You can think of probiotics as beneficial bacteria that exist within you and your child’s gut. This bacteria is responsible for several functions: food digestion, nutrient absorption, immune system regulation, and neurotransmitter and energy production. Because probiotics wear such a variety of hats, you can imagine their importance in your child’s daily life and overall brain wellness.
How Probiotics Affect Brain Wellness
The gut is known as the body’s “second brain” due to its impact on the mind and body. The well-being of your child’s second brain is determined by the regulation of a very delicate balance. The gut microbiome has trillions of bacteria–some good and some bad. The goal is to maintain far more helpful bacteria than harmful bacteria.
Your child’s gut and brain are constantly communicating with each other through the enteric nervous system. This system is made up of neurons that control several systems (gastrointestinal, endocrine, immune, and more) and sends messages to the brain. The messages the enteric nervous system sends to the brain influence how it functions.
Essentially, the balance of bacteria in your child’s gut biome communicates to the brain in positive or negative messages. When there are too many negative bacteria in the biome, your child will exhibit symptoms such as hyperactivity, lack of attention, and disruptive moods. Probiotics will ensure your child’s gut biome has a healthy balance of bacteria to avoid negative physical and mental reactions.
Better Brain and Gut Health Through Supplements
Your child’s gut impacts their mental well-being through the neurotransmitters it creates. Any imbalances in their biome will also affect the production of necessary brain-related chemicals, such as serotonin. Serotonin is in charge of energy, mood, sleep, digestion, and more…so a lack of this chemical will have serious consequences on your child’s behavior. You can look to brain and memory power boost supplements to help maintain serotonin balances. Vitamin B-6 and omega-3s are excellent neuro-regulators and help regulate the digestive system. They also act as natural energy boosters, making them a good option for improving brain wellness and gut health.
Other Ways To Support a Healthy Gut and Mind
You can support your child’s microbiome by encouraging healthy habits and carving out more time for gut-positive activities. When it comes to your child’s diet, switching processed foods for whole foods is a great place to start. Processed foods are filled with gut-damaging chemicals and low-quality nutrients that do not encourage good bacteria growth. If you want to take it a step further, slowly try introducing foods with beneficial bacteria. Fermented foods are well known for improving gut health– think kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut.
Encouraging your kid to spend time playing outdoors will help them get more exercise and stimulate their cognitive functions. Contemporary childhood is filled with screens and indoor activities, but going outside to stretch their legs and put their muscles to work will positively benefit your child’s mind and body.
Supplements Can Help Your Child’s Brain Wellness
The best way to take care of your child’s gut biome is by regularly giving them a probiotic supplement. The Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium strains, specifically, are well known for their effectiveness in increasing healthy bacteria growth. Probiotic supplements work towards a happier gut and will serve as natural energy boosters for their mind, too!
Don’t forget that omega-3s and vitamin B-6 are brain and memory power boost supplements that will enrich your child’s cognitive function while supporting their digestive health. Giving these to your child in conjunction with probiotics will provide the best possible brain wellness and balanced gut.
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