Category Archives: Optibac Probiotics for Babies & Children

Optibac Probiotics, Optibac Probiotics for Babies & Children, Probiotics

The power of probiotics: what can probiotics do for you?

It might be said that many things in life are about striking a balance and keeping them in harmony. In many ways, that’s true of your health too – not least your gut health. For, individually (and especially when they’re combined), the effect of toxins, a poor diet and stress on the digestive system is to seriously imbalance its order and cause you issues and problems. Fortunately, however, to combat these malignant forces in the gut, there are probiotics.

These micro-organisms are terrific at keeping the peace in the gut; restoring balance to it by driving out harmful toxins and other organisms that are such bad news. To be specific, a probiotic is either a type of living bacteria or yeast and healthy people carry around a great number of them within their bodies all the time. Neither harmful nor pathogenic, probiotics then enjoy symbiotic relationships with the human body (on the skin and in the mouth, nostrils and gut – the latter of which is home to more than 500 of them1). And, in terms of the gut, they play an absolutely critical role in creating the all-important microbiome there, featuring varied microbiota (or microflora), helping to ensure natural digestion, reliable immunity and good mental clarity.

 

Probiotic benefits

Going into more detail on just exactly why probiotics are so critical to the body then – and why they contribute so much to keeping it in balance and maintaining your good health – the following are all benefits delivered by probiotics when consumed either via foods rich in them or supplementary products:

  • Improve response from the immune system2

 

  • Reduce negative effects of taking antibiotics, such as diarrhoea3

 

  • Reduce irritation experienced in the gut after surgery3

 

  • Contribute to better-looking complexion and skin4

 

  • Encourage easier food and drink digestion6

 

  • Positively contribute to upper respiratory health7

 

  • Ease symptoms of lactose intolerance8

 

  • Aid better yeast balance in the gut and elsewhere in the body9

 

  • Promote good vaginal health10

 

  • Enable improved absorption of nutrients from consumed food and drink11

 

  • Support natural, normal bowel movements12

 

  • May improve oral health and help reduce halitosis (bad breath)13

 

  • Aid the body in synthesising B vitamins (separating them from food and using them)14, absorbing calcium15 and producing Vitamin K16.

 

Probiotic foods

So, armed with the knowledge of all the good consuming probiotics can do for you, as you now are, you’ll be wondering what the best sources for them actually are. Well, you’d be highly advised to try and work into your diet the following as often as possible:

  • Yoghurt – famed the world over as being a food that tends to be rich in probiotics (so long as it’s the right kind of yoghurt, of course), a healthy yoghurt takes some beating here; but, as nudged at, be careful, as too many yoghurts are sugar-rich so, instead, you ought to be aiming for those that contain almond, cashew, coconut or hemp ingredients17

 

  • Kefir – like yoghurt, this is a cultured dairy drink (if you didn’t already know); in addition to being packed with probiotics, kefir also features Vitamins B12 and K, calcium, folate, magnesium, phosphorous and thiamine18

 

  • Kimchi – the great thing is that kimchi, being a traditional Korean side dish comprising fermented vegetables, features a fantastic combo of cabbage, garlic, ginger, onion, radish and red pepper, thus making it a genuine superfood; this means that it’s not just bursting with probiotics and antioxidants, but also Vitamin C, the B vitamins, beta-carotene, calcium, dietary fibre, iron and potassium19.

 

Special offer probiotics

As mentioned above, it’s possible to boost your probiotic intake through naturally-derived, organic supplements as well, so should you find it difficult to work the likes of the above probiotic-rich foods into your diet, this may well be an appealing route to go. The following – all of them currently on special offer – are available (as are more) through us at The Finchley Clinic:

Optibac Probiotics for Every Day EXTRA Strength (90 capsules) – contains 20 billion live micro-organisms in each daily dose, including five probiotic strains, ensuring it supports overall digestive health, immunity and energy.

