthy and balanced, it can act as a barrier against more harmful bacteria. This happens when the good bacteria (probiotics) outcompete the bad bacteria for space and nutrients. In fact, research shows that probitoics may reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal infections in children, and this has everything to do with the immune system connection!

Allergy Prevention and Tolerance

The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in the development of immune tolerance, which may help prevent allergic reactions. Because a diverse and balanced gut microbiome helps the immune system recognize a friend to the body from a foe, this can also help with reducing the likelihood of developing allergies. Furthermore, certain probiotics produce anti-inflammatory molecules that can help prevent excessive immune responses, which are characteristic of allergic reactions.

Allergic conditions, such as eczema and allergic rhinitis, are increasingly common in children. Probiotics may help in preventing and managing these contions. Although more research is needed, some studies suggest that probiotics can reduce nasal congestion and improve quality of life during allergy seasons by modulating immune responses to allergens.

Mental Health and Cognitive Development

The gut-brain axis underscores the influence of the gut microbiome on mental health and cognitive development in children. Emerging research indicates that probiotics may influence mental health and cognitive development in children. Some studies suggest that probiotics can reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress by modulating the gut-brain axis through impacting neurotransmitters.

While the research is still in early stages, evidence is pointing to the direction that a healthy gut microbiota can positively impact cognitive function. Probiotics may contribute to better attention, memory, and learning abilities in children. This may be due to the reduction of systemic inflammation, which can affect brain health.

Supporting Digestive Health

One of the most well-known benefits of probiotics is their positive impact on digestive health. Probiotics may help by balancing gut microbiota which can prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria that may cause diarrhea, constipation, or digestive discomfort. Studies have shown that probiotics can reduce the duration and severity of acute darrhea in children, particularly when caused by infections or antibiotics.

Choosing the Right Probiotics for Children

Flourish probiotics are easy to give to children. No need to break a pill or carefully pull apart a capsule. Simply pour your child’s Flourish dose into their drink, or if they are up for it, they can take it straight too! We just LOVE that everyone in the family can share a bottle of Flourish!

Flourish Living Liquid Probiotics

Each bottle of Flourish living liquid probiotics contains a wide range of living bacteria. Both Flourish Original and Flourish Junior contain 11 diverse strains of probiotics from 5 unique families. Flourish is delivered fresh in its natural liquid form and never freeze-dried into capsules. This hearty liquid retains all the nutrients, beneficial metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, bioactive peptides, amino acids, enzymes, and minerals. All of these traits help Flourish make its way safely through the stomach to your colon so it can get to work!

Consult Your Healthcare Provider

As always, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before introducing any new supplements or significant dietary changes to your child’s routine. With the right approach, probiotics can be a valuable tool in managing and preventing constipation, contributing to a healthier, happier child.

The content in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The FDA has not evaluated these statements. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Written by Kelsy Armstrong, Entegro Health