Creating a Healthy Gut for Children: Prebiotics and Probiotics

We have come a long way in understanding how our dietary and lifestyle choices affect our health down to the gut. Microbiome refers to the thousands of species of bacteria that live in and on us, many offering protection to our health.  

Studies have shown that when there is a good balance of beneficial bacteria that live in our gut, or “healthy microbiome,” health measures improves in many aspects, but not limited to:

• decrease inflammation
• enhanced gut lining that protects toxins from permeating through deeper layers
• improved digestion and gut health-less symptoms of irritable bowel and colitis
• better weight management
• strengthened immunity
• improved alertness and sensory/processing
• decreased prevalence of depression and anxiety
• reduced symptoms of ADHD
• decreased symptoms in individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions

What are Prebiotics and Probiotics?

The terms “prebiotics” and “probiotics” are often used interchangeably but they are not quite the same. Prebiotics are high in fiber-rich plant foods. They are the indigestible parts of plants that move through our intestines and are ultimately consumed by beneficial bacteria in our gut. In essence, prebiotics are food and support good gut bacteria. These good bacteria are called PRObiotics because they promote good gut health. Today’s health market is saturated with new probiotic products offering a variety of species of bacteria that seem to be beneficial to human digestion. Probiotics can also come from fermented foods, cultured yogurt and kombucha.  

At Little Roots, we believe in treating the root of our health problems – which often involves taking a deep dive into what we eat and in what environment we nourish our bodies. By taking a full assessment of your child’s nutrition we can better understand areas where we can improve, and help you create a roadmap to a healthy gut.