Which probiotics are essential for infants?
August 1, 2021
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Organic Kids Plus Probiotics + Vitamins C & D
30 chewables, Berry Cherry flavor
Made in
Various undisclosed countries
Certified USDA Organic probiotic and prebiotic blend that was designed especially for kids to boost digestive health and immune system function. This powerful supplement contains 14 probiotic strains as well as vitamin C and D for added immune support and strong bones.
Best For
Promotes digestive and Immune system health [1-3]; Promotes strong bones [4]
Strength
5/5
Results
5/5
Safety
5/5
- Vegetarian
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Non-toxic
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Kosher
- No-sugar added
- Soy-free
- Nut-free
- Pros:
- Especially designed for kids to boost digestive health, immune system function and the growth of strong bones
- Gluten-free
- Soy-free
- Dairy-free
- No added sugar
- Non-GMO
- Preservative free
- Vegetarian
- Tasty berry flavored chewables
- Contains 14 probiotic strains
- USDA organic
- Free of carriers, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners
- Contains prebiotic fiber
- Grown without toxic pesticides, antibiotics, or hormones and no genetic engineering
Ingredients Concern: None discovered
Cons: Probiotics may cause stomach discomfort in some children.
- Made in a nut free facility. However, while this product does not contain peanuts, it is not labeled as Peanut Free as Garden of Life does not test for the presence of peanuts in the product.
- While none of the ingredients in Dr. Formulated Organic Kids+ are derived from eggs, because they do not test the final product for the presence of eggs they are unable to give you an absolute guarantee that it is free of it. (Unless a product is specifically tested for the presence of an ingredient, it is not labeled it as such and therefore it cannot be relied on to be egg free.)
Fantastic USA company with mission to create nutritious supplements from whole foods grown in rich organic non-GMO soil and empower extraordinary health, (recently bought by Nestle.) The number one (1) brand in the natural supplements industry. This US-based Facility with headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida strives to produce clean, organic, and non-GMO products that boost overall health. Ingredients are grown with sufficient sun, air, water, and time in order to develop power-packed nutritious food supplements.
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most commonly used strains of probiotics for adults and children [5]. Furthermore, probiotic supplementation with these two strains is linked to a shorter duration and incidence of stomach issues, including diarrhea [6-8]. Probiotics improve the body's response to allergens, especially cat and dog hair, pollen, and dust mites, by thickening the viscosity of the airway's mucosal lining and disrupting the production of pro-inflammatory proteins [9]. This type of enhanced immunity and reduced sensitivity to allergens is dramatically improved and sustained when supplementation starts at an early age [10, 11]. Probiotic supplementation with 5 billion CFUs daily supports overall health in young children and research also shows that probiotics can regularly be taken, they rarely cause any side effects, and do not usually interact with medicine [9]. In addition, research shows that prebiotics (oligosaccharides) are a good source of nutrients for probiotics that improve their activity and growth [1].
Strength:
5 billion CFUs is in alignment with recommendations. Research shows that taking a minimum of 5 billion CFUs of probiotics daily promotes health in children, they can be taken safely on a regular basis, they do not typically interact with any medication, and they rarely cause adverse effects [9]. Research indicates that the daily serving of probiotics which supports optimal digestive and immune system function for adults is 10 billion CFUs [3, 9].
Promotes digestive and Immune system health [1-3]; Promotes strong bones [4]
Probiotics enhance the health of the digestive tract by improving the levels of good bacteria in the gut [1]. In addition, to disrupting the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, probiotics release enzymes and other substances that have antimicrobial activity [3]. Several of the enzymes also aid the digestion of food and this reduces the occurrence of food-related stomach problems (e.g., constipation, gas, bloating, diarrhea) [12]. Furthermore, probiotics heighten the breakdown of nutrients, which means that a higher concentration of essential nutrients reaches the bloodstream and different areas of the body [1].
Probiotics also strengthen the immune system by disrupting pro-inflammatory protein activity, stimulating the release of immunoglobulins, and heightening the body's natural antioxidant potential [13]. They also promote the proper balance of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory proteins [14].
Research also shows that the earlier in life that probiotics are introduced to the regular diet, the better the health of the digestive and immune system during childhood and later on in life [9, 15].
The body's cells require vitamin D for the growth and development of strong bones and muscles [4].