Optibac Probiotics for Women (90 capsules) – clinically trialled by over 2,500 women, this version of Optibac Probiotics contains the micro-organisms L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14, which may help treat thrush, cystitis, and bacterial vaginosis; safe and appropriate for women experiencing menopause, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Optibac Probiotics for Babies & Children (90 sachets) – ideal for children and infants (specifically for their digestion and natural defences), as well as women during pregnancy; contains three probiotics that highly important for young children’s health: acidophilus, B. infantis and bifidum.

 

References

  1. Bengmark, S. ‘Ecological control of the gastrointestinal tract.’ The role of probiotic flora Gut (1998): 42:2-7.
  2. Cunningham-Rundles S., Ahrne S. and Bengmark, S. ‘Probiotics and immune response’. Am. J. Gastroenterol (2000): 95:22–25.
  3. D’ Souza A. L., Rajkumar C., Cooke J. and Bulpitt C. J. ‘Probiotics in prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhoea: meta-analysis’. BMJ (2002): 324-1361.
  4. Stavrou G. and Kotzampassi K. ‘Gut microbiome, surgical complications and probiotics’. Ann Gastroenterol (2017): 45-53.
  5. Al-Ghazzewi, F. H. and Tester R. F. ‘Impact of prebiotics and probiotics on skin health’. Beneficial Microbes (2014): 99-107.
  6. Syngai G. G., et al. ‘Probiotics – the Versatile Functional Food Ingredients’. Journal of Food Science and Technology (2016): 921–933.
  7. Strasser B., Geiger D., Schauer M. et al. ‘Probiotic Supplements Beneficially Affect Tryptophan-Kynurenine Metabolism and Reduce the Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial’. Nutrients. (2016): 8-11.
  8. Corgneau M., Scher J., Ritié-Pertusa L. et al. ‘Recent Advances on Lactose Intolerance: Tolerance Thresholds and Currently Available Solutions’. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. (2015).
  9. Bao Y., Al K. F., Chanyi R. M. et al. ‘Questions and challenges associated with studying the microbiome of the urinary tract’. Ann Transl Med. (2017): 5 (2): 33.
  10. Reid G. ‘The development of probiotics for women’s health’. Can J Microbiol. (2016).
  11. Krajmalnik-Brown R., Zehra-Esra I., Dae-Wook K. and Dibaise J. K. ‘Effects of Gut Microbes on Nutrient Absorption and Energy Regulation’. Nutrition in Clinical Practice 27.2 (2012): 201-14.
  12. Sebastián Domingo J. J. ‘Review of the role of probiotics in gastrointestinal diseases in adults’. Gastroenterol Hepatol. (2017).
  13. Janczarek M., Bachanek T., Mazur E. and Chałas R. ‘The role of probiotics in prevention of oral diseases’. Postepy Hig Med Dosw. (2016): 70: 850-7.
  14. Capozzi V., Russo P., Dueñas M. T., López P. and Spano G. ‘Lactic acid bacteria producing B-group vitamins: a great potential for functional cereals products’. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. (2012). 96 (6): 1383-94.
  15. Scholz-Ahrens K. E., Ade P., Marten B. et al. ‘Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics affect mineral absorption, bone mineral content, and bone structure’. J Nutr. (2007): 137.
  16. Zhang Y. J., Li S., Gan R. Y., Zhou T., Xu D. P. and Li H. B. ‘Impacts of gut bacteria on human health and diseases’. Int J Mol Sci. (2015): 493-519.
  17. Guinane C. M. and Cotter P. D. ‘Role of the Gut Microbiota in Health and Chronic Gastrointestinal Disease: Understanding a Hidden Metabolic Organ’. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology 6.4 (2013): 295–308.
  18. Moore S. ‘Everything You Need to Know about Yogurt’. Moore Family Center Blog. Oregon State University, 2014 5 Nov.
  19. Brooks A. ‘Kimchi, the Korean Superfood’. Eat Smart Move More. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2014 9 May.

