Our digestive tract or gastrointestinal tract is in a way our internal "laboratory" through which we degrade the food we eat to extract the nutrients present in it:
- water,
- vitamins,
- minerals,
- amino acids (proteins),
- lipids (fats) and
- carbohydrates ("sugars").
This process, known as nutrition, is extremely important. But when assimilation or absorption is not yet complete and it occurs prematurely, our stool is not formed and is expelled in liquid or watery form.
This is called diarrhea and if it is not treated in time, it can have consequences, since by not absorbing nutrients, we can become dehydrated (secondary dehydration can cause a water-electrolyte unbalance, since it increases the number of bowel movements) and aggravate to the point of death. In fact, diarrhea, in a matter of hours, can lead to death in infants, which is why it is so important to administer fluids, since the main function of the last portion of the intestine (large intestine) is the absorption of fluids and electrolytes.
Unfortunately, in spite of the proven efficacy of oral rehydration solutions in the treatment of diarrhea complications, they do not reduce stool frequency, fluid loss or length of illness.
What is the most common cause of diarrhea in children?
Rotavirus, which is a virus that causes the most severe episodes of gastroenteritis in children between 4 months and 2 years of age. The virus infects and damages the cells lining the small intestine and causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever in the infected person. Rotavirus is the cause of 50% of hospitalizations for severe childhood diarrhea. The viruses are transmitted through the stool of those infected before and after they develop symptoms of illness.
Probiotics for infants with diarrhea:
Probiotics have been recommended for use in the treatment and prevention of acute diarrhea for more than 20 years.
Probiotics are live bacteria and live yeasts that restore the natural balance of bacteria in the intestine when it has been disturbed by illness or treatment.
Effectively is through probiotic supplementation.
Typically, in infants and even preschool children (under 6 years of age), diarrhea occurs in an average of three episodes of acute diarrhea per year. Fortunately, there is more and more information on this topic and research indicates that one way to treat diarrhea more effectively is through probiotic supplementation.
Probiotics boost the immune system, competing with pathogenic microorganisms for nutrients and adhesion sites on intestinal cells, acidifying intestinal contents and developing neutralizing substances for intestinal pathogens. The rational basis for their use is the restoration of the intestinal microbiota and thus counteracting enteropathogens.
Probiotics adhere to the cells of the intestine increasing the "barrier effect", exerting a competitive effect with other bacteria, occupying their binding sites and inhibiting the growth of enteropathogens.
Studies published so far have shown that the use of probiotics reduces the duration of diarrhea by one day, reduces the risk of diarrhea lasting more than 4 days, reduces the likelihood of dehydration and reduces the number of days of hospital admission.
Which probiotics to take for diarrhea?
Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria promote intestinal maturation and integrity. They are antagonists of pathogens and contribute to the modulation of intestinal immunity.
Some of the natural probiotic strains that have demonstrated their benefit in the prevention and treatment of acute diarrhea in children are Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis, S. boulardii and L. Acidophilus.
Pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella cannot survive in the human gastrointestinal tract when the pH is too low. By inhibiting the spread of these pathogenic bacteria, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies Bulgaricus enhances immune function.
There are other species of pathogenic bacteria that resist an acidic environment (such as that of the stomach), such is the case of Helicobacter pylori, for this type of harmful agents it has been shown that Streptococcus thermophillus controls the provoked diarrhea.
Antibiotic treatment produces a reduction in the microbial richness, diversity and uniformity of the gastrointestinal tract, for "drug diarrhea" (diarrhea caused by the use of drugs) Lactobacillus Paracasei has shown a significant reduction in the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD).
How to take probiotics against diarrhea?
The best results from the use of probiotics to treat diarrhea are extracted when they are taken early, so their efficacy is greater.
Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria can produce natural antibiotics with a broad spectrum of activity, such as bacteriocins. Thus, they shorten the duration of diarrhea. It has been shown that, to be really effective, they must first have colonized the intestine, so their effects will not be noticed until two or three days after administration.
On the other hand, probiotics have been shown to decrease and shorten the excretion of viruses and bacteria, including rotavirus (there is already research developed even in other species).
I suggest taking them after food, as this is when we can give them more time to act in our gastrointestinal tract.
In Xaviax you will find these strains of live and metabolically active probiotics that will help you restore your intestinal microbiota in less than 24 hours
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus: DTX, OME, C+A, Magnesium and Folic Acid
- Bifidobacterium lactis: CW
- Lactobacillus acidophilus: C+A
- Streptococcus thermophillus: DTX and vitamin D3
- Lactobacillus Paracasei: CW, Vitamin D3, Magnesium and Folic Acid
I invite you to try their benefits, you'll love them!