Vitamin C has potent antioxidant properties and it is well-known for strengthening the immune system through its ability to disrupt the release of pro-inflammatory proteins and the cortisol hormone in response to stress [2, 16-18]. Supplementation with vitamin C also targets fatigue [2]. In addition, vitamin C promotes the breakdown of amino acids such as tyrosine and this leads to heightened energy levels [2].
Key Ingredients: 30 mg Vitamin C (from Organic Amla Berry); 10 mcg (400 IU) Vitamin D (as D3); 4 billion CFUs Lactobacillus Acidophilus; Lactobacillus gasseri; Lactobacillus Paracasei; Lactobacillus Plantarum; Lactobacillus Casei; Lactobacillus brevis ; Lactobacillus Rhamnosus; Lactobacillus Salivarius; and Lactobacillus Bulgaricus; 1 billion CFUs Bifidobacterium Lactis; Bifidobacterium Breve; Bifidobacterium Infantis; Bifidobacterium Bifidum; Bifidobacterium Longum
All Ingredients: 30 mg Vitamin C (from Organic Amla Berry); 10 mcg (400 IU) Vitamin D (as D3); 4 billion CFUs Lacto Cultures: Lactobacillus Acidophilus; Lactobacillus gasseri; Lactobacillus Paracasei; Lactobacillus Plantarum; Lactobacillus Casei; Lactobacillus brevis ; Lactobacillus Rhamnosus; Lactobacillus Salivarius; and Lactobacillus Bulgaricus; 1 billion CFUs Bifido cultures: Bifidobacterium Lactis; Bifidobacterium Breve; Bifidobacterium Infantis; Bifidobacterium Bifidum; and Bifidobacterium Longum; Organic Acacia Fiber (A. senegal); Organic Whole Cranberry (fruit); Organic Amla Berry (fruit);Clean Tablet Technology Blend (organic tapioca dextrose, organic tapioca maltodextrin, organic sunflower lecithin, organic palm oil, organic guar gum); o
For children 4 years and older, chew 1 tablet daily under adult supervision. Best if refrigerated.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
1. Sheridan PO, Bindels LB, et al. Can prebiotics and probiotics improve therapeutic outcomes for undernourished individuals? Gut Microbes. 2014; 5(1):74-82.
2. Padayatty SJ, Levine M. New insights into the physiology and pharmacology of vitamin C. CMAJ 2001;164:353-5.
3. Kechagia M, Basoulis D, et al. Health benefits of probiotics: a review. ISRN Nutr. 2013;2013:481651.
4. Laird E, Ward M, et al. Vitamin D and bone health: potential mechanisms. Nutrients. 2010;2(7):693-724.
5. Szajewska H, Konarska Z, Kolodziej M. Probiotic bacterial and fungal strains: claims with evidence. Dig Dis. 2016;34:251-259.
6. Hempel S, Newberry SJ, Maher AR, et al. Probiotics for the disruption and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012;307(18):1959-1969.
7. Ouwehand AC, DongLian C, Weijian X, et al. Probiotics reduce symptoms of antibiotic use in a hospital setting: a randomized dose response study. Vaccine. 2014;32(4):458-463.
8. Deshpande GC, Rao SC, Keil AD, Patole SK. Evidence-based guidelines for use of probiotics in preterm neonates. BMC Med. 2011;9:92.
9. Kliglerr B, Cohrssen A. Probiotics. Am Fam Physician. 2008, 78(9):1073-1078.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Fooks LJ, Gibson GR. Probiotics as modulators of the gut flora. Br J Nutr. 2002;88 suppl 1:S39-S49.
14. Doron S, Snydman DR, Gorbach SL. Lactobacillus GG: bacteriology and clinical applications. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2005;34(3):483-498.
15. 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.
16. Peters EM, Anderson R, Nieman DC, et al. Vitamin C supplementation attenuates the increases in circulating cortisol, adrenaline and anti-inflammatory polypeptides following ultramarathon running. Int J Sports Med. 2001;22:537-43.
17. Leibovitz B, Siegel BV. Ascorbic acid and the immune response. Adv Exp Med Biol 1981;135:1-25.
18. Hemila H. Vitamin C intake and susceptibility to the common cold. Br J Nutr 1997;77:59-72.
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