Probiotic Archives

How probiotics are helping babies born via C-Section

So, you’re a mom with a newborn baby and you are doing all you can to keep the little one healthy and happy.

You’re swamped with so many important things like sleep, feeding times and reading up on everything to avoid allergies, jaundice and infection. It can add up to information overload, so any new knowledge — like the way mothers pass beneficial bacteria to babies during birth — can be overwhelming.

This last of a two-part series will help moms get up to speed on the value of protecting their babies’ gut health by giving them probiotics every day, particularly if you have had a caesarean (C-section) or other health issues during your pregnancies.

Protecting your baby’s immune health after a C-section

For moms, making the decision to deliver your newborn baby via C-section is a tough one. Often, that choice is already made for you due to biological obstacles that make a vaginal birth dangerous.

For some women, however, it doesn’t lessen the stigma of a C-section birth, even when it’s necessary. There’s no need to feel any way but good when you make the best delivery choices for your health and your baby’s health.

Unfortunately, C-section babies face a very real problem right after they’re born, based on a recent Swedish study that compared the health of 24 babies delivered vaginally and by C-section.

Scientists analyzed fecal samples from all two dozen babies taken a week after birth then five additional times, and took blood samples at 6, 12 and 24 months to check levels of immune system chemicals (Th1 and Th2) that may play a role in future allergy problems.

C-section babies had less gut diversity — a lower range of good gut bacteria — during the first two years of their lives (specifically the Bacteroides phylum that allows the immune system to respond to the right triggers) compared to babies born vaginally. Also, C-section babies had unbalanced levels of Th1 in their blood, making them more vulnerable to developing allergies.

(A 2010 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found infants who were born via C-section had a gut microbiome resembling the mother’s skin, less rich in bacteria.)

Swedish researchers discussed further investigations into treatments that would normalize the development of the microbiota of C-section babies, including fecal transplants and giving them a daily probiotic.

Preventing eczema with probiotics

The benefits of giving your babies probiotics don’t stop with providing them good gut health and naturally boosting their developing immune systems.

Atopic dermatitis, better known as eczema, is an uncomfortable skin rash many babies have that first appears on the cheeks and scalp, and may later spread to their chest, arms, legs and other parts of their little bodies.

Although science hasn’t found what triggers eczema, environmental irritants and allergens may initiate this scaly problem. Also, if you or your family members have suffered from allergies, asthma or eczema, your baby has a better chance of suffering from it, too.

A 2013 study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy found giving moms probiotic supplements of a strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (one of the 10 strains contained in EndoMune Advanced Probiotic) during pregnancies, then afterward to the babies for two years reduced the incidence of eczema sharply.

New Zealand researchers compared the effects of different bacterial strains on Moms and their new babies until they reached age 6 to determine which one had the best probiotic punch.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus supplements given to moms then their babies up to age 2 reduced the incidence of eczema in children by an amazing 44 percent until age 6.

Conventional medicine remains skeptical

Researchers found that giving probiotic drops to infants produced worse results than giving them a placebo. However, those results fly in the face of others, including a March study in JAMA Pediatrics, that quantified the benefits of giving babies probiotics as a savings of $119.

The appeal for new moms giving their babies probiotics certainly outstrips any conflicting issues. The amount of pages found on Google with the search term probiotics for baby is far bigger (6.9 million) than probiotics by itself (4.6 million).

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Treat colic safely, inexpensively with probiotics

Children’s Health, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

Watching your young infant struggle with colic after feeding is among the most upsetting experiences you’ll face during the early months of his or her life. Fortunately, the prolonged crying and discomfort your baby experiences due to colic or other digestive ailments will be brief, particularly if you follow our recent list of 10 ways to calm your baby naturally and safely.

One of the easiest and safest ways to treat colic, and help your baby develop good gut health that boosts immunity, is taking a multi-species probiotic containing 5 to 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) per day.

A recent Italian study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, concluded giving healthy babies a daily dose of probiotics shortly after they’re born may lessen episodes of prolonged crying as well as the development of common gastrointestinal problems, including acid reflux and constipation.

