Yogurt and probiotics are they safe and are there really any benefits?
We all of heard of probiotics and how it helps us live a healthier and longer life. We know the easiest way to receive them is through that cup of yogurt. Many of us go ahead and give that yogurt like Yoplait Kid’s yogurt to our kids to receive health benefits as well. Now comes the question are they really safe for our kids? Science answers yes but they also add they do not really do much for kids health.
There have been studies demonstrating that probiotics could be useful in treating and preventing diarrhea but the results are not much.
Studies have examined the effect of probiotics on gut issues like irritable bowl syndrome and have not always shown benefits. Now the American Academy of Pediatrics had confronted the question on probiotics and their benefits if any on children. They answer to that lingering question came up negative. There are no benefits for constipation relief in children consuming probiotics. Leaving those attempts of getting your kids to yogurt for the benefits of probiotics is an exercise in futility.
According to Dr. Frank Greer, professor of pediatrics at Meriter Hospital in Wisconsin, and lead researcher for the academy had stated due to the amount of evidence he can positively state that he does not suggest for parent’s to go out of the way to give their children probiotics. Even consuming yogurt with five kinds of probiotics in it as soon as they are done consuming the yogurt their bodies will go back to their normal state.
Does this mean they don’t really work?
There has been evidence that they could prevent infections of pathogens which cause diarrhea. In 2005, one study consisting of around 200 infant’s age range four to ten months had received probiotics for three months. On average those who had probiotics had 0.37 days of diarrhea in comparison to those who did not have the probiotics and had diarrhea for 0.59 days.
There have been studies which advocated that consuming probiotics could help the immune system in young children by developing in a healthy way and halt some allergies, asthma or eczema.
The fact still remains that the results in randomized clinical trials have not shown probiotics as being beneficial for treating irritable bowl syndrome, infantile colic, chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease or prevention of cancers.
It is emphasized that high doses of probiotics do not cause any negative health effects in healthy full term babies. However, it is being warned that probiotics may cause some risks to some children. These children include premature babies, children who have weakened immune systems and children with catheters or other medical devices inside them.
The final conclusion of the American Academy of Pediatrics is that more research is required to determine the long term effects of probiotics in children. If research does determine there is a benefit for children research then will need to determine how much children should have and for what length of time in order to receive the most benefits.
Which leaves the bottom line if your children are healthy and love yogurt there is no harm but there are no benefits either?
If yogurt is not really beneficial then what foods are really healthy for kids today?
Dr. Timothy Harlan, medical director of the Tulane University School of Medicine states freshness is the key, if it has been processed it is not really likely to be healthy for your kids. Instead of fruit roll ups buy fresh or dried fruit.
Registered Dietician Ashley Koff and celebrity nutritionist notes that the vital nutrient for kids is fiber and she means the real kind not the synthetic type. Real fiber is in apples, fruit vegetables and ground flax seeds.
Among the fruits and vegetables are:
Nuts due the fact they provide energy and are healthy fats.
Fish like tuna fish provides protein and omega 3 fatty acids/
Cheese, go on spread it, chunk it or melt it for that ideal protein.
Go whole wheat pasta instead of white for more fiber and protein.
Have some beans which are loaded with protein, fiber and fantastic carbs.
Air popped popcorn makes the great snack choice no way to go wrong here.
Farmers markets are a great choice for fruit and vegetables and kids have fun while learning about healthy foods. Let your child pick out a vegetable for dinner that they want to try. Go ahead let them try all the samples they wish. They can explore, see all the different foods and even ask the local farmers questions. So head out this weekend take that family trip to the market.
In Detroit
2934 Russell Street
Detroit
Northwest Detroit Farmers Market
15000 Southfield Freeway
Detroit
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