The Importance of Maintaining Probiotics for Children's Digestion

Have you ever heard of prebiotics and probiotics? It turns out that both are microorganisms and substances that are important for maintaining the digestive health of children. Probiotics are good bacteria that are naturally present in the digestive system. This bacterium has even existed since we were born. No need to worry, these natural bacteria do not cause disease at all. Precisely if consumed in a certain amount will be beneficial for digestion. Probiotics work by regulating the balance of flora in the intestine or digestive tract.

Probiotic bacteria are very important for children because they help them to be healthy. He also explained how children get natural probiotics. Children get probiotics for the first time through breast milk. The content of bacteria stored in breast milk is very important for the health and growth of children. In the body, probiotics function to produce substances that protect the body from bad bacteria that can cause disease. In addition, probiotics also function to reduce toxins in the body, prevent germs from the respiratory tract into the digestive tract and increase endurance.

Prebiotics Support Probiotics

Prebiotics function to provide food for probiotics. Although probiotics grow naturally in the body, still need support to increase the amount so as to protect the child's body. basically, prebiotics is carbohydrates with shorter molecules and contain fructose. Prebiotics are fibers that cannot be digested by the body so they will go directly into the stomach and become food for probiotics.

Prebiotics can be obtained by eating foods such as asparagus, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, kale, radishes, mustard greens, peanuts, seeds, and wheat. In addition, you will also find some packaged foods that contain artificial prebiotics such as fermented milk. According to Paul, children should consume this type of food after eating so that the stomach is protected by food.

In addition to supporting the growth of good bacteria, prebiotics also functions to increase endurance, reduce the risk of diarrhea and prevent constipation. They also help the absorption of calcium and magnesium which are important for the growth of children.

Probiotics are needed by children, especially infants and toddlers to maintain gastrointestinal health

Infants and toddlers are susceptible to digestive tract disorders, one of which is diarrhea. Diarrhea causes dehydration which is the main trigger of death in infants and toddlers. Generally, the cause of diarrhea in infants is due to rotavirus infection, infection of bacteria from dirty objects, allergies, improperly processed formula milk, food poisoning, flu or consumption of antibiotics.

It is important for children to prevent diarrhea by maintaining the health of the gastrointestinal tract. One of them is by taking probiotic supplements. Probiotics are good bacteria that can live in the digestive tract and provide significant health benefits.

The World Health Organization recommends consuming human probiotics, can survive in the gastrointestinal tract, are resistant to gastric acid and bile, produce antimicrobial agents, can fight pathogenic bacteria and have good research documentation.

Getting to know Probiotics and Their Benefits for Body Health

Probiotics are microorganisms that live in the digestive system of the human body. In the intestine, probiotics are responsible for ensuring that the food is properly digested by the body. In the right amount, probiotics also help maintain the balance of bacterial levels in the intestine, so that the digestive organs are always healthy and avoid infection by viruses, bacteria, parasites, inflammation of the digestive tract, and the negative effects of consuming antibiotics.

Types of Probiotics

There are a number of bacteria that belong to the class of probiotics. However, experts divide it into two types, namely:

• Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus type probiotics are good bacteria that are most commonly found in probiotic products in the form of food, beverages, or supplements. This type of probiotics can prevent diarrhea and help reduce lactose intolerance.

• Bifidobacterium

Bifidobacterium is found in many milk-based food products, such as yogurt. The benefits of this type of probiotics are to help relieve symptoms that arise due to digestive system disorders.

Source of Probiotics

Naturally, probiotics already exist in the human body. However, over time, the population may be reduced due to consumption of antibiotics, unhealthy eating patterns, and also stress. Therefore, everyone, including children, needs to consume the intake of probiotic sources, so that the number of good bacteria is maintained in his body.

The following are some sources of safe probiotic sources for children:

Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the processed foods that contain probiotics. Intake from fermented milk can help increase the population of good bacteria in the intestine. Yogurt is safe for consumption by children aged one year and above. So, no need to hesitate to give this intake for him.

Cheese

Probiotics are good for the health of the digestive system. However, in its development, not all probiotics can survive into the intestine. The good news is that the probiotics found in soft-textured cheese are relatively strong and can remain intact until they enter the digestive system. So, you can choose this savory as one of the intakes to keep the population of probiotics in the child's digestive system.

Sourdough bread

If your child is one year old and above, you may start introducing it to denser textured foods, including sourdough bread (bread made using natural yeast fermentation, without the addition of instant yeast). Besides being a good source of carbohydrates for children, this bread can also provide optimal probiotic benefits for it.

Tempe

On the official WebMD health website, this authentic Indonesian food has been called a probiotic-rich food. Tempe is made from soybeans which are fermented so that they contain a type of natural antibiotic that can fight bacteria. In addition, tempeh is also rich in protein. You can process it into a healthy food menu that your child likes.

Supplements

Not only found in food, probiotics also come in capsules, tablets, powders or liquids that are packaged into supplements. Indeed probiotics from the source of this supplement provide nutrients that are not the same amount as can be obtained from food. However, the advantages are easier to consume. Currently, probiotic supplements with a safe composition for children are also available at the pharmacy. However, before deciding to give your child probiotics through supplements, you better discuss with your doctor first. This way, your child can avoid the risk of possible side effects.

How to Maintain Probiotic Levels in the Body

As a living microorganism that maintains a child's digestive health, probiotics also need nutrients. This nutrient is known as the Prebiotic. Therefore, eating Prebiotic foods is equally important. Naturally, Prebiotics are contained in some natural intake, such as breast milk, bananas, oatmeal, red wine, honey, maple syrup and also vegetables like peas. For information, your child needs a Prebiotic intake of around 3 to 8 grams per day. Try to achieve this amount, so that the benefits of probiotics for children are more optimal.

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