Returning to the classroom or daycare involves the resumption of an academic, food, sleep routine and presents its share of butterflies … and of bacteria in the belly! Contacts between pupils at school and children at the daycare service as well as the germs in these environments can seriously test the immune system of our young ones. Starting probiotic supplementation about a week before going back to school and kindergarten is a wise idea, to prepare the bacterial flora of your little geniuses and give a boost to their immune system to prevent unwanted infections. You can never be too prepared, it seems!
Digestive peace on the agenda
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria have a well established reputation. Anti-diarrhea properties have been attributed to them, they are also celebrated for their effectiveness in the prevention of eczema in young people. Knowing this, probiotics like Probaclac Children are an interesting route to explore for the back to school period1. The Canadian pediatric society claims probiotics could help reduce childhood respiratory illnesses, antibiotic use and absences from child care due to illness1.
Concentration for the curriculum
In addition to offering this “natural” remedy for diarrhea, probiotics also appear to be useful in reducing psychological stress during anxiety-provoking situations (the month of September for young people very well may be)2. The bacterial strain Bifidobacterium longum, in particular, provides benefits in case of stress and cognitive performance, at least in tests performed on mice3. There is even reason to believe that probiotics influence memory, mood and cognitive processes of any kind4. Who doesn’t want to give our little scientists every possible chance of success?
Flash Quiz to see who the Experts are!
True or False? It is not necessary to take probiotic supplements when the daily yogurt intake is sufficient.
False. It takes at least 2 billion bacteria per day to have the same preventive effect as probiotic supplements (which would correspond to A LOT of yogurt).
True or False? There is a direct connection between the brain and the intestines, which means that one affects the other and they can not be considered individually.
True. Changes in the intestinal flora are associated with changes in behavior, and vice versa. We then speak of the two brains.
REFERENCES
1 Société canadienne de pédiatrie [Document de principes]. L’utilisation de probiotiques au sein de la population pédiatrique. 28 février 2015.
2 Kali A. Psychobiotics: An emerging probiotic in psychiatric practice. Biomed J. 2016 Jun; 39(3): 223-4.
3 Savignac HM, Kiely B et al. Bifidobacteria exert strain-specific effects on stress-related behavior and physiology in BALB/c mice. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2014 Nov; 26(11): 1615-27.
4 Galland L. The gut microbiome and the brain. J Med Food. 2014 Dec; 17(12): 1261-72.
5 Borre YE, Moloney RD, Clarke G et al. The impact of microbiota on brain and behavior: mechanisms & therapeutic potential. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2014; 817: 373-403.