 

Bio-Acidophilus Forte Plus, Optibac Probiotics for Babies & Children, Probiotics, Threelac

Brilliant probiotics: food and supplements full of beneficial gut bacteria

Don’t be deceived, not all bacteria’s the same; not all bacteria’s bad. Yes, bacteria gets a bad rap, but that’s the ‘bad’ bacteria, which definitely isn’t healthy when it’s consumed via food or fluids and gets into your digestive and other systems. The other kind of bacteria is the ‘good’ type, which is just the opposite – it possesses much sought-after health-giving properties; one of which is to balance out the amount of ‘bad’ bacteria in your intestines (and hopefully tip the balance in its favour).

One of the most commonly consumed forms of good bacteria is probiotics. A select number of live bacteria and yeast groups that have unquestioned health benefits, probiotics are especially prevalent in the digestive system – specifically the intestines (which is why, like their bad bacteria counterparts there, they’re referred to as ‘gut bacteria’). It’s here then where they’re healthy-do-gooding proves critical to the overall body and the wellbeing of its owner, given the fact that so many of our common-day chronic ailments actually kick-off in this part of the body. How they do is this is by stimulating the natural enzymes and processes in the gut to ensure the digestive organs keep working well; and in turn, nullifying the harmful effects of bad gut bacteria.

Probiotic Foods

So how exactly can you top up the health-enhancing live bacteria residing in your gut? Well, the ideal way is to pepper your diet with organic, probiotic-rich foods:

  •  Kefir – a fermented dairy product that features goat’s milk, along with kefir grains; it also offers Lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria, as well as terrifically health-enhancing antioxidants1
  •  Kimchi – you may never have heard of it, but the experts maintain that this Asian-cuisine pickled sauerkraut is one of the best sources for probiotics; offering a delicious spicy smack of a taste, it contains lashings of good bacteria, Vitamins B and C, beta-carotene, calcium, fibre, iron and potassium2
  •  Live-cultured yoghurt – often this kind of yoghurt made with nutrient- and protein-rich goat’s milk (especially if it’s infused with additional probiotics such as lactobacillus and acidophilus) is great for gut bacteria, not least as goat’s milk possesses lower allergenicity and tends to be easier to digest than cow’s milk3; try to avoid yoghurts that count additives among their ingredients, though
  •  Miso soup – a favourite of Japanese cuisine, this tasty concoction is derived from rice/ barley, beans and fermented rye; merely add a tablespoon of the stuff to hot water and you’ve a quick soup packed with bifidus bacteria and lactobacilli
  •  Pickled vegetables – a mainstay in Western food for centuries, the humbled pickled cucumber or onion (or practically any pickled vegetable, for that matter) offers a roster of probiotic potential5; they may take some time to prepare and be ready to eat, but if you like the taste they’re well worth the effort
  •  Sauerkraut – a German dish made from fermented cabbage, sauerkraut may not sound the most appetising, but initial impressions can be deceptive when it comes to foods and how they taste; it’s also resplendent in live cultures and Vitamins A, B, C and K
  •  Tempeh – great for vegetarians (for whom it can be a meat- of tofu-substitute), this fermented grain is derived from soybeans7 and contains lots of Vitamin B128; sauté, bake or add this low-salt foodstuff to salads.

Probiotic Supplements

Now, fair dos, should your palate be rather ‘Western’ when it comes to cuisine, then two or three of the probiotic-rich options above may not leave you salivating. How else to boost the good bacteria levels in your gut then? Well, there’s supplementation, of course – and, as ever, natural is the way to go here over synthetic supplements. The following – among many more (check the ‘Probiotics’ section on our website) – are all available via The Finchley Clinic:

ThreelacThreelac– comprises three separate forms of spore-forming lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus sporogenes, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus faecalis) to purge the intestinal tract of the parasitic Candida yeast and push out harmful dysbiotic microorganisms; similar to its sister product Fivelac.

 

Bio Acidophilus Forte 60 capsulesBio-Acidophilus Forte Plus – a high-strength probiotic product that contains 75 billion viable organisms per capsule, including acidophilus and bifidum in a base of fructo-oligosaccharides.

 

Optibac Probiotics EXTRA Strength 90 capsOptibac Probiotics For Every Day Extra Strength – offers 20 billion live micro-organisms per capsule, with five probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM; may well aid your digestion and immunity and boost your energy.

