Index:
What are Probiotics?
5 Major Benefits of Probiotics
How to Choose Probiotics? 8 Key Points Recommended by Nutritionists
When is the Best Time to Take Probiotics? Recommended to Take Before Breakfast
How to Take Probiotics Most Effectively?
3 Frequently Asked Questions About Probiotics
What are Probiotics?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), probiotics are defined as "live microorganisms that brings a health benefit to the host in adequate amounts via intake."
In other words, probiotics are "live bacteria" that are beneficial to human health when consumed in sufficient amount. Probiotics mainly reside in the human digestive tract, helping to maintain the balance of gut flora, enhance immunity, and promote digestion and absorption.
5 Major Benefits of Probiotics
Benefit 1: Smooth Bowel Movements
Supplementing with probiotics can alter the bacterial ecosystem in the digestive tract, thereby improving digestive health and enhancing the motility of the digestive system, which helps to ensure smooth bowel movements.
Children's bowel movements are often a major concern for parents. If a child experiences discomfort and cries or throws tantrums, it can create a tense atmosphere and cause parents much distress. Therefore, maintaining smooth bowel movements can contribute to a harmonious family environment.
Benefit 2: Digestion and Absorption Improvement
Probiotics help promote the digestion and absorption of food. Research shows that certain probiotics can produce lactase, which aids in the digestion and absorption of lactose, alleviating discomfort caused by lactose intolerance. Additionally, during the lactose digestion process, probiotics can not only reduce discomfort but also use lactose as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, maintaining digestive health.
Maintaining overall digestive function is crucial during a child's growth period. Proper absorption of nutrients helps regulate various physiological functions, supporting comprehensive health and development in children.
Benefit 3: Appetite Enhancement
Probiotics can stimulate appetite.
There’s fact that probiotics can play a role in enhancing appetite, this is not the primary benefit they offer. They indirectly increase appetite by maintaining digestive system health. Here are some possible mechanisms:
1. Promoting Nutrient Absorption: Probiotics help maintain a balanced gut flora, which improves nutrient absorption. When the body absorbs sufficient nutrients, appetite generally increases.
2. Enhancing Metabolism: Probiotics can influence metabolism, helping the body utilize nutrients more effectively, which can lead to an increased appetite.
3. Affecting the Nervous System: Some studies suggest that changes in gut flora can affect the nervous system, potentially impacting appetite.
Although probiotics can help stimulate appetite, it requires deeper concern since the appetite is influenced by multiple factors and maybe further research is needed to establish a direct correlation.
For parents dealing with picky eaters who refuse to eat meals or vegetables, it can be so frustrating to prepare comprehensive nutritious meals. Supplementing the right probiotics might be the first step for better appetite and willingness to eat.
Benefit 4: Physical Conditioning and Immunity Enhancing
Probiotics help in adjusting the overall physical condition and enhancing the body's protective mechanisms.
Probiotics can enhance immunity and adjust physical conditions by regulating the gut microbiota, protecting the gut surface, and adjusting the body's constitution.
1. Regulating Gut Microbiota: Probiotics help balance the bacteria in the gut, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which contributes to improved immunity.
2. Protecting the Gut Surface: Probiotics strengthen the gut surface barrier, forming a protective shield that prevents invaders from attaching and growing. They compete for nutrients and receptors, making it difficult for harmful organisms to survive on the surface, thus enhancing protection.
3. Physical Conditioning : The gut is surprisingly the second most important core base of the human body because it is our largest protective system. If children start taking probiotics from a young age to adjust their constitution and build a healthy foundation, they will be better equipped to face external threats and adapt to changes. Probiotics help mature and enhance the function of the body's protective system, enabling more effective responses to external invasions.
Benefit 5: Maintaining a Good Mood
Probiotics contribute to the production of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which positively affect mood, emotions, and sleep. This can enhance overall health and well-being.
Stable emotions and physical health help children explore and develop without interruptions, promote a positive attitude towards a balanced diet, and reduce negative emotions during growth, fostering a happy and healthy child.
