Culturelle Baby Grow + Thrive Probiotics + Vitamin D Drops

.30 fl oz, 9 ml
For babies 0-12 months: Pediatrician recommended probiotic drops that are safe and gentle using well studied strains. This potent blend supports growth and development as well as optimal digestive and immune system function.
Best For
Gas, bloating, diarrhea, immune system, growth & enhanced nutrient absorption
What's in It Results based on independent lab test > 2.5 Billion CFUs
Type

Type content

Strength
5/5
Results
5/5
Safety
5/5
Ingredients of Concern

None

Purity Tested

Passed all purity tests, inc yeast, mold, residues, Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.

  • Non-GMO
  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Sugar-free
  • Nut-free
    • Pros:
    • Culturelle's products have been used in scientific studies since 1968 ( a good sign)
    • Supports growth and development
    • Enhances optimal digestive and immune system function
    • Designed for babies 0-12 months
    • Drops can be easily dispensed into the mouth, bottle, or while breastfeeding
    • Lactobacillus rhamnosus is one of the most clinically-studied probiotics in infants [14]
    • Potent ingredients
    • Supports healthy levels of good bacteria found in breastmilk [15].
    • Dairy-free
    • Gluten-free (Meets the FDAs guidelines for gluten free)
    • Sugar-free (we are glad that Culturelle removed some unneeded ingredients in previous years)
    • No need to refrigerate
    • 20 years of experience behind this brand

    Ingredients Concern:  None discovered

    Cons:  May cause stomach discomfort in some infants.

    Culturelle is a Conneticut based company which boasts "a true difference" in their philosophy of probiotics. For one, they believe in using only specific strains of probiotics that are truly backed by science. They are dedicated to producing products that are safe for the whole family. Their claim to fame is due to a probitotic strain "Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG" which appears to be very effective in helping digestive issues. Jessica Alba is an advocate of their brand. All of their probiotics are gluten, soy and dairy free. They are also allergy friendly. Culturelle is part of IHealth under DSM Nutrition Products.

    Results:

    Lactobacillus rhamnosus has been clinically proven to target gastrointestinal problems in children such as abdominal discomfort, gas, etc. [7]. In addition, it supports healthy cholesterol, triglyceride, and liver fat levels in children, thereby promoting a healthier metabolism [8]. Pregnant woman with a strong family history of skin problems who took Lactobacillus rhamnosus and gave this probiotic to their infants for six months significantly reduced the incidence skin issues [9]. The benefits were still evident at two years of age for the infants who were given Lactobacillus rhamnosus during infancy [10]. Therefore, research strongly emphasizes supplementing the diet with Lactobacillus rhamnosus to support overall health [4]. Probiotics disrupt the growth of foreign invaders such as Candida and subsequently probiotics are often recommended for newborns to help disrupt infections; this in turn improves immune system activity [11]. Probiotics help protect essential nutrients from being quickly degraded by stomach acids [4, 12], this allows higher concentrations of nutrients to reach the bloodstream and vital organs. For example, calcium and iron absorption significantly improves when probiotics are taken regularly [4, 12]. The probiotics actually release organic acids that specifically target the cancer-causing enzymes in order to disrupt their activity. This subsequently improves the immune system's response to the destructive enzymes and it promotes their removal from the body [13].

    Safety:

    Carnauba wax is an ingredient that stands out here. However, The European Commission concluded that carnauba wax is not a safety concern although they note that more studies are needed. Culturelle has been recommended for 20 years and has a good standing. Culturelle aslo states that it inspects each lot of product for conformance to safety standards.

    Strength:

    2.5 Billion CFUs is an adequate doseage for an infant. The key point here is stability and whether or not your baby is actually getting the 2.5 billion CFUs after shipping, storing, selling, etc. In this case, the dark bottle does help protect the probiotics from light. But note that it will only last 8 weeks after opening. Culturelle stands behind their products and guarantees that if you store it correctly in a dry, cool area - the probiotics will be alive by the expiration date on the box. Also, note that kids need a significantly higher dosage.

