An article here out of Georgetown University on the importance of probiotics for fighting infections in kids. Also, applicable for adults.
There are over 2 lbs. of "good bacteria" in our guts. Pasteurization, germophobia, antibiotics and various other things we do to protect ourselves from "bad bacteria" also tend to kill off these good bacteria and make us more susceptible to various infections and disease. This article shows that just one drinkable yogurt per day can reduce infections in kids. Wow!
So, what do you do if your kid doesn't like yogurt?
2 out of 3 of my kids get a Stonyfield yogurt in their lunches every day. Asher gets to supplement with chewable probiotics from the Honest Weight Food CoOp or Paradise Natural Foods. Sometimes, when everyone is feeling finicky, I've been known to break open one of my own capsules and add the white powder to whatever they may be eating a la Jessica Seinfeld.
Not all probiotics are what they appear as is the case with most supplements and there are many to choose from. I tend to stay away from the "shelf stable" variety which are not refrigerated-it just makes sense to me that they should be kept cold to last longer(just like yogurt).
Confusion paralyzes so look up the information yourself, visit a health care practitioner with knowledge of such things or look to the CoOp, Paradise Natural Foods or John at the Center for Natural Wellness. All can guide you through the world of probiotics!
There are over 2 lbs. of "good bacteria" in our guts. Pasteurization, germophobia, antibiotics and various other things we do to protect ourselves from "bad bacteria" also tend to kill off these good bacteria and make us more susceptible to various infections and disease. This article shows that just one drinkable yogurt per day can reduce infections in kids. Wow!
So, what do you do if your kid doesn't like yogurt?
2 out of 3 of my kids get a Stonyfield yogurt in their lunches every day. Asher gets to supplement with chewable probiotics from the Honest Weight Food CoOp or Paradise Natural Foods. Sometimes, when everyone is feeling finicky, I've been known to break open one of my own capsules and add the white powder to whatever they may be eating a la Jessica Seinfeld.
Not all probiotics are what they appear as is the case with most supplements and there are many to choose from. I tend to stay away from the "shelf stable" variety which are not refrigerated-it just makes sense to me that they should be kept cold to last longer(just like yogurt).
Confusion paralyzes so look up the information yourself, visit a health care practitioner with knowledge of such things or look to the CoOp, Paradise Natural Foods or John at the Center for Natural Wellness. All can guide you through the world of probiotics!
Dr. Sarah Westcott
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