Italian researchers assigned some 550 infants born at full term to receive either daily drops of a probiotic mixed with oil or a placebo (an oil mixture) for three months. Parents of those infants also kept diaries detailing any problems (inconsolable crying, bowel movements and vomiting) along with the number of visits made to their pediatrician.

The babies who received probiotics were obvious to spot by the end of the 90-day study.

The time babies treated with probiotics experienced prolonged crying was 38 minutes, or almost half the time (71 minutes) of the placebo group.
The probiotic group had more bowel movements (4.2) compared to those receiving a placebo (3.6).
The placebo group experienced more daily problems with regurgitations (4.6) than the probiotic group (2.9).

Interestingly, Italian scientists were also able to quantify the monetary benefits of giving babies a probiotic. Families saved $119 for each child given a probiotic.

“Driving a change of colonization during the first weeks of life through giving lactobacilli may promote an improvement in intestinal permeability,” according to the Italian researchers. “Visceral sensitivity and mast cell density and probiotic administration may represent a new strategy for preventing these conditions, at least in predisposed children.”

These results mirror similar findings in a 2007 study that concluded babies treated with a multi-species probiotic like EndoMune Advanced Junior cried about two-thirds less than those given the gas-reducing drug simethicone.

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Probiotics and Flu Season

Children’s Health, Disease / By @drHoberman

The temperature is dipping and you all know what that means – cold and flu season is upon us. No one wants to end up stuck in bed for a week with uncomfortable, draining flu symptoms. Happily, there are a few basic things you can do to prevent the onset of the flu:

Get the flu vaccine
Wash your hands religiously
Avoid crowds
Do not sneeze or cough into your hands
Drink lots of fluid
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
Exercise regularly
Get at least 7 hours of sleep, per night

These recommendations are the typical prescription for prevention from most practiced care providers. However, there’s one more key step that could make the difference for you this flu season: taking a probiotic.

The Proof Is in the Research

Published health studies such as Probiotics Effects on Cold and Influenza-like Symptom Incidence and Duration in Children¹ from the medical journal Pediatrics, demonstrate the validity of probiotics as a preventative health supplement.

For example, this particular study divided healthy children, ages 3-5, into three separate groups:

Those receiving a placebo (104 participants)
Those receiving a probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (110 participants)
Those receiving a probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus & Bifidobacterium lactis (112 participants)

For the purposes of the study, each child received their supplement daily, for 6 months, under close cold and flu symptom scrutiny.

At the end of the study researches found that, when compared to the placebo groups, the other two participant groups had reduced flu-like symptoms, antibiotic use and days missed from school – a huge relief to parents and physicians alike.

What The Research Means for You

Studies in adults², similar to the Pediatrics study, have been performed and the results indicate similar findings, particularly in cases of upper respiratory infections.

Scientific outcomes infer that this occurs because oral probiotic supplements can stimulate the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract. Once this occurs, the GI tract typically begins producing more immune cells. Those cells can then stop cold and flu inflammation before it becomes severe and attack viruses as they invade the lining of the respiratory tract^3,4,5,6. Thus, the body eradicates viruses before they settle.

Take Home Message

Results like these highlight the importance of taking a daily, oral probiotic supplement during flu season – particularly one containing the potent bacteria strain combination of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in a serving size of 10 billion colonies or more.

Try a probiotic, like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic or EndoMune Junior Advanced Probiotic for your little ones, that meets these standards to help counter disastrous flu symptoms this autumn and winter.

¹Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children.Leyer GJ, Li S, Mubasher ME, Reifer C, Ouwehand AC; Pediatrics. 2009 Aug;124(2):e172-9. Epub 2009 Jul 27

²Probiotics for the prevention of respiratory tract infections: a systematic review.Vouloumanou EK, Makris GC, Karageorgopoulos DE, Falagas ME; Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2009 Sep;34(3):197.e1-10. Epub 2009 Jan 28.
Probiotics in intestinal and non-intestinal infectious diseases–clinical evidence.
Hatakka K, Saxelin M; Curr Pharm Des. 2008;14(14):1351-67. Review.