 

References:

1. Prado M. R. et al. ‘Milk Kefir: Composition, Microbial Cultures, Biological Activities, and Related Products’. Frontiers in Microbiology. 6: 1177. PMC. 30 Oct 2015.

2. Peacock J. ‘Kimchi, the Korean Superfood’. Eat Smart Move More. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. 9 May 2014.

3. Damunupola D. A. P. R. et al. ‘Evaluation of Quality Characteristics of Goat Milk Yogurt Incorporated with Beetroot Juice’. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications. vol. 4, no. 10. Oct. 2014.

34. Fujisawa T. et al. ‘Effect of Miso Soup Containing Natto on the Composition and Metabolic Activity of the Human Faecal Flora’. Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease, vol. 18, no. 2. 1 June 2006.

Children’s Health, Children’s Mindlinx, Kidslac, Optibac Probiotics for Babies & Children

The kids are all right? Why probiotics are a great idea for children

The popularity of probiotics seems to grow by the day. And for good reason. In being the ‘good bacteria’ required by the body to balance the ‘bad bacteria’ in the gut, they can do each and every one of us a great deal of good. But, for all that, many people only look on probiotics as something for adult consumption. For some reason then, they’re not associated with the health of children as much as they might be. Is there any good reason for this? Quite frankly, no; because probiotics can be ideal for kids – and do them just as much good as they do adults.

Microbiota in infants and children

The microbiota (or the microbiome) is an umbrella term for the cacophony of commensal microorganisms that live inside and on our bodies. The significance of them to kids’ health is that they’re universal. They’re ‘good bacteria’ that aids in the digestion of food and – using the nutrients of food – the creation (or synthesising) of vitamins, but not just for adults; for children too.

Indeed, the microbiota begins developing when a baby’s in its mother’s womb, before evolving in infancy and the early stages of childhood. As it develops, a child’s microbiota plays a critical role in shaping the development of immunity, specifically intestinal mucosal defence. To that end, it’s often been posited that, should the microbiota not develop properly or run into problems during childhood, conditions such as asthma, allergies, autoimmune diseases and even type 1 diabetes may be more likely to occur in a person several years down the line.

Gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions

Logic dictates then that the ‘good bacteria’ of children’s microbiota can only benefit from the additional ‘good bacteria’ of probiotics. Indeed, clinical studies have revealed certain probiotics may reduce a bout of diarrhoea in a child by 25 hours, roughly one-third its usual duration1. The best probiotics to seek out for this treatment – especially of acute gastroenteritis – appear to be Lactobacillus GG and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii2.

Moreover, these two probiotics are also among those to have shown promise in reducing – even halving – the likelihood that children being treated with antibiotics for an ailment will end up suffering from diarrhoea3, 4. Another gastrointestinal condition that probiotics are thought to be able to treat among the young – specifically premature and underweight babies – is necrotising enterocolitus5. Potentially fatal, this disease sees bacteria invade the wall of the intestine and, should it be allowed to develop, can cause such serious infection and inflammation that the bowel wall may eventually be destroyed.

There’s also research out there suggesting probiotics may help prevent children’s respiratory infections. A number of trials – the majority focusing on child subjects – have found that probiotics including Lactobacillus GG halve the risk of upper respiratory infections. And the trials also found that among kids who had developed such infections, one-third didn’t require antibiotics thanks to taking these probiotics. That said; the studies’ findings weren’t able to entirely identify the efficacy of one probiotic over another here, which may explain some doctors’ wariness in recommending routine use of probiotics to prevent respiratory infections7.

Aiding allergies?

Finally, it’s worth addressing the chatter there is around whether giving probiotics to children will help treat pre-existing allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases. It’s only fair to say this is a controversial subject in children’s health. While many assert these complaints appear to be on an upward trend among the young living in developed countries7, perhaps because infants and kids aren’t being exposed to certain ‘good bacteria’ as much as their forebears were (due to better sanitation, less exposure to bacteria-carrying animals and livestock, higher antibiotic use8 and more Caesarean-section births; the latter instance supposedly ensuring babies don’t receive ‘good bacteria’ from their mothers9), not every expert is convinced by the theory.

