Probiotics and Infant Health

Gut microbiota are trillions of microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that have many essential roles, including digestion and absorption of nutrients, protection against pathogens, and metabolic and immunologic programming. In infants and children, early establishment of a healthy gut microbiota (a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria) affects the development and maturation of the immune system, and thus may impact short- and long-term health outcomes. Negative influences on the establishment of a healthy gut microbiota and factors that decrease microbial diversity in infants and young children can have lifelong detrimental health impacts. Children exposed to oral antibiotics in infancy, for example, are more likely to develop atopic disease (e.g., eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis), food allergy, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and early childhood obesity.

Probiotics are suggested to be supportive for infants and young children who have had negative influences on their gut bacteria. Strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are some of the most commonly used probiotics. Two specific strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG®) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12®), have been extensively studied (individually or in combination) in multiple randomized controlled pediatric clinical trials. Below are just a few highlights of many studies:

·  In a study of 109 newborns (age 1-2 months until age 8 months) randomized to BB-12 [10 billion colony-forming units (CFU) daily] or control, BB-12 treatment decreased the risk of experiencing respiratory infections by 31%

·  A study randomized 81 infants (requiring formula before age of 2 months) to a formula containing LGG (10 billion CFU daily) plus BB-12 (10 billion CFU daily) or placebo until the age of 12 months; compared with placebo, LGG plus BB-12 significantly reduced the need for antibiotic treatment by 48% during the first 7 months of life and significantly reduced the incidence of recurrent RTIs by 49% during the first 12 months of life

·  Another study randomized 90 healthy infants (age < 8 months) in a residential care setting to BB-12 (> 100 million CFU daily) or placebo for 20-21 weeks; fewer infants receiving BB-12 experienced acute diarrhea and the mean number of days with diarrhea was significantly lower

·  In another study, 559 children (mean age 1.6 y/o) administered for acute watery diarrhea (57% tested positive for rotavirus) were randomized to oral rehydration solution (ORS) alone, ORS + LGG (20 billion CFU daily), or ORS + LGG (2 trillion CFU daily) for ≥7 days or until diarrhea stopped and the children were rehydrated; compared with the ORS only group, both ORS + LGG groups had significant reduction in the daily frequency of diarrhea from fourth day onward, significantly shorter mean diarrhea duration (by ~2 days), and significantly shorter hospital stay (by ~3.5 days)

Make an appointment today to learn more about probiotics for infants, children, and your entire family. Visit us at Advanced Health Clinic

Healthy Oil Chart

Ever wonder what oil is best to use for what? This is a chart we have been handing out to our clients for years and they have found it to be very helpful. For  additional information for healthy lifestyle options, visit us at Advanced Health Clinic

Oil	Nutrient Content	Best Used For?	Temperature Restrictions
Flax Seed Oil	16% Omega 6 (LA) 57% Omega 3 (ALA)	great for salad dressings, also pour over grain dishes	use only in cold preparations, lower than 20°
Flax Seeds .	16% Omega 6 (LA) 57% Omega 3 (ALA), Also contains lignans which are anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer. Only 2% of the lignans found in flax seeds ends up in flax oil.	Can be used as an egg substitute in baking, (1 tbsp flax seeds ground with 2 tbsp water), grind over foods to enhance nutrient content.	Flax seeds offer excellent benefits, but no more than 6-8 tbsp of seed should be consumed per day. Also, take freshly ground flax seed with five times its volume of fluid.
Sunflower Oil	69% Omega 6 (LA)	Use in salad dressings, sauces and baked goods.	Use for low heat cooking, up to 212°
Sesame Oil	41% Omega 6 (LA)	Good for stir-frys, sauces, and marinades. Also may be used in baking.	Use for medium heat cooking, up to 325°
Extra Virgin Olive Oil	8%Omega 6 (LA)	Great with pasta, salads and in dips.	Use for medium heat cooking, up to 325°
Ghee	No essential fatty acids, very stable, contains anti-viral and anti-cancer properties	Use for sautéing, in sauces and with pasta. Also may be used in baking, and as a butter substitute.	Use for high heat cooking, up to 375°
Coconut Butter	no essentail fatty acids, 89% Saturated Fats, contains anti-viral nutrients	Use for frying and as a butter substitute in baking.	Can use for high heat cooking, up to 375°
Safflower Oil	76% Omega 6 (LA)	Wonderful flavor for salad dressings, sauces and dips.	Use for low heat cooking, up to 212°,_ and baking at 325°

Thyroid Hormones Positively Affected by Selenium and Vitamin E Intake

High levels of stress can negatively affect the synthesis and metabolism of thyroid hormones (T4, T3). This may result in reduced thyroid hormone activity (hypothyroidism) and various health challenges including weight gain, lethargy, reproductive failure, depression, irritability, memory loss, muscle weakness, and more serious long term effects such as congestive heart failure.

In an effort to counteract the negative effects of stress on thyroid hormones, researchers such as Dr. L. Yue and colleagues investigated the ability of vitamin E and selenium to support healthy thyroid function.

By observing the metabolic changes of T4 and T3 in experimental rats, Dr. L. Yue and colleagues sought to determine the relationship between selenium and vitamin E deficiency and thyroid hormone disturbances.

Rats were either fed a selenium and vitamin E supplemented diet or a selenium and vitamin E deficient diet for 8 weeks.

Upon conclusion of the study, the rats that were deficient in selenium and vitamin E demonstrated a 36% decrease in T3 levels and a 32% increase in T4 levels. This in comparison to the selenium and vitamin E-supplemented rats that had "significantly higher" levels of T3, according to Dr. Yue and colleagues in the Chinese Medical Journal.

This study, among others, demonstrates the role of vitamin E and selenium in protecting and ensuring thyroid health, helping to defend against the inevitable stresses of life.

Chin Med J 1998;111(9):854-57.

Advanced Nutrition Publications ©2002