In summary, probiotics improve digestive health by altering gut flora balance, aiding in smooth bowel movements, promoting nutrient absorption, adjusting physical constitution, enhancing immunity, regulating neurotransmitter production, and indirectly boosting appetite.
Probiotics are a valuable companion in a child's growth journey, offering numerous benefits. Whether for specific needs or daily maintenance, probiotics are an essential and accessible nutritional supplement.
How to Choose Probiotics? 8 Key Points Recommended by Nutritionists
With countless probiotic options on the market, selecting the right one for children requires careful consideration. Here are eight key points recommended by nutritionists to help evaluate children's probiotics effectively:
1. Different Specific Strains
Functionality: Different probiotic strains have varying effects on digestive health. It’s important to choose strains based on specific needs. Common strains include Lactobacillus, Acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium.
Variety: Since it’s difficult to know which strains might be lacking, it's beneficial to try multiple strains. If continuous supplementation shows no effect, it could be due to poor product quality, supplementation of non-deficient strains, or lack of periodic changes.
2. Multiple Strains
Choose products with at least two different strains. A diverse range of strains is generally believed to be more beneficial for digestive health, as they work together to promote overall health.
3. Labeled Strain Codes
Strain codes act as an ID for probiotics, ensuring the safety and quality of the product. Strain codes indicate that the strains have been researched and tested. Even within the same species, different strains have different properties and effects. Confirming the strain codes on probiotic products is crucial for choosing and trusting the product.
4. Sufficient Bacteria Count
A common recommendation is to supplement with 5 to 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) daily. Studies suggest that less than 5 billion CFUs per day may not have significant effects. However, individual needs may vary, so the optimal dosage may differ for each person.
5. Encapsulation Technology
The effectiveness of probiotics is closely related to their protective technology. Common methods include freeze-drying, embedding technology, and multi-layer encapsulation. These techniques protect probiotics from digestive juices, ensuring they remain active upon reaching the gut. Choose products with protective technology to maximize benefits.
6. Contain Prebiotics Formula
Probiotics should include prebiotics, which act as food for probiotics, providing them with energy. Prebiotics are typically indigestible carbohydrates that create an ideal environment for probiotics, further enhancing digestive health.
7. Additives checkup
Avoid Laxatives: Probiotics with laxatives often have a strong bowel-stimulating effect. While they may quickly resolve bowel issues initially, long-term use can lead to dependency and reduce the digestive tract's natural ability to function, creating a vicious cycle. Check for common laxatives like senna, cascara, and aloe vera extract before purchasing.
Minimal Additives: Choose products with minimal or no unnecessary additives, such as sugar, coloring, or preservatives. Complex ingredients can be detrimental to probiotics. Opt for products with fewer additives to reduce excess burden on the body.
8. Verified Testing Reports Probiotic products should have reports from impartial testing agencies, including checks for bacteria count and safety. These reports ensure the product meets labeled standards and maintains high quality and safety.
Choosing long-established, trustworthy brands can also provide peace of mind. These companies typically offer comprehensive planning and control over quality assurance, product design, food safety, and testing reports. However, always refer to these eight key points when selecting probiotics for your child.
When is the Best Time to Take Probiotics? Recommended to Take Before Breakfast
The optimal time to take probiotics can vary from person to person. However, in general, the following four times are recommended:
- Early Morning on an Empty Stomach Taking probiotics on an empty stomach in the morning can be beneficial because the secretion of digestive juices is lower at this time, and there are no other food components to interfere with the absorption of probiotics. This helps probiotics better establish a healthy digestive tract.
- Before Bedtime Some studies suggest that taking probiotics before bedtime can help maintain digestive health more effectively.
- Before Meals, Avoid Taking with Meals Taking probiotics before meals can enhance their absorption as there are no other food components to interfere with. This is similar to taking them on an empty stomach in the morning. However, if the probiotics have encapsulation technology, the timing (before or after meals) is less critical.
