Sick and tired of being, well...sick and tired? Your child has a cold every month and it is a vicious cycle because it keeps going around the house. All I can say is finally, research has now proved probiotics to be beneficial to kids. After watching this air on ABC 7 News Chicago, I am hoping parents will be more open about discussing the benefits of probiotics to their diets. My peditrician is on board and has been since day one.
According to the Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics, when given preventively over the winter months, probiotics reduce fever, cough, and runny noses in children.
"Daily probiotic dietary supplementation during the winter months was a safe, effective way to reduce episodes of fever, rhinorrhea, and cough, the cumulative duration of those symptoms, the incidence of antibiotic prescriptions, and the number of missed school days attributable to illness," the researchers said.
What parents do not realize, being sick more than three times in one year is a sign of a weakened immunity. Anywhere from 70-80% of our immunity lies in our "gut" meaning our small and large intestines. Probiotics are not harmful and will not cause an allergic reaction unless there is a severe milk or dairy allergy since this is how most probiotics are cultivated. Some are cultivated in soy as well, just have to do your research.
With cold and flu season upon us and the swine flu still lingering around, it will not hurt our bodies to invest and take a daily probiotic. Infant formula companies are jumping on this bandwagon, however it is still cheaper to purchase your own and add them to the infant's formula or pumped breast milk.
Why wait until you get sick to start taking probiotics? Start now, rebuild your immunity and get ahead of the cold and flu season that starts in October. After all, we can get sick anytime of the year.
For more info read:
Medical News Today: Preventative probiotics cut cold symptoms in kids
Considering probiotics? Consider the whole family
Vaccine for ear infection soon to be on the market
Comments
Great Article, Jasmine! I'm going to read the "Considering Probiotics" article now!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!