Healthy dose of good bacteria for tiny tummies
The healthy development of intestinal bacteria and immune system function in young children has been shown to be helped by healthy bacteria.
Four important and well researched and widely used probiotic strains are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium lactis (infantis) and Bifidobacterium bifidum.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the most widely used probiotic bacteria strains and is naturally found in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It has been shown to help promote and stimulate the immune system in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract and helps reduce the colonisation of unfriendly pathogenic bacteria and yeasts in the GI tract.
Lactobacillus casei is a strain of lactic acid bacteria is a natural inhabitant in the mouth and human gastrointestinal tract. It has been shown that L. casei can help to reduce the incidence and duration of diarrhoea in children and will provide a strong viable strain of lactobacillus in the GI tract.
Bifidobacterium lactis (infantis) is one of the most prominent of the beneficial bacteria found in the large intestine of infants and has been shown to be effective in treatment of acute diarrhoea and helps inhibit rotavirus infection in children. It has been found to boost the immune system been shown to increase phagocytic activity against E.coli species, as well as enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity. Recent reports have indicated that B. lactis supplemented in premature infants has resulted in an increase in secretory IgA, the most important immune protective substance within the GI mucosa.
Bifidobacterium bifidum is the predominant bacteria found colonising the large intestine. As a producer of lactic acid and acetic acid it can help to reduce the colonisation of opportunistic pathogenic organisms and has been shown to have a role in immuno-regulation. Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the gut can offer resistance to colonisation by other potentially pathogenic microbes, thereby functioning as part of the gut defense barrier.
Viridian Nutrition’s Children’s Synbiotic Complex Powder has been specially designed for the healthy development of infant intestinal bacteria and immune system function. It provides a symbiotic combination of healthy bacteria, researched and formulated for the use of children between the ages of 1-14.
The powder contains a combination of four important strains – Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei together with Bifidobacterium lactis (formerly known as B. infantis) and Bifidobacterium bifidum – at a dose of 2 billion organisms per gram of powder supplement.
The prebiotic inulin has been added to this formulation as it promotes the proliferation of good bacteria, and when brought together with the probiotic species shown above, creates what is known as a ‘synbiotic’ formula. Inulin has also been noted to increase short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) known to improve liver function and help the elimination of toxic compounds.
Viridian Nutrition’s Children’s Synbiotic Complex Powder retails at £15.85 for 60 grams and is available from all good independent health stores nationwide. Become a fan of Viridian Nutrition on Facebook for regular updates and visit viridian-nutrition.com for details of your nearest specialist health store stockist.