- During Specific Periods During certain periods, such as after taking antibiotics or while traveling, taking probiotics may help maintain gut health. Probiotics should not be taken simultaneously with antibiotics to avoid killing the good bacteria. It is recommended to space them out by 2-3 hours.
The summary for the best time to take probiotics is generally early morning before breakfast, as before bedtime and before meals come after, and then after meals. It is not suggested to consume probiotics with meals and antibiotics. A 2-3 hours interval is essential.
However, the timing of taking probiotics is not the most critical factor. When it comes to the efficacy to the utmost, it is essential to continue taking them regularly without pause. Therefore, you can adjust the timing based on your child's daily routine and preferably choose children's probiotics with encapsulation technology for better results.
How to Take Probiotics Most Effectively?
Choosing the right product is one thing, proper storage of purchased probiotics is another crucial thing. Probiotics are sensitive and need to be stored in a dry, cool place or refrigerated to avoid high temperatures, humidity, and direct sunlight. Proper storage significantly reduces the chance of product degradation, maintaining the quality and effectiveness of probiotics. Here’s how to consume probiotics for maximum effectiveness:
1. Consistency and Continuous Use
For probiotics to be effective, they must be taken regularly and without interruption. A minimum supplementation period of one week is recommended, with long-term maintenance ideally measured in months, to achieve comprehensive digestive health benefits.
2. Buy Fresh and Consume Quickly
Probiotics' potency diminishes over time, similar to the way fresh produce loses its nutritional value. Even with quality packaging and proper storage, it's advisable to buy fresh and consume promptly to ensure the highest efficacy.
3. Keep a Balanced Diet
While supplementing with probiotics, it's essential to maintain a balanced diet. Probiotics are a supplemental nutrition source and cannot solve all issues alone. For instance, if probiotics are taken to aid bowel movements, but water, oils, and dietary fiber intake are not calculated and adjusted, the effects may be limited. Dietary adjustments should be considered simultaneously. Additionally, dietary fiber in foods serves as a source of prebiotics, which is crucial for the effectiveness of probiotics. Therefore, consuming foods rich in fiber and fermented foods is beneficial for probiotics.
4. Proper Storage and Usage
Paying attention to high temperatures. Ensuring probiotics are not added to overly hot foods or drinks. Although it's generally not recommended to take probiotics with meals, certain groups, such as infants, may have to take them with formula milk. In such cases, It is important to pay attention to the timing when adding probiotics. After preparing the milk, wait for it to cool to a temperature that is safe for the child to drink before adding the probiotics. This prevents high temperatures from affecting the product and ensures its effectiveness.
3 Frequently Asked Questions About Probiotics
1. Who Should Not Take Probiotics?
While probiotics are beneficial for most people, certain groups should be cautious or avoid them unless advised by a healthcare professional. These groups include: those with compromised immune systems, people undergoing antibiotic treatment, individuals who have had intestinal surgery, those with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or specific diseases, should consult a professional before taking probiotics or avoid them altogether. Additionally, special populations such as infants and pregnant women should use probiotics with caution.
2. Can Probiotics Be Taken Long-Term?
Probiotics are classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they are considered safe for regular consumption under normal conditions. Generally, probiotics can be taken long-term. However, individuals with specific health conditions or those experiencing adverse reactions should consult healthcare professionals before continuing use. Always monitor your body’s response and discontinue use if any discomfort arises, seeking professional advice if necessary.
3. How Often Should Probiotics Be Changed?
To maintain a diverse and balanced gut microbiome and ensure comprehensive digestive health, it is recommended to periodically change probiotic products for diverse strains. This practice exposes the body to different strains of beneficial bacteria, promoting a healthy balance and preventing the overgrowth of any single strain. Typically, it is advisable to switch probiotic formulations every 1 to 3 months. This helps ensure that a variety of beneficial strains are introduced, supporting overall gut health.