    Immune system health [1, 2]; Digestive Function [2, 3]; Enhanced nutrient absorption [4]; Strong bones [5], Supports growth and development [6]
    Probiotics help maintain the optimal balance of good bacteria in the gut [2]. Probiotics also support optimal digestive function by releasing enzymes that help digest food as well as enzymes that target foreign invaders (e.g., Candida yeast) [11]. They also promote the proper breakdown and transport of nutrients into the bloodstream [4]. Enhanced digestion of food and nutrients leaves less undigested food in the intestinal tract, which is often the main cause of stomach discomfort after eating certain foods. Therefore, probiotics helps with gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea [2-4]. Probiotics enhance the body's natural antioxidant activity and this puts less strain on the immune system [16]. In doing so, taking probiotics strengthens the immune system. Introducing probiotics into the diet at an early age, particularly during the first year of life, boosts digestive function and immune tolerance [17]. Giving infants and young children probiotics helps reduce exaggerated immune responses to allergens that may cause some children to become hyper-allergic [18]. Probiotics also help balance the production of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory proteins [2]. Vitamin D supports the growth and development of strong bones and muscles [5, 6].

    Key Ingredients: 2.5 billion CFUs Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12); 10 mcg (400 IU) Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)

    All Ingredients: 10 mcg (400 IU) Vitamin D (cholecalciferol); 2.5 billion CFUs proprietary blend: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12); rice bran oil; carnuba wax;

    Shake before use. Before the first use, replace the cap with the dropper and discard the original cap. Use 5 drops once a day. Dispense directly into the baby's mouth, bottle, or while breastfeeding. Washing the dropper between use is not recommended. Once opened, use within 60 days. Yellow color and creamy consistency are normal Please discard the product six weeks after opening. Repeated opening and closing of the bottle exposes the probiotic to factors that compromise the quality of the product over time.
    These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
    1. Rask C, Adlerberth I, Berggren A, Ahren IL, Wold AE. Differential effect on cell-mediated immunity in human volunteers after intake of different lactobacilli. Clin Exp Immunol. 2013;172(2):321-332. 2. Kechagia M, Basoulis D, et al. Health benefits of probiotics: a review. ISRN Nutr. 2013;2013:481651. 3. Doron S, Snydman DR, Gorbach SL. Lactobacillus GG: bacteriology and clinical applications. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2005;34(3):483-498. 4. Sheridan PO, Bindels LB, et al. Can prebiotics and probiotics improve therapeutic outcomes for undernourished individuals? Gut Microbes. 2014; 5(1):74-82. 5. Laird E, Ward M, et al. Vitamin D and bone health: potential mechanisms. Nutrients. 2010;2(7):693-724. 6. Schagen SK, Zampeli VA, et al. Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):298-307. 7. Wegh CAM, Benninga MA, Tabbers MM. Effectiveness of Probiotics in Children With Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders and Functional Constipation: A Systematic Review. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2018;in press. 8. Famouri F, Shariat Z, Hashemipour M, Keikha M, Kelishadi R. Effects of Probiotics on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children and Adolescents. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2017;64(3):413-417. 9. Kalliomäki M, Salminen S, Arvilommi H, Kero P, Koskinen P, Isolauri E. Probiotics in primary disruption of atopic disease: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2001;357(9262):1076-1079. 10. Kukkonen K, Savilahti E, Haahtela T, et al. Probiotics and prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides in the disruption of allergic diseases: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;119(1):192-198. 11. Manzoni P, Mostert M, Leonessa ML, et al. Oral supplementation with Lactobacillus casei subspecies rhamnosus disrupts enteric colonization by Candida species in preterm neonates: a randomized study. Clin Infect Dis. 2006;42(12):1735-1742. 12. Bering S, Suchdev S, Sjøltov L, Berggren A, Tetens I, Bukhave K. A lactic acid-fermented oat gruel increases non-haem iron absorption from a phytate-rich meal in healthy women of childbearing age. Br J Nutr 2006;96:80-85. 13. Kumar M, Kumar A, Nagpal R, et al. Cancer-disrupting attributes of probiotics: an update. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2010;61(5):473-496. 14. Hojsak I. Probiotics in Children: What Is the Evidence? Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr. 2017;20(3):139-146. 15. Toscano M, De Grandi R, et al. Role of the Human Breast Milk-Associated Microbiota on the Newborns' Immune System: A Mini Review. Front Microbiol. 2017;8:2100. 2017. 16. Gomes AC, de Sousa RG, Botelho PB, Gomes TL, Prada PO, Mota JF. The additional effects of a probiotic mix on abdominal adiposity and antioxidant Status: A double-blind, randomized trial. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md). 2017;25(1):30-38. 17. Kliglerr B, Cohrssen A. Probiotics. Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(9):1073-1078. 18. Prescott SL, Dunstan JA, Hale J, et al. Clinical effects of probiotics are associated with increased interferon-gamma responses in very young children with atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Allergy. 2005;35(12):1557-1564.
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