³Probiotic bacteria reduced duration and severity but not the incidence of common cold episodes in a double blind, randomized, controlled trial.de Vrese M, Winkler P, Rautenberg P, Harder T, Noah C, Laue C, Ott S, Hampe J, Schreiber S, Heller K, Schrezenmeir J; Vaccine. 2006 Nov 10;24(44-46):6670-4. Epub 2006 Jun 6.

⁴Probiotics in intestinal and non-intestinal infectious diseases–clinical evidence. Hatakka K, Saxelin M; Curr Pharm Des. 2008;14(14):1351-67. Review.

⁵Molecular and cellular basis of microflora-host interactions.Winkler P, Ghadimi D, Schrezenmeir J, Kraehenbuhl JP; J Nutr. 2007 Mar;137(3 Suppl 2):756S-72S. Review.

⁶Probiotic and prebiotic influence beyond the intestinal tract. Lenoir-Wijnkoop I, Sanders ME, Cabana MD, Caglar E, Corthier G, Rayes N, Sherman PM, Timmerman HM, Vaneechoutte M, Van Loo J, Wolvers DA; Nutr Rev. 2007 Nov;65(11):469-89. Review

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Probiotics: Naturally Good

Disease, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

Probiotics are bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of the intestines’ microflora. The largest group of piobiotic bacterica, Lactobacillus acidophilus, is found in naturally in the intestines — as are many good gut bacteria used in probiotic suppliments.

Studies support the theory that probiotic supplements are not likely to harm the user. Rather, research suggests that probiotics can benefit the user by helping to create a balance digestive system and relieve the stomach pain or abdominal discomfort caused by diarrhea, gas, and cramping. They may also help to prevent the onset of vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections.

Although not a medical guarantee, probiotics have been seen to deliver a number of health benefits to those who take them. Read the full article here for more information, and consider trying a probiotics like EndoMune Advanced to see if probiotics could be right for you.

Probiotics: Naturally Good Read More »

Antibiotics Assist with Ear Infections

Children’s Health, Drug interactions, Women’s Health / By @drHoberman

The debate over whether or not to prescribe antibiotics to treat infections continues. This time, research evidence has been presented supporting antibiotics for the treatment of ear infections in children.

Recent research from the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Turku in Finland both found positive results for children that had been prescribed Augmentin, versus children treated with a placebo.

As allergy season continues to heat up, the temptation to prescribe antibiotics will grow as well. What’s important to remember, though, is that antibiotics do not discriminate with regard to bacteria. Yes, the bacteria causing the infection are attacked, but so are the good bacteria that keep your lower intestines in check. This is often why many people who take antibiotics experience gastrointestinal ailments such as diarrhea.

If you are taking an antibiotic, it is advisable to take also take a probiotic. This will help to replenish the good bacteria that are being attacked by the antibiotic. In essence, you are helping to protect yourself against the unwanted digestive side effects that are often accompanied by antibiotics.

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How Can Probiotics Keep Children Healthy?

Children’s Health, Mental Health, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

During the holiday season, I thought I would dedicate this newsletter to discussing how probiotics can help keep children healthy. This discussion will review two articles that have been published in the last month about the benefits of probiotics for children.

Probiotics and Acute Infectious Diarrhea

The first study was to determine whether probiotics have clinical benefit for children with acute infectious diarrhea ⁽¹⁾.

Study design:
The study involved 304 children, ages 3 months to 6 years who were hospitalized for acute diarrhea. All the children received rehydration therapy via intravenous fluids and oral rice or half strength formula as age appropriate. The children were randomized to receive a probiotic preparation or a placebo. The benefit of the treatment was assessed in terms of recovery time to the first normal stool. Other clinical symptoms evaluated included fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and appetite.

Results:
The average duration of diarrhea after start of therapy was reduced from 86.3 hours in the placebo group to 60.1 hours in the probiotic group. There was also lessening of abdominal pain, fever and overall length of hospital stay.

Discussion:
To understand how probiotics benefited these children, the immunologic effects of probiotics were evaluated. The study reveals the immune cells of the intestine reacted in two ways; 1) by increasing production of molecules that decrease inflammation and 2) by increasing the quantity of protective intestinal bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacillus).

