Probiotics are live microorganisms that restores the gut flora. Make friends with probiotics for a healthy gut. These friendly bacteria are also helpful for a good immune system.
What are the two diseases in kids that worries a mom? High fever and diarrhoea. Not to mention, sometimes I worry about the pro-longed running noses and coughs too. If you are someone who likes to keep babies away from anti-biotics then you must be the one who looks for natural alternatives to strong medicines. While we shun all the bacteria and germs from our lives, little do we realize some bacteria are actually good for our immune system. Did you know some of the medicines that paediatricians recommend for diarrhoea contain probiotics, or the good bacteria? Make friends with probiotics for a healthy gut life and a good immune system.
But first, what are probiotics?
Probiotics are living microorganisms, or the good bacteria, that helps to restore the natural balance of gut bacteria. Illness like diarrhoea, digestive issues, allergies, depression and even obesity can lead to an imbalance in the gut bacteria with a rise of the bad bacteria. Probiotics when taken in adequate quantity helps in restoring this imbalance by introducing good bacteria.
Which are the probiotics for a healthy gut?
There are many variants of bacteria that are classified as probiotics and you should read the labels while buying products that contain probiotics.
Lactobacillus – Found in yogurt and fermented foods this probiotic strain helps in controlling diarrhea.
Bifidobacterium – Found in dairy products, it helps if you are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and improving the intestinal micro flora.
How to consume probiotics for a heathy gut and good immune system?
There are several food products available in the market that comes with probiotics. You can directly consume them.
- Yogurt
- Buttermilk
- Fermented Cheese like Gouda, Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan
- Fermented vegetable products like – miso, sauerkraut, pickles
- Infant formula with probiotics
- Health drinks and juices fortified with probiotics
- Chocolate and ice creams
- Nutrition bars
- Dietary Supplements
- Idly and dosa (the fermented batter contains traces of probiotics)
How much of this “good bacteria” is good for you?
A probiotic must contribute at least 1 billion colony forming units (CFU), and a typical dosage is between 1 and 10 billion CFU daily for adults and 6 Billion CFU for kids aged above two.
DuPont Bloggers Meet
DuPont™ Danisco® are pioneers in in-depth knowledge of food and nutrition with years of research and expertise in pharmaceutical, food and beverage and dietary supplement industries. At a recent bloggers meet, I caught some insightful sessions on probiotics by leading experts. Let me share some key takeaways on how to make probiotics a daily routine in your life, from the experts.
Is it safe to give probiotics to new born babies?
Many infant formulae are fortified with probiotics to help in lining of the gut with good bacteria. It is absolutely safe to give probiotics to new born babies.
Is probiotics good only for gut health?
“Gut bacteria microbes is a complex part of gastrointestinal system. It is not the digestive health that reaps benefit from probiotics, they are beneficial for good liver and kidney health”, Dr. Anders Henriksson, Principal Application Specialist, DuPont Nutrition and Health.
He shared a few studies where to was found regular consumption of probiotics in babies also helped in skin allergies like eczema.
Probiotics contribute to healthy digestive system in turn boosting the immune system.
How to choose a probiotic product?
Read the labels of products to check
- Strains listed in ingredients
- Listing of health benefits
- Claims backed by research
- Guarantee of dose at time of consumption
“It is important to check the dates on packages. To be effective, the probiotic should be live when you take it”, said Dr. Priyanka Rohatgi, Chief Clinical Nutritionist and HOD Dept. of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Eating fermented food like idly daily, do you still need probiotics?
Fermented food like idly and dosa contains probiotics and it’s a good practise. But the amount of probiotics is not enough for daily dosage. It’s better you are aware of the dose of probiotics you are adding in your daily routine from different sources.
Any side effects of probiotics?
Probiotics are safe and there’s no such thing called over dosage of probiotics that will lead to health complications. The amount that is required is used up by the body and the excess is flushed out.
DuPont HOWARU Advantage
Efficacious strains of probiotics are not always present in all commercial yogurt of or fermented milk. Probiotics can be taken in the form of health supplements to ensure you are getting the correct dosage. DuPont HOWARU range of premium probiotics are scientifically proven to help keep the digestive system running smoothly and to support the body’s immune system.
Their strains are added in many products worldwide. The series of products consists of
- HOWARU Protect Earlylife,
- HOWARU Protect Kids,
- HOWARU Protect Adult,
- HOWARU Protect Senior and HOWARU Protect Sport,
- HOWARU Shape,
- HOWARU Balance,
- HOWARU Restore, HOWARU Transit or HOWARU Dophilus
– all available as ready-to-market products or in concentrate form.
This was a very insightful session I visited on probiotics. The probiotics scenario in India is pretty new whereas worldwide it is very popular. I happen to give probiotics to my son daily as a routine for a stronger immune system. And now you know too why you should make friends with probiotics for a healthy gut and stronger immune system in your kids and your family.
35 comments
very informative. most of us only relate to probiotics with just curd. this session was an eye-opener.
yes, it was. I am a firm believer of probiotics. Thanks for visiting
I am a big probiotic fan girl. I think it’s a great way to be healthy easily.
Yes. Bluey has been taking probiotics in formula since birth.
Have recently increased my intake of probiotics and feel it has really made a difference on my overall health.
That’s so good to hear Deborah. Thanks for visiting.
We use it regularly and they are really good for infact everybody in the family. Highly recommended.
Yes its a good practise to get the entire family on probiotics as a routine. Thanks for dropping by.
This was a really nice and informative session , learned more about probiotics and how it is helpful to our body
Yes Neha it was quite an informative session.
Never heard of this trmerm “probiotics” in my entire life!! Very informative post.
Hey Nimmy, it is an important way to boost immunity.
Probiotics is such an healthy option to include in our diet.You post will definitely help those who were not aware of it’s benefits yet.
We are a big fan of Yogurt and pickles. Sauerkraut looks tempting and worth a try.
I, was a part of the same and found this to be a very insightful session. It was really good to hear Dr. Henriksson give us an insightful perspective of the science behind it all
I seriously need to include probiotics in my diet. Thanks for such an informative post.
probiotics are really important for day to day health..thanks for such a detailed post.
Probiotics are really important for our gut, and also for good health
Thats a great amount of information and so many queries answered, for anyone to make an informed decision about adding probiotics to their diets.
I have recently added in meal of my family and trust me I feel I would have done this earlier
Great information about probiotics. Its important to include in daily meal to prevent health issues
Probiotics are must for every age of people. I also attended Dupont happened in Delhi and it was an insightful session. Thanks for sharing this details
Each time I come across Probiotics post, there is so much information. Thanks for sharing this detailed post.
I recently opted for some probiotics supplements in my routine. Your write up is quite informative to understand how it helps.
Very informative post for all.Thanks for writing it down beautifully.
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nice one. i think the best time to take is morning empty stomach.
Probiotics are necessary to have a healthy stomach. I have had them and felt good change.
Probiotics are must to maintain healthy gut, glad to know about the products from DuPont HOWARU.
this was a wonderful event and i was surprised at many new facts that we got to learn on that day. have implemented this in my diet
Probiotics are great for good health if it’s the right type. Glad you shared this.
I knew that probiotics are imp for us and we should add this in our diet plan. But I had no idea, which foods we can eat for that. Thanks a lot for sharing the list.
Yet another informative post my dear. Thank you for enlisting the powerful option list.
Probiotics are very important for our body to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The event was a much need to get detailed information on probiotics.
It is such a nice detailed post on the probiotics. I wasn’t aware of all the benefits.
Haven’t tried fermented vegetable products other than carrot, olive and cucumber pickles. Thanks for the information.