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Maintain a Natural Balance
Knowing when to give your family probiotics could mean fewer trips to the doctor
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Probiotics are naturally occurring microorganisms found in the digestive system, the skin and the body’s orifices. They balance out the bad bugs and are needed to build a strong immune system. It only takes one course of antibiotics, which kills off these good bacteria, to make us vulnerable to other disease-causing bacteria such as yeasts, fungi and parasites.
Common childhood illnesses and conditions, such as diarrhoea, constipation, eczema, fungal infections or lactose intolerance, have been found to be caused by a lack of probiotics in the body. This is why Cape Town pharmacist Felicia Rubin says, “If you settle the gut, you will settle the child.” She goes on to list the benefits of a probiotic supplement: “It is recommended for counteracting lactose intolerance as it helps the digestive system produce lactase, which in turn breaks down lactose. I have also found that many children suffering from eczema often benefit more from using a probiotic cream than other topical options. But as eczema is an immune deficiency of sorts, give your child probiotic tablets if you want a cure.” The ingested option strengthens the immune system, getting to the real cause of the problem. On this, it is important to take a quality probiotic that contains one billion units per serving of the bacteria bifidobacterium and lactobacillus.
Holistically speaking
As probiotics are found naturally in our bodies, we can, for the most part, avoid supplementation if we ensure our family follows a balanced diet and if we breast-feed our babies. Breast milk contains a mix of carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, hormones, immunity-enhancing antibodies, and assorted vitamins, minerals and enzymes that maintain a healthy colony of good bacteria in the digestive tract. If you bottle-feed, you could consider consulting your paediatrician about using a probiotic-fortified formula.
If anyone in the family is on a course of antibiotics, make sure you are all getting a healthy intake of probiotic-rich food from fermented products with live cultures, such as yoghurt, cheese or milk. Felicia also advises, “Avoid a problem by learning to spot a red flag. If you or your child are deficient in an essential mineral or are allergic to something that you are eating, pay attention to your body; it will speak to you through various symptoms such as a skin reaction or an upset tummy. Flag the allergens and eliminate them from your diet, or do research to find out what mineral you are lacking.”
A new age
Despite its apparent benefits, scientific research on probiotics is still in its early stages. Consumers, however, are buying into the value of the product. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a department of the American Institute of Health, sales of probiotics in the USA have tripled from 1994 to 2003.
If you asked some doctors why this is, they might say it’s thanks to clever marketing campaigns. Then again, we can’t ignore the fact that taking probiotics while on a course of antibiotics does make us feel better and using probiotics during a nasty bout of gastro brings quick relief. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, probiotics remain a popular form of self-medication.
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