Chris Tunks
Brand Manager, Optibac
Milo Pankros
Scientific Trainer, Optibac
Safe, well-researched supplements containing ‘friendly’ bacteria can be a simple and effective way to support children’s gut and immune health.
“Every part of our body has a microbiome — a community of microorganisms or microbes that influences our whole body, not just the gut,” explains Milo Pankros, Scientific Trainer at friendly bacteria supplement brand, Optibac.
“The microbiome in our gut is the most densely populated of them all, and like any ecosystem, harmony is key, so we should look after it,” he says. Researchers have linked the microbes in our guts to immune and digestive function, energy, skin health and more.
Gut health is particularly important for babies and children, whose microbiome is still developing. Unfortunately, up to 70% of children globally receive an antibiotic in the first few years of life, which can significantly alter their microbiome development.
In addition to a healthy, varied diet, parents can introduce live culture supplements into children’s daily routine, especially during antibiotics, to add specialist-friendly bacteria to the microbiome and increase beneficial gut bacteria.
Safe, well-researched supplements for children
Friendly bacteria supplements can be useful because it’s not always easy to get children to eat high-fibre foods, such as vegetables and whole grains, that naturally feed a good microbiome. Plus, the right supplements can often have easier ‘delivery systems’ than regular food products. “Choose a high-quality friendly bacteria supplement, which has been shown to reach the gut alive,” says Pankros.
Chris Tunks, Brand Manager at Optibac, notes that “parents should look for safe supplements, designed specifically for children and include highly researched strains for individual needs.”
“It should be made easy for parents to introduce supplements into their children’s diet,” he says. “For instance, our children’s range includes a flavourless liquid with an easy-to-use dropper, flavourless powders that can be mixed in water or sprinkled on non-acidic foods and tasty gummies made with natural ingredients suitable for children aged three and over. It’s about supporting parents and making it easier for them to be more proactive, rather than reactive, in terms of their children’s gut health.”