While other studies have shown that probiotics can lessen infectious diarrhea in children, this is the first study that has simultaneously evaluated the clinical, immunologic, and microbiologic effects of probiotics.

Probiotics and Chronic Abdominal Pain (CAP)

The second article deals with the occurrence of chronic abdominal pain (CAP) in children. CAP accounts for approximately 25% of pediatric gastroenterology office visits.

This study’s purpose was to determine if excess build up of intestinal bacteria in the small intestine could be a common cause of the CAP symptoms ⁽²⁾. This condition is called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and is referred to as “SIBO”. Sometimes, the bacteria in the small intestines can increase and disrupt the normal digestive process. When this occurs, diarrhea, excess gas, and abdominal pain can occur.

Study Design:
This study evaluated children ages 8 to 18. Of those involved in the study, 40 were healthy and 75 had chronic abdominal. Using a breath hydrogen test, it was possible to determine if there was abnormal buildup of small bowel bacteria.

Results:
The study found 91% of children with CAP had abnormal breath hydrogen indicating excess small intestinal bacteria, or SIBO. The control group had a 35% positive breath test.

Discussion:
This study found an objective measure to explain chronic abdominal pain in these children. Often, psychological explanations are proposed to explain the ongoing symptoms, and the correct diagnosis is missed.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on the frequency of abnormal breath hydrogen test in children with CAP.

If the breath test is abnormal, then the current recommended therapy is to use antibiotics to decrease the bacterial count in the small bowel ⁽³⁾. Studies have shown up to a 75% improvement in symptoms after a course of antibiotics. Sometimes there is a relapse and further courses of antibiotics are required ⁽⁴⁾.

Another approach to treat SIBO is to give probiotics. A recent study using a probiotic in patients with SIBO found a 47% decrease or normalization of the breath hydrogen test ⁽⁵⁾. The authors concluded that, “probiotics are a promising, easily handled and well-tolerated treatment option for SIBO”. In addition, since SIBO has a high recurrence rate, the availability of a treatment alternative to antibiotics could reduce both the risk of antibiotic resistance and the incidence of side effects.

Take Home Message

Current medical research continues to gain a better understanding of how the intestinal bacteria affect the function and health of our intestines. The results of these studies certainly further our knowledge about how probiotics can improve gastrointestinal disorders in children. Consider discussing with your child’s doctor taking a good probiotic, like EndoMune, if your child is having a problem with infectious diarrhea or chronic abdominal pain.

Best wishes for a very healthy happy holiday season and New Year!!

Eat healthy and live well!
Lawrence J Hoberman MD

(1) Probiotics Have Clinical, Microbiologic, and Immunologic Efficacy in Acute Infectious Diarrhea Chen, Chien-Chang; Kong, Man-Shan; Lai, Ming-Wei; Chao, Hsun-Chin; Chang, Kuei-Wen; Chen, Shih-Yen; Huang, Yhu-Chering; Chiu, Cheng-Hsun; Li, Wen-Chen; Lin, Pen-Yi; Chen, Chih-Jung; Lin, Tzou-YienThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.2010 Feb;29(2)

(2) Chronic Abdominal Pain in Children Is Associated with High Prevalence of Abnormal Microbial Fermentation.Collins BS, Lin HC.Dig Dis Sci. 2009 Nov 4.

(3) Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: diagnosis and treatment.Gasbarrini A, Lauritano EC, Gabrielli M, Scarpellini E, Lupascu A, Ojetti V, Gasbarrini G.Dig Dis. 2007;25(3):237-40.

(4) Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth recurrence after antibiotic therapy. Lauritano EC, Gabrielli M, Scarpellini E, Lupascu A, Novi M, Sottili S, Vitale G, Cesario V, Serricchio M, Cammarota G, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Aug;103(8):2031-5.

(5) Bacillus clausii as a treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Gabrielli M, Lauritano EC, Scarpellini E, Lupascu A, Ojetti V, Gasbarrini G, Silveri NG, Gasbarrini A.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 May;104(5):1327-8. Epub 2009 Apr 7.

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