Probiotics and Babies

Dear Friends

Cox and fellow researchers concluded in their paper, Lactobacillus casei Abundance is Associated with Profound Shifts in the Infant Gut Microbiome, that supplementing infants with Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus is positively associated with the promotion of a stable, even, and functionally redundant infant gastrointestinal community; and the reduced risk of atopy and asthma later in life (Cox et al., 2010).

Cox et al. (2010) hypothesize that Lactobacillus casei subsp. Rhamnosus  promote a clustering (a consortium of bugs that work well together) of known probiotic species within the infant gut that are more resistant to perturbation and outgrowth of pathogens (See Food Science below).

A randomized, controlled, double-blind study of 159 newborns, found that early feeding of Lactobacillus casei decrease the rate of atopic dermatitis at age two by 50% (Kalliomaki et al., 2001) and that this protective effect was sustained past infancy (Kalliomaki et al., 2003).

Colonization of the infant gut microorganisms over the first year of life is crucial for development of a balanced immune response; and, early alterations in the gastrointestinal microbiota of neonates has been linked with subsequent development of asthma and atopy in older children (Cox et al., 2010).

Therapeutic Food Protocol for the Neonate

• LactORN– 1/8^th of a tsp twice a week (one way is to offer LactORN on your fingertip).

Comment:  LactORN contains Lactobacillius casei rhamnosus. LactOrn is blended with inulin derived from organic chicory root, functioning as an important prebiotic fiber.  It has a naturally sweet taste that babies and adults love.

Others of our synbiotic formulas, that have proven to be powerful probiotic formulas for children, are the Original Synbiotic, the Beta Glucan Synbiotic, and the Supernatant Synbiotic.  Click on their links to see their ingredients.  They all contain L. casei rhamnosus plus other good bugs that L. casei promotes a clustering for a healthy and stronger microbiome.

Food Science

Cox et al.’s (2010)  research question centered upon whether the demonstrable positive effects of L. casei rhamnosus was the result of a species-specific increase in relative abundance that accounts for its protective benefits, or, if there is a global effect on the complex GI microbial consortium.  In other words, is it the L. casei rhamnosus all by itself that is doing the disease-reducing work? Or, is it the presence of L. casei that somehow promotes the growth of other good probiotic organisms, and all together as a consortium (cluster) they protect and enhence the baby’s microbiome. They concluded it was the later, it takes a village to raise a baby!

Analysis of the phylogenetic (physical form/identity) differences characteristic of samples with high L. casei rhamnosus revealed a large number of taxa (families of organism) increased in relative abundance in these communities.  These included a number of known beneficial species belonging to the Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae.  Community phylogenetic metrics demonstrated that the promoted taxa were strongly phylogenetically related; and, suggests functional redundancy with GI communities that possess L. casei rhamnosus in high abundance.

In summary the Cox et al. L. casei rhamnosus study demonstrates that high abundance of this probiotic organism is associated with a dramatic change in GI microbial community composition in infants, impacting the relative abundance of a large number of taxa that can be beneficial in reducing the risk of allergy and atopy later in life.

References

• Cox, M.J., Huang, Y.J., Huang Y.J., Fujimura, K.E., Liu, J.T., McKean, M., Boushey, H.A., Segal, M.R., Brodie