Dietitian and Expert Moms' Best Back to School Defense: Probiotics for Children

SAN BRUNO, Calif., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The shared environment of a classroom, daycare, cafeteria, or playground can expose children to millions of bacteria and germs every single day that can weaken a child's immune system and make them more susceptible to infection and illness. The statistics are enough to make any parent cringe: the average American child experiences from six to 10 colds each year; 22 million days of school are missed annually because of illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses; and a school cafeteria tray can be covered with nearly 33,800 bacterial germs per inch! Leading dietitian, Kerry Neville, recommends probiotics for children like Florastor^®Kids to help give your child's immune system the support it needs to stay strong and ready to fight infection so they can face the school year head on. 

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While the first line of defense should always be a balanced and nutritious diet, incorporating a natural probiotic supplement into a child's daily diet can help support digestive harmony, which can play a huge role in promoting overall health. The benefits of a probiotic supplement come from live microorganisms that help the "good" organisms in the intestines grow and flourish, while pushing out "bad" organisms that can disrupt normal intestinal function. An all-natural, yeast-based, gluten-free probiotic, like Florastor^® or Florastor^®Kids, can be seamlessly incorporated into any child's diet. Available in a kid-friendly, tutti-frutti flavored powder packet that can be mixed into most beverages and soft foods, Florastor^®Kids is a fun, natural way for kids to support their immune systems. And while maintaining a healthy diet might be tricky for children with choosy taste buds, Florastor^® capsules can be swallowed or opened and the flavorless friendly-yeast can be discreetly mixed into flavored beverages and soft foods, so even the pickiest eater can benefit from digestive balance.   

"The gut holds an approximated 70-80% of the body's immune cells, so digestive health has a powerful influence on optimizing overall health for adults and children alike," said registered dietitian, Kerry Neville. "The addition of a probiotic supplement into a child's daily diet can help to promote overall health and wellbeing by increasing the production of immunoglobulin A (IgA), the primary antibody for fighting infection and illness," added Neville. "A natural friendly yeast probiotic like Florastor^® is better able to withstand the harsh acidity of the stomach than a bacterial probiotic and, unlike bacterial probiotics, can be taken safely with antibiotics. These advantages mean uncompromised digestive harmony for you and your child, which is especially important when a child heads to a community environment."

About Probiotic Supplements

Probiotic supplements help the good organisms in the intestines to grow and flourish, promoting digestive harmony, which can benefit overall health. Probiotic dietary supplements are grouped into two categories: yeast or bacteria, which interact with the body differently. Supplements containing bacteria are made up of different strains, which are good for different tasks so their effects may vary. Many of the probiotic supplements you see on the shelf contain some form of bacteria, similar to the organisms in yogurt. Florastor^® and Florastor^®Kids are the only probiotic supplements available in pharmacies across the United States that utilize a friendly yeast, called Saccharomyces boulardii lyo, which is found naturally on the skin of the tropical fruits, lychees and mangosteens. All Florastor^® and Florastor^®Kids products contain the same strain of active ingredient and the same amount of friendly yeast cells, meaning consistent digestive support.

About Florastor® Supplements

Florastor^® is the world's most widely used probiotic and is unique because it is the only friendly yeast-based probiotic available in major retail pharmacies throughout the United States. Florastor^® is safe to take with antibiotics and has versatile options appropriate for adults and children as young as two months. Available in capsule form or dissolvable, kid friendly packets (both 250 mg,) Florastor^® is an easy way to ensure digestive health for the whole family. Florastor^® is available in many major retail pharmacies. For more information and for a store locator, visit www.florastor.com.

Florastor^® and Florastor^®Kids are manufactured by Biocodex, a globally recognized and trusted pharmaceutical company. Florastor^® has been studied and trusted since 1953 and is the number one probiotic worldwide. Florastor^® is recommended by doctors around the world and has been promoting intestinal health in adults and children for over 50 years.

About Biocodex

Biocodex is a privately held pharmaceutical company based in Gentilly, France. Founded in 1953 by Michel Hublot and Francois Ballet, Biocodex specializes in three therapeutic areas- gastroenterology, neurology, and psychiatry and pain treatment. Biocodex products are present, in various forms and names, in some 100 countries.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

SOURCE Biocodex