Introduction
Probiotics are living bacteria and yeasts that provide health benefits when ingested in large amounts.
They can be taken as supplements or naturally through fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha.
The health advantages of probiotic supplements and foods have been well reported, including a lower risk of infections, improved digestion, and lowered risk for some chronic diseases.
While there are many health advantages linked to taking the best probiotics for kids in USA, there can also be side effects. Most of these are insignificant and only affect a small percentage of the population.
Probiotics are living microorganisms that supply health benefits when ingested in large quantities. They can be taken as supplements and occur naturally in fermented foods.
Probiotics are safe for most of the population, but side effects can happen. The most common side effects are a temporary boost in gas, bloating, constipation, and thirst.
Some people can also react poorly to components used in probiotic supplements or to innately occurring amines in probiotic foods. If this occurs, stop utilizing probiotics.
In rare cases, people with compromised immune systems, prolonged hospitalizations, or recent surgeries may acquire an infection from probiotic bacteria. People with these disorders should consider all the factors before consuming probiotics.
Our pick of the 5 best probiotic supplements for kids of 2024 in USA
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Let's take a deep dive into these 5 best Probiotics for Kids in USA
Best Overall Probiotics for Kids in USA
i-Health, Inc.
A+
Zotezo review
The Culturelle Kids Daily Probiotic Supplement is a pediatrician recommended product that supports digestive and immune health in children aged 3 and above. The convenient single packets make it easy to use, although it may be considered pricey and cannot be used in hot or warm foods.
Product details
Benefits of Culturelle Kids Probiotic –...
Drawbacks
A+
Zotezo review
The Renew Life Kids Chewable Probiotic Tablets are a flavorful and effective option for supporting children’s digestive and immune health, with the added benefit of being dairy, soy, and gluten-free. However, the product may be challenging to find in stores and may not cater to all dietary restrictions.
Product details
Benefits of Renew Life Kids Probiotic Chewab...
Weaknesses
Garden of Life
A+
Zotezo review
The Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Organic Kids+ Plus Vitamin C & D is a doctor-formulated immune support supplement for children, featuring 5 billion CFU, 14 probiotic strains, prebiotics, and Whole Food vitamins C and D in a delicious berry cherry flavor. While effective for many children and loved for its taste, some users have reported varying levels of effectiveness, and the price point may be a concern for some customers.
Product details
Benefits of Garden of Life Kids+ Probiotics ...
Disadvantages
MaryRuth Organics
A
Zotezo review
The MaryRuth Organics Kids Probiotics offer a convenient 2-month supply of USDA Organic, vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free probiotic gummies that support immune and gut health in kids. While the product has numerous pros, including its organic and vegan qualities, some families may find it pricey, and there may be issues with the gummies sticking together in the container.
Product details
Benefits of MaryRuth Organics Kids Probiotic...
Negatives
B+
Zotezo review
Physician’s CHOICE Probiotics for Kids offers a potent blend of 7 diverse strains, organic prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals, including clinically studied L. Rhamnosus GG. It is a sugar-free and artificial dye-free option that provides immune and digestive support, though some children may find the taste challenging, which could lead to resistance to regular consumption.
Product details
Benefits of Physician’s CHOICE Kids Pr...
Cons
Tips for choosing the right probiotic supplements for kids for you
Quality
The FDA regulates a few probiotics, but not all. Ensure that the probiotic is quality checked by a reputable third-party organization or the FDA.
Next, check out the ingredients list. It should list what kind of microorganisms are present in the probiotic.
Another thing to check for on the ingredients list is whether it contains any fillers, sugars, or allergy-friendly.
Many of the best probiotics for kids in USA are gluten-free, wheat-free, milk-free, peanut-free, soy-free, and egg-free, while others are not.
Choose a probiotic that, if sweetened at all, utilizes a naturally tooth-friendly sweetener like xylitol. Also, see the expiration.
Any expired thing means the organisms may no longer be alive. Many organizations will guarantee the viability of the microorganisms until the expiration date is printed on the packaging.
Consider your child’s age
Your child’s age will impact the number of colonies forming units of the beneficial bacteria.
An infant’s gut microbiome is very weak and lacks diversity compared to adults. It is estimated that young babies have approximately ten different species, whereas adults have over 1000 species.
