1. Probiotics
Dilip J Karnik, MD
Pediatric Neurologist

2. What is a Probiotic?
Substances that stimulate the growth of beneficial organisms in the gut
They are live bacteria and yeasts
Probiotics are often called "good" or "helpful" bacteria because they help keep the gut healthy
Example: Yogurt

3. Benefits of Probiotics: Balance
Help Balance the Friendly Bacteria in the Digestive System
An imbalance means there are too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria
An imbalance can happen due to an illness, medications such as antibiotics, or due to poor diet and health

4. Benefits: Prevent and Treat Diarrhea
Probiotics help antibiotic associated diarrhea
Decrease the duration of infectious diarrhea
 Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei and the Saccharomyces boulardii are most commonly associated with a reduced risk of diarrhea

5. Other Benefits: Eczema in children
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Boost Immune System and reduce the duration of respiratory illnesses
Lactobacillus rhamnosus and  Lactobacillus gasseri have shown to reduce weight in some studies

6. Benefits on brain and mental state
 Studies have shown that Probiotics can help with:
Anxiety
Depression
Autism
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Memory 
General health
Stress

7. Difference between Probiotics Prebiotics and Symbiotics
Prebiotics: Fibers that help your normal gut flora you already have in your gut
Probiotics: You take healthy and beneficial bacteria from an outside source
Symbiotics: Product that combines both Pre and Probiotics

8. Probiotic food source
Yogurt
Kefir
Sauerkraut
Tempeh
Kimchi

9. How much do we know?
Much remains to be learned in spite of lot of research
Some probiotics may help prevent diarrhea that's caused by infections or antibiotics
May help with irritable bowel syndrome
Benefits have not been conclusively demonstrated
Not all probiotics have the same effects
In healthy people, probiotics usually have only minor side effects, if at all
People with underlying health problems (for example, weakened immune systems), complications such as infections have occasionally been reported

10. Types of Bacteria used in Probiotics
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are most common
Each of these two broad groups includes many types of bacteria
Other bacteria may also be used as probiotics
Some may have yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii

11. How do you select? Complete Probiotic Platinum Pro-45
Formulated with science behind it
Should have high CFU count : Minimum 40 billion CFUs
Should have multiple Strains
Should have prebiotics
No refrigeration
Complete Probiotic Platinum
Pro-45
Critical Care 50 billion
Do not have my endorsement yet as I am vetting them

12. Mood Improvement
Lactobacillus Helveticus
Bifidobacterium Longum

13. Probiotics in children
Safe for children
Not safe in children with immune disorder, cancer or premature birth
Studies have shown that Resp illnesses and diarrhea improves
Better to give probiotic through food

14. Probiotics for children
Garden of life Probiotic for Children
Nature’s way Primadophilus for Kids
Culturelle Kids chewable
Rainbow Light Gummies

15. Important to Note
Don’t replace scientifically proven treatments with unproven products and practices
Consult your health care provider first
If you’re pregnant or nursing a child, or if you’re considering giving your child a dietary supplement, such as probiotics please consult your doctor
Inform your health care providers about any complementary or integrative health approaches you use