RISAL Probiotics Related Products Recommendation
Select Probiotics with Patent Numbers to Guarantee Quality
RISAL Probiotics use patented strains with clearly labeled strain names, providing reassurance and guaranteed quality. The active lactic acid bacteria strains used include, Lactobacillus plantarum (LP198), Bifidobacterium animalis (BAL06), Lactobacillus fermentum (LF26), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LRH10), Lactobacillus paracasei (LPC12), Bifidobacterium infantis (BI17), Bifidobacterium longum (BL986), Lactobacillus brevis (BR18), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA1063), Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB14), Streptococcus thermophilus (ST30), Lactobacillus helveticus (LH43)
12 Diverse Strains for Comprehensive Efficacy
Each strain provides different health benefits for the digestive tract. The formula uses a diverse range of strains to more completely and comprehensively support digestive health and smooth bowel movements. The symbiotic relationship among these strains increases efficiency. Additionally, considering individual differences in constitution and dietary complexity, a multi-strain formula has more advantages than a single-strain one.
15 Billion CFU at Production for Noticeable Effects
Each batch of products is tested to ensure a consistent 15 billion CFU (colony-forming units) per packet. This sufficient quantity of probiotics is necessary to achieve health benefits.
Patented Freeze-Drying Embedding Technology for Effective Probiotics
The use of patented freeze-drying embedding technology protects the probiotics from being destroyed by stomach acid and bile, allowing them to reach and colonize the digestive tract effectively, maximizing their benefits.
High-Quality and Safe Formula
The products do not contain laxatives, and to prioritize children's health, they are free from added sugar, artificial colors, and preservatives. The formula is kept minimal yet palatable for children. The addition of prebiotics enhances the effect of probiotics and supports smooth bowel movements. Each batch comes with a dedicated inspection report to ensure ingredient quality and safety, providing transparency and peace of mind.
2 Digestive Health Probiotic Formulas
To maintain a diverse and healthy digestive ecosystem, it's important to periodically switch probiotic supplements. RISAL offers two formulas specifically designed for digestive health and smooth bowel movements as "Probiotics Granules" and “Probiotics for Lactose Intolerance”. Apart from the different strains selected for each, the main difference is that Probiotics for Lactose Intolerance contains lactase, which enables kids in lactose digestion. These two products can be alternated regularly to help children maintain digestive health.
Author: Jessie Feng, Nutritionist
References sourcing:
Xinzhou Wang, Peng Zhang, Xin Zhang. (2021)Probiotics Regulate Gut Microbiota: An Effective Method to Improve Immunity. 10.3390/molecules26196076
Sophia J. Oak, Rajesh Jha. (2018). The effects of probiotics in lactose intolerance: A systematic review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Volume 59, 2019 - Issue 11.
Morvarid Noormohammadi, Zeinab Ghorbani, Ulrike Löber, Marjan Mahdavi-Roshan, Theda U.P. Bartolomaeus, Asma Kazemi, Nargeskhatoon Shoaibinobarian, Sofia K. Forslund. (2023). The effect of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on appetite-regulating hormones and desire to eat: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Pharmacological Research, Volume 187.
Latif A, Shehzad A, Niazi S, Zahid A, Ashraf W, Iqbal MW, Rehman A, Riaz T, Aadil RM, Khan IM, Özogul F, Rocha JM, Esatbeyoglu T and Korma SA (2023) Probiotics: mechanism of action, health benefits and their application in food industries. Front. Microbiol. 14:1216674
Abdul Latif Rahimi, Abdul Malik Himmat, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Clinic, Shaikh Zayed University, AFGHANISTAN, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Preclinic, Kunduz University, AFGHANISTAN. (2022). Probiotics and Health Benefits. International Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology,Volume-9, Issue-2.
Karan Prajapati, Krithika Bisani, Harsh Prajapati, Siddharth Prajapati, Dharmista Agrawal, Sweta Singh, Meenu Saraf & Dweipayan Goswami. (2023). Advances in probiotics research: mechanisms of action, health benefits, and limitations in applications. Systems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing, Volume 4, pages 386–406.