Probotics - Children vs. Adult?

[dantonuccio]

Is it really necessary to purchase the childrens probotics? I have given my girls plain Acidophilus (I guess adult formula) in the past and now I give then the UDO's Children's Probotic because I can open the capsule and pour into their "milk" and it completely dissolves. But what I am wondering is if I can give them an adult formula? The reason is for myself I get much better results when I switch brands after each bottle because every brand uses a different source so by switching I"m getting more. I would like to do the same for the girls but I need a capsule that I can open so the probitics will dissolve. Any one know if it is safe or if it matters at all? Thanks.

[Pat]

Depending upon the age of the children, yes it is important to use children's probiotics. There are about 500 different microflora in the gut. In infant guts, "bifido bacteria-infant" dominates. And it is gradually replaced over the years. There is some thought that it is the loss of this bacteria as the dominate one which is responsible for degenerative (age-specific) diseases.

It is also important to rotate probiotics, if you use bottled probiotics. I don't actually recommend any bottled probiotics. I prefer natural sources of whole food probiotics: kefir, yogurt, kombucha, fermented vegetables, etc. When we administer single or limited strain probiotics to the gut, we disrupt the natural balance of the gut. Unfortunately, most of us have unbalanced guts due to the antibiotics in our food supply, lack of indigenous microflora passed at birth-often due to antibiotics at birth, antibiotic use during pregnancy, frequent antibiotic use during normal illnesses, yeast overgrowth, etc. (don't get me started, lol)

Also, most bottled probiotics are not viable by the time they make it to the large intestine. So, it is about like pouring the expensive probiotics down the drain. You need a specific ph environment for the bacteria to survive to and through the stomach and gut. Most do not recolonize the gut as they are transient without a balance of bacteria for reproducing.

Powdered probiotics are quickly denatured by oxygen. All in all, kefir is easier. LOL


HTH, Pat

[dantonuccio]

I can't get my girls to drink Keifer and neither one likes yogurt. I've tried evey kind out there, even made my own for a while. I just don't know why they don't like it. They are 4 & almost 6. I guess I need to be more creative in flavoring them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I've heard about kombucha but have never had it. Has anyone made this?

Thanks for your help & advice.
Dana

[Pat]

"Homemade yogurt that is fermented for 24 hours, will have an average concentration of 3 billion cfu/mL of yogurt. If you were to eat a small bowl (500 ml) of 24 hour fermented homemade yogurt, you would receive 1.5 trillion beneficial bacteria - 100 times more bacteria than a 15 billion capsule.

Furthermore, freshly made kefir can have an average microbial count as high as 10 billion cfu/ml. This includes a mixture of various bacteria and yeast strains. This means that a 500 ml glass of homemade kefir could contain as many as 5 trillion beneficial microorganisms or even more!"
http://www.healingcrow.com/ferfun/conspiracy/conspiracy.html

So, a teaspoon or tablespoon every day or so, will be many more strains of probiotics (in balance), and MUCH more concentrated probiotics, AND more will be able to survive to the gut. Cheaper too.

I just put a tablespoon of kefir into ds's rice milk, when he has that on cereal or drinks it.

You can make some juice/kefir popsicles too. Any no-bake recipe for cookies or goodies can have a tablespoon of kefir added. Or to frosting, if you do a topping.

I have a simple recipe for chocolate coconut balls with coconut oil, rolled in chocolate. And you can just add a bit of kefir to the mix.

Ds won't drink kefir straight. I make a chocolate milkshake with soaked almonds, kefir, and raw milk for dh and me. But, coconut milk will work as well, with or without the nuts. And coconut easily masks the tartness of kefir. Just use a bit, is the key. :-D

Add the kefir and some maple syrup to already prepared oatmeal. Or make a coconut syrup for pancakes with coconut milk kefir. You can do the same without coconut milk, just use whatever "milk" you use. Or make juice kefir.

I make grape juice kefir with a portion of my milk kefir grains. That is simple. I just put the grains in 100% grape juice and it ferments for 24 hours. It is delicious. Ds drinks that straight, or diluted with some juice/water. It isn't tart, it is not sweet. Adding a bit of juice sweetens it. But, I still dilute it a bit with water.

Same with smoothies, add a bit of juice kefir or milk kefir. Freeze the excess for popsicles.

Kombucha is easy. We'll do a presentation about that soon. But, I haven't made it. I just buy GT Dave's raw, organic kombucha from Earth Fare. I have so many cultured and soaking jars in the cupboards already. LOL

Just start with small doses of the kombucha. It has detox effects, which can be an issue for some folks.

HTH, Pat

[dantonuccio]

Wow! I've never even thought to make the yogurt or keifer in those ways. Thanks for the tips, I'm feeling better about getting my girls to take it.

We drink almond milk and I never thought to just add it to that. Nor did Iknow that a tablespoon had so much in it. Thank you so much!

I really want to see the kombucah presentation. I met a lady that completely reversed her Osteoporosis and the main thing she does is drink this. I've been curious about it ever since.

I'll let you know what finally works for the girls!
Thanks again,
Dana :)