The truth about probiotics for kids

Most of us never think about the trillions of microorganisms (aka microbiota) that live largely in our intestines. But they do everything from stimulating our immune systems and preventing us from getting sick to synthesizing vitamins so our bodies can benefit from them. The truth is, we should be thinking about our gut health—and doing everything we can to protect our microbiota so they can protect us—and our kids.

More and more research studies reveal the role good gut bacteria can play. In July 2021, researchers at the University of Alberta found a link between beneficial gut bacteria and advanced cognition and language skills in infant boys. In April 2022, University of Helsinki researchers discovered that even a single course of antibiotics can affect the delicate balance of a baby’s microbiome (the collection of microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes, that naturally live on and in our bodies). One of the best ways to maintain healthy gut microbiota and prevent the potentially disruptive effects of antibiotics is by taking a daily dose of probiotics.

Good gut health is important from day one

“Gut microbiota is what makes you special,” says Dr. Gianluca Ianiro, a gastroenterologist and researcher. “We share more than 99.9 percent of the human genome with other people, but we share only 10 to 20 percent of the gut bacteria genome. Gut microbiota is what makes us unique.” That unique microbiome can be influenced from the moment we’re born, Ianiro says. Everything from delivery—vaginal or Caesarean—and breast compared to bottle feeding can change a baby’s microbiota. “In the first two years of life, the so-called ‘native core microbiota’ is established and it’s what we take with us for the rest of our lives.”

A healthy microbiome is crucial for both metabolic and immune function, Ianiro says, which is why it’s important to protect children’s microbiota from an early age. “When there is an imbalance of the gut microbiota, it changes to survive,” he says. One of the biggest stressors that can cause imbalances is antibiotic use, which kills all bacteria, good and bad. “We have data that shows antibiotic use in the first two years of life can lead to an increased risk of the future development of inflammatory bowel disease, weight gain and obesity.”

How probiotics help

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can keep delicate gut flora in balance. A daily probiotic, such as Florastor, not only supports general gastrointestinal health and helps treat acute infectious diarrhea, but also reduces the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and imbalance. “Antibiotic diarrhea affects one in four people who take antibiotics,” Ianiro confirms. Florastor offers safe, clinically proven probiotics for all ages, including infants as young as three months old. It’s the only probiotic that contains Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745, which is naturally resistant to all antibiotics tested. 

The Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 strain is a safe and effective yeast probiotic that was first discovered in Indochina in the early 1900s from the skins of two tropical fruits—lychees and mangosteens. The strain has since been studied in more than 100 clinical trials worldwide and has promoted gut health in adults and children for 65 years and counting.

To learn more about keeping your gut healthy and happy, visit Florastor.ca

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Probiotics for kids and babies Florastor probiotics are GMO-free, gluten-free and vegetarian. They’re also convenient as, unlike many other probiotics, they don’t need refrigeration. Best of all, Florastor probiotics can be taken at the same time as antibiotics to reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by up to 80 percent in children and 84 percent in adults. 

Florastor Baby: Beginning at three months, these powder sachets can be mixed into an infant’s food, breast milk or formula to support digestive and immune health, treat diarrhea and reduce vomiting. 

Florastor Kids: It is specially formulated to promote healthy digestion in children in a kid-pleasing tutti-frutti flavour.