And, running with that, the research into whether, in helping restore kids’ microbial balance, probiotics can redress these allergy/ asthma/ autoimmune issues is in its early stages, unfortunately. So it’s difficult to say yes definitively. Time will tell on this question, it seems. What does appear to be true, though, is that giving babies probiotics may well reduce the chance of them developing eczema10 – which, in this particular area, is surely welcome news for parents.

Choosing probiotics for your child

By taking a quick look around our site, you’ll discover we stock a good number of highly reputable probiotics for children, all of them containing terrific health-giving properties. Indeed, by way of example, here are just three such probiotics available to buy from us at The Finchley Clinic:

Probiotics-For-Childs-Health

 

Optibac Probiotics for Babies & Children (90 sachets) – suitable for infants from six months and up, this probiotic supports the development of friendly bacteria for good digestive health and boosting natural immune defences and energy.

 

Childrens-Mindlinx-Powder

Children’s Mindlinx (powder/ 60g) – a high-potency live bacteria supplement comprising Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium lactis, along with added glutamine (an amino acid that’s crucial for healthy human muscle and plasma).

 

Kidslac

Kidslac (30 sachets) – essentially a children-friendly version of our highly popular products Threelac and Fivelac, Kidslac contains five different strains of healthy bacteria (including the DDS-1 strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus) in a delicious sour apple-powder base.

References

  1. Guarino A., Guandalini S. and Lo Vecchio A. ‘Probiotics for Prevention and Treatment of Diarrhea’. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2015 Nov-Dec; 49 Suppl 1:S37-45. doi: 10.
  1. Guarino A., Ashkenazi S., Gendrel D., Lo Vecchio A., Shamir R. and Szajewska H. ‘European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition/ European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases evidence-based guidelines for the management of acute gastroenteritis in children in Europe: update 2014’. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014 Jul; 59 (1): 132-52. doi: 10.
  1. Johnston B. C., Goldenberg J. Z., Vandvik P. O., Sun X. and Guyatt G. H. ‘Probiotics for the prevention of pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea’. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Nov; (11): CD004827. doi: 10.
  1. Hempel S. PhD, Newberry S. J. PhD, Maher A. R. MD, Wang Z. PhD, Miles J. N. V. PhD, Shanman R. MS, Johnsen B. BS, Shekelle P. G. MD, PhD. ‘Probiotics for the Prevention and Treatment of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis’. JAMA. 2012; 307 (18): 1959-1969. doi: 10.
  1. Alfaleh K. and Anabrees J. ‘Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants’. 2014 Apr. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005496.pub4.
  1. Williams K. and Tang M. ‘Probiotics may prevent upper respiratory tract infections, but should we recommend them?’. 2012 Oct. doi: 10.1111.
  1. Okada H., Kuhn C., Feillet H. and Bach J-F. ‘The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ for autoimmune and allergic diseases: an update’. Clin Exp Immunol. 2010 Apr; 160(1): 1–9. doi: 10.1111.
  1. Alm B., Erdes L., Möllborg P., Pettersson R., Norvenius S. G., Aberg N. and Wennergren G. ‘Neonatal antibiotic treatment is a risk factor for early wheezing’. Pediatrics. 2008 Apr; 121 (4): 697-702. doi: 10.1542.
  1. Bager P., Wohlfahrt J. and Westergaard T. ‘Caesarean delivery and risk of atopy and allergic disease: meta-analyses’. Clin Exp Allergy. 2008 Apr. 38 (4): 634-42. doi: 10.1111.
  1. Cuello-Garcia C. A., Brożek J. L., Fiocchi A., Pawankar R., Yepes-Nuñez J. J., Terracciano L., Gandhi S., Agarwal A., Zhang Y. and Schünemann H. J. ‘Probiotics for the prevention of allergy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Oct; 136 (4): 952-61. doi: 10.1016.