{"id":2902,"date":"2022-08-25T17:21:36","date_gmt":"2022-08-25T17:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdhf.staging.not4prod.com\/?p=2902"},"modified":"2023-02-08T20:18:19","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T20:18:19","slug":"your-guide-to-probiotics-for-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/your-guide-to-probiotics-for-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to: Probiotics for Children"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a parent, you want to give your baby the best start in life. You are conscious of your baby\u2019s health and development and want to ensure they grow up happy and healthy. There is a lot of talk today about probiotics for children and how probiotics can benefit children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you didn\u2019t know, The World Health Organization defines probiotics as \u2018Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host\u2019. In plain language, probiotics are \u201cgood microbes\u201d that help us digest food, maintain health and fight disease. Many Canadians are hearing about how great probiotics are, and are looking to supplement their diet with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not every child will need to be given probiotic. Early life exposures to microbes in the world we live in, playing outside, having a pet, eating variety of food are all factors supporting good gut microbes and in turn good health.\u00a0 There are numerous reasons why probiotics may be beneficial for your child<\/a>, but you\u2019ll want to make sure they take the right one, for the right reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so many probiotics available on the market \u2013 how do you choose which one is best for your child?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Probiotics have been identified as a treatment for specific conditions and for symptom relief. It\u2019s important that you talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian FIRST before taking a probiotic, to ensure your child has a proper diagnosis, or know why your child may take it. Together, you can select an appropriate probiotic that is the most suitable for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products can help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The issue of choosing the right probiotic for the right reasons\u00a0has\u00a0been\u00a0addressed\u00a0in the\u00a0Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products<\/a>. The Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products is an evidence-based decision-making tool for clinicians, which is independently prepared and updated every year. This project has been going on since 2008, and has been recognized as\u00a0the\u00a0only<\/strong>\u00a0reliable resource\u00a0by international healthcare associations\u00a0providing health care professionals and consumers with a list of probiotic\u00a0formulations\u00a0that have been\u00a0specifically\u00a0clinically tested \u2013 so they can select the appropriate product, dose, and formulation for\u00a0a specific indication.\u00a0To be included in the guide, all of the inclusion criteria must be met:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/strong> Commercially available in Canada (or the US) as a supplement or probiotic-containing food
2<\/strong>. Generally Recognized as Safe status (FDA) and\/or Natural Product Number (Health Canada) for probiotic strain(s) used in the products
3.<\/strong> Favourable published clinical evidence for the particular strain(s) present in each product
4<\/strong>. For products containing multiple strains, the evidence must be for the specified combination and NOT extrapolated from the evidence for the separate probiotic strains<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alliance for Education on Probiotics (AEProbio<\/a>) supports publishing and distribution of this Guide.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the Guide, the recommendations are tied to brand names, making it easier for you to select the recommended product when purchasing in stores. Probiotic strain names and doses are also listed. Favorable published clinical evidence for the particular strain(s) presented in each product are given and include numerous gastrointestinal conditions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The handy acronym list makes it easy for you to find the product that has clinical evidence for your specific condition:  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n