Probiotics: friendly bacteria for children's intestinal health

Thanks to the microbiota, intestinal immune cells provide around 80% of our immunity. The microbiota present in the intestine is unique to each individual..^{2, 3, 4}

Probiotics: but what is microbiota?

The intestinal microbiota is a fairly recent term used to explain the immune function of the intestinal environment. It's an ecosystem of different kinds of bacteria that contribute to health and act against infectious agents, bacteria and/or viruses. The good bacteria attach themselves to the intestinal mucosa and prevent the bad bacteria from adhering to the intestine..^{2, 3, 4}

As soon as it is born, the baby benefits from the first bacteria to line its intestine, as these are acquired after the gestation period in the womb. This fusional relationship begins at birth, when we inherit our mother's species. As they pass through the birth canal, infants are exposed to their first micro-organisms. A healthy pregnancy, an antibiotic-free vaginal birth and breastfeeding are all elements that will have a major and very positive impact on the infant's life and immune system..^{1, 2, 3, 6}

Probiotics: what are intestinal bacteria good for?

From the age of two to three, the composition of intestinal flora stabilizes and becomes comparable to that of an adult. These good intestinal bacteria act on three levels. Firstly, they support the growing immune system, blocking the passage of pathogens such as toxins and allergens, and aiding food digestion.

A population of 10,000 billion micro-organisms from 1,000 to 1,150 strains live in symbiosis with the rest of our body. Intestinal health is strongly influenced by diet, environment, age, gender, weight and lifestyle. So the health of our microbiota is profoundly linked to our general state of health.

The bacteria present in the intestine are indispensable to the digestive system. They help to better integrate food compounds into the body, in particular fiber, and synthesize amino acids and beneficial substances such as B-complex vitamins and vitamin K..^{2, 3, 4}

Probiotics contribute to intestinal balance

For the intestine to maintain a healthy bacterial balance, it must eliminate every day. A low-fiber diet and repeated antibiotic use can all lead to an imbalance in intestinal flora. The consequences can include chronic constipation with or without diarrhoea, flatulence and/or a swollen abdomen. Over time, more serious disorders such as intestinal permeability (inflammation of the intestinal mucosa) can develop. These symptoms are a warning sign that a potential allergic terrain is developing.

When we think of intestinal health, we think of probiotics. It's important to choose a quality probiotic with multiple strains and sufficient concentration to adequately nourish the intestinal tract..^{1, 2 3, 4, 7}

Probiotics: food intolerances and our gut

These days, we hear more and more about food intolerances.

They are a physiological response to certain foods, but do not involve activation of the immune system as would an allergy. They may be caused by the absence of an enzyme that facilitates digestion of the problematic food, or a sign of irritation in the intestine. There are many causes, including constant stress, environmental factors and sensitivities to food additives such as sulfites, colorants or monosodium glutamate, often found in ready-made meals.

They can also lead to chronic inflammation, with imbalances in intestinal flora and altered intestinal impermeability.

Foods to watch out for that lead to this problem are wheat, gluten, dairy products, soy and corn, among others.

Main symptoms include gastric reflux, gastric pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and nausea.

Intolerances in children are often present in breast-feeding mothers, and are reflected in the baby's regurgitation or frequent crying, irritated buttocks, foul-smelling stools and atopic eczema.

The use of probiotic supplementation in conjunction with a revised diet causing intolerance will help..^{2, 3, 4}

Probiotics: the relationship between the gut and the brain

The intestine is an extremely valuable and complex organ, because in addition to participating in digestion, it actually has a major influence on our overall health. For example, we're now learning that there's a real dialogue between the intestine and the brain. As you know, when there's a change in routine or stressful moments, there can be obvious signs of stomach ache. The intestine will even contract more, causing spasms and speeding up transit. The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls the digestive system is known as the "enteric nervous system". As such, our gut partly determines our mental state and plays a key role in the immune system. New scientific research has shown that the gut-brain axis is one of our body's strongest links. That's why it's so important to do something from an early age to calm these stresses, which often arrive unexpectedly and are just as uncontrollable.

A probiotic is advisable to keep intestinal flora as healthy as possible..^3, 6

Probiotics: friendly bacteria for children's intestinal health

When the bacteria naturally present in the digestive system are weakened by symptoms such as infection or antibiotics, probiotics are a great help. Probiotics are more than just molecules; they are promoters of good bacteria. Antibiotics are anti-bacterial and make no distinction between good and bad bacteria, eliminating the reason for taking the antibiotic in the first place. So it's important to rebuild this bacterial flora with probiotics or fermented foods. If your child eats a balanced diet and is in good health, probiotics are also valuable allies in maintaining and/or strengthening the immune and digestive systems, and can be taken as a preventive measure..^{1, 2, 3}

Probiotics for children: Kids and Us from Innotech

Visit Kids and Us liquid probiotic is a tangy, invigorating drink made with organic black molasses. This recipe is complemented by an infusion of unique, fermented plants. From 10 complementary strains, these PH 3.5 bioactive liquid probiotics are good for the whole family. They help maintain good digestion and bacterial flora, and improve the absorption of nutrients from food.

Infusion is based on all these plants: aniseed, licorice root, fennel, basil, chervil, dill, fenugreek, ginger, juniper, nettle, oregano, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, thyme, beet, angelica, elderberry, chamomile, sage in a grape juice flavor, with stevia added as a sweetener. All non-GMO and gluten-free.⁵

Kids and Us from Innotech: peport on the benefits of a liquid supplement

• Visit liquid supplements are above all easy to swallow.

• Often flavored, they are particularly suitable for children and the elderly, as they do not cause swallowing problems (unlike tablets or capsules).

• It's easy to personalize the dosage, which can be progressive or even degressive.

• Mixes well with liquids, as in a smoothie or other liquid recipe.

• It is excellent for its bioavailability (active ingredients are rapidly absorbed by the body)

Feeding the gut friendly bacteria is good for our immune and digestive health!

About the author

Marie Couture, Certified Naturopath

Specialized in :

• Digestive disorders
•  Inflammation
• Hormonal problems
• Stress management

References :

1. Arsenault Céline, Natural care guide for the familyLe Dauphin Blanc, 2015, 388 pages
2. Arsenault Céline, Welcoming my child naturallyLe Dauphin Blanc, 2009, 395 pages.
3. Rôle et bienfaits du microbiote, La Semaine Santé, Thérien Paul
4. Joyeux Pr. Henri, Joyeux Jean, Better and healthier eating from 0 to 100 years of ageéditions du Rocher, 2017, 326 pages
5. https://laboiteagrains.com/products/probiotiques-kids-and-us-raisin-innotech

6. https://www.lapresse.ca/vivre/sante/201407/15/01-4784096-lintestin-notre-deuxieme-cerveau.php

7. https://naitreetgrandir.com/fr/etape/1_3_ans/comportement/fiche.aspx?doc=stress-chez-jeune-enfant

8. https://www.julienvenesson.fr/jonction-serree-intestin-role-fonction/