A baby’s microbiome born vaginally is mainly made of Bifidobacterium species versus an adult’s microbiome, which is dominated by Lactobacillus species.
After 2, the child’s gut microbiome composition is similar to an adult’s and is much more stable.
As a result, you’ll want a probiotic supplement with a higher dosage of beneficial bacteria in children over 2. And, you won’t need to be limited to just kids’ specific products and brands.
You may also want to assess your gut health if you’re breastfeeding, as bacteria will be transferred from the intestines to your baby’s body through your breastmilk.
Strains
When choosing the best probiotic supplements for kids in USA for your child, the amount of each strain is essential. You’ll see numbers detailed on the probiotic supplement as colony-forming units (CFUs).
Most studies suggest the minimum quantity of bacteria required to generate therapeutic effects is 109. So it would be best if you thought billions when choosing a supplement.
Some of the gummies and chewable probiotics made for kids or packaged probiotic foodstuffs like bars you’ll find in the supermarket don’t have a high sufficiently dosage to gain any health benefits.
The dosage should be 5-10 billion CFU for infants per day. For children over the age of 2, the preferred dosage should be 10-25 billion CFU per day.
Your child may need more of a specific strain for chronic health matters to gain health benefits.
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Benefits of using probiotic supplements for kids
It benefits babies even before they are born
Earlier this year, a study found that probiotics can lower the risk of pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and premature birth, mainly when consumed in the first and third trimesters.
When pregnant women get probiotic-rich milk late in pregnancy, it lowers their preeclampsia risk by 20%.
Taking probiotics early in pregnancy decreased the preterm delivery risk by 11 to 27%. Talk about providing your baby a healthy start. Reduces your baby’s risk of developing eczema and allergies
A New Zealand research team recently found that eating yoghurt daily by age one reduced eczema and allergies in babies by up to 70%.
While the AAP suggests waiting to introduce cow’s milk to a baby’s diet until age one, other milk-based products like cheese and yoghurt are safe.
And a new study discovered that serving yoghurt regularly helps check allergies better.
It helps reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections
A 2016 study found that the best probiotics for kids in USA outperformed placebos in reducing the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and the number of days absent from daycare or school.
And considering RTIs are one of the most common health issues encountered by children worldwide, they can help us all breathe a little easier.
Provides relief to babies with colic
The American Academy of Pediatrics gave a study that found that the probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri was more effective than a placebo at curing colic in babies.
The “probiotic group was nearly twice as likely as the placebo group to experience treatment success” at the testing time points.
The babies fed probiotics cried relatively less than their placebo counterparts. Some studies have even found that probiotics appear naturally in breast milk to protect babies from inflammation and infection.
Helps ease diarrhea
Infants and children given probiotic foods while suffering from acute viral gastroenteritis encountered a shorter duration of symptoms by about one day.
Additionally, an American Family Physician review discovered that they could help treat inflammatory bowel disease. The effects can be similar for adults, so feel free to steal a few spoonfuls if your belly is bothering you.
Side-effects of using Probiotics for Kids
Probiotics are safe for most of the population, but side effects can occur. The most common side effects are a temporary increase in gas, bloating, constipation and thirst. Some people can also react poorly to ingredients used in probiotic supplements or to naturally occurring amines in probiotic foods.
Recommended Dosage of Probiotics for Kids
Daily intake of oral probiotic preparations is commonly recommended, but some trials have used twice-weekly dosing. Preparation strength is usually measured as million/billion colony-forming units (CFUs) per capsule.
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Frequently asked questions on probiotic supplements for kids
1. Do probiotic gummies work?
2. Who should not take probiotics?
3. Should you take probiotics every day?
4. Do doctors recommend probiotics?
5. Should you take probiotics in the morning or at night?
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Conclusion
The main job of probiotics, or good bacteria, is to maintain a healthy balance in your body. Choose the best probiotics for kids in USA from our list to provide your kids with the best health benefits.
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Stacy has been a registered dietitian since 2010, She is currently working as an author, and clinical dietitian at Zotezo. She has experience in various fields of nutrition including research, fitness, medical weight loss, long-term care, rehab, and bariatrics. She has also been contributing to various online entities since 2011 including Examiner.com, Livestrong, and Cdiabetes.com
