Probiotic Power

  1. Recommended daily dosages vary widely, anywhere from one million to 20 billion CFU (Colony Forming Units), but most experts utilize 1-10 billion CFU for infants, and 10-20 billion CFUs for older children and adults.

  2. To achieve and maintain a therapeutic effect, probiotics must be administered repeatedly to ensure a sufficient and consistent population level over time.

  3. General note for kids- have a probiotic which has lactobacillus and bifida bacteria in it.

  4. On a more clinical note, make sure when you use a probiotic in the first 2 years of life, use a probiotic specifically created for the newborn/infant.

  5. After 2 years of age, usually the microflora of the child is that of an adult and you can use the adult capsules

  6. Probiotic Foods: Kefir, Kimchi Kombucha, Miso Soup, Natto, Pickles, Sauerkraut, Soy Milk Tempeh, Yogurt

W ell-Researched Organisms with Probiotic Potential:

  • Lactobacillus GG

  • Lactobacillus reuteri

  • Lactobacillus plantarum

  • Lactobacillus casei

  • Lactobacillus acidophilus

  • Bifidobacterium infantum

  • Bifidobacterium bifidum

  • Streptococcus thermophilus

  • Saccharomyces boulardii (yeast) 

Probiotics I recommend by symptoms:

1. Colic:  Klaire Labs/ Jarrow infant formula (power formulation)

2. Constipation: 2 years of age to 12 years of age: Nature’s Way Primidophilus optima (powder or capsule) or RAW Garden of Life. Greater than 12 years of age: Just Thrive or Digest Zone (capsules)

3.  Cold/ Cough/URI: True N ature (Costco brand) with lactobacillus rhamnosus 10 billion CFU daily for 21 days

4. Dental health: GUM – Perio balance probiotic

5. Diarrhea: Antibiotic associated/viral/traveler’s diarrhea: Florastor- S boularidi

 

blogRupa Mahadevan