BABY'S ONLY ESSENTIALS PROBIOTIC

Probiotics Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a Probiotic and why use it?

    A probiotic is a live microbial (bacterial) product that beneficially affects the body by improving its intestinal microbial balance and, thus, improving gut health.

    Ingesting probiotics can help foster the proper balance of bacteria to maintain good gut health. Scientists believe that many diseases begin in the gastrointestinal tract where compounds are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. Probiotics are the “good” bacteria in the gut. This prevents “bad” bacteria from gaining strength by numbers in the body. When “bad” bacteria become unbalanced, a child may experience excessive gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Healthcare professionals usually recommend an oral electrolyte solution to help prevent dehydration due to diarrhea. PediaVance® Electrolyte is scientifically formulated to contain appropriate levels of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), water and carbohydrates to maintain proper hydration. PediaVance® Electrolyte is made with organic white grape juice concentrate, comes in natural grape and apple flavors, and contains no artificial colors. Intestinal toxicity caused by an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria or an inadequate level of “good” bacteria also affects digestion and could also result in constipation and the poor absorption of nutrients.

    Fuller, R., ed. Probiotics: the Scientific Basis. London: Chapman & Hall, 1992.
    Fuller, R., “A review: probiotics in man and animals,” J Appl Bacteriol 1989; 66: 365-378.

  • What purpose does a prebiotic serve?

    A prebiotic is a non-digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the body by selectively stimulating the growth, activity, or both of one or a limited number of bacteria residing in the intestinal tract.1 Breast milk contains a significant level of prebiotic substances, including oligosaccharides. The prebiotic used in Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic is Fructooligosaccharide (FOS), an oligosaccharide naturally derived from beet sugar.

    1. Gibson, G. R. and Roberfroid, M. B., “Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: Introducing the concept of prebiotics,” J Nutr 1995; 125: 1401-1412.

  • What is unique about the Probiotic Supplement?

    Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic contains live and active “good” bacteria specifically blended to meet the needs of toddler and infants using three types of Bifidobacteria. It is the only probiotic supplement available today containing these three “good” Bifidobacteria in combination with the prebiotic FOS. The use of Bifidobacteria is important because they are the dominant “good” bacteria found in breastfed infants.1,2,3,4,5 In fact, Bifidobacteria make up to 80% to 90% of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract of breastfed infants. Also the Bifidobacteria used in Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic Supplement were originally cultured from healthy infants. Each packet of Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic Supplement contains the following:

    • Bifidobacteria longum BB536 – 1 billion
    • Bifidobacteria breve M-16V – 1 billion
    • Bifidobacteria infantis M-63 – 1 billion

    To support the developing immune system in an infant, breast milk also contains oligosaccharides which are prebiotics. Prebiotics are used by the Bifidobacteria as food to support their growth. The prebiotic fructooligosaccharide (FOS) is used in Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic. FOS is naturally derived from sugar beets and contains no genetically modified ingredients. Each packet of Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic delivers 1.0 gram of FOS. The combination of Bifidobacteria and FOS is considered a synbiotic, meaning that the FOS is specifically used and preferred by the Bifidobacteria as food to survive and grow.6

    1. Benno, Y., et al, “The intestinal microflora of infants: composition of fecal flora in breast-fed and bottle-fed infants,” Microbiol Immunol 1984; 28: 975-986.
    2. Braun, O. H., “Effect of consumption of human milk and other formulas on intestinal bacterial flora in infants,” In: Lebenthal, B., ed. Gastroenterology and Nutrition in Infancy. New York: Raven Press, 1981: 247-251.
    3. Modler, H. W., et al, “Bifidobacteria and bifidogenic factors,” Can Inst Food Sci Technol 1990; 23: 29-41.
    4. Yoshita, M. et al, “Development of the normal intestinal flora and its clinical significance in infants and children,” Bioscience Microflora 1991; 10: 11-27.
    5. Moreau, M.C., et al, “Establishment of the digestive tract microflora in newborn infants as a function of milk type,” Reprod Nutr Dev 1986; 26: 745-753.
    6. Collins, M.D. and Gibson, G. R., “Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics: Approaches for modulating the microbial ecology of the gut,” Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 69(Suppl):1052S-1057S.

  • Can the Probiotic Supplement help lactose intolerant children?

    Lactose intolerance occurs when the body does not produce the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the sugar lactose (milk sugar), or when the maturing small intestine in an infant or child cannot produce a sufficient level of lactase needed to digest the amount of lactose consumed. When the body is not able to handle the amount of lactose consumed, bloating, gassiness, and a very fussy child results. The research on use of probiotics for lactose intolerance individuals has shown mixed results. Some people benefit from the use of probiotics while others do not. The reasons for this are unknown and continue to be the focus of ongoing research. For those whom probiotics help, it is thought that the probiotics themselves digest lactose, thus reducing the symptoms of lactose intolerance. The suggestion has been made that healthcare professionals counsel lactose intolerant individuals to try probiotics and see if they do help to reduce symptoms.1

    1. Levri, K. M., et al, “Do probiotics reduce adult lactose intolerance? A systematic review,” Journal of Family Practice 2005; July: 613-620.

  • What allergens or ingredients may cause an intolerance?

    The Bifidobacteria in Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic are grown in appropriate culture media (food to promote growth of the bacteria). The culture media still in use today may be dairy or fish based. However, there is no lactose in Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic. It is lactose-free, galactose-free, and egg-free. For children with severe allergic responses to dairy products, please consult a healthcare professional before using Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic. Minute traces of cow’s milk protein may be present if the culture medium used was dairy based.

  • Are the good bacteria live?

    Yes, the Bifidobacteria in Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic are live and each serving provides a minimum of 3 billion Bifidobacteria. To assure live cultures, Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic is packaged in a moisture-proof and air tight packet and is rigorously tested throughout shelf life to assure that the bacteria are not only live but also in the appropriate amount as stated on the label. The present shelf life is 24 months. Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic should be stored in a cool, dry location. It can also be refrigerated or kept in a freezer if desired. However, Baby’s Only Essentials® Probiotic should be allowed to come to room temperature before opening to prevent the formation of moisture within the packet.

  • Has the Probiotic Supplement been FDA approved?

    FDA does not approve dietary supplements. FDA does monitor health claims on dietary supplements and will contact a manufacturer if there are issues with health claims on a manufacturer’s product label. In the United States, the FDA has given GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status to FOS and probiotics for the general population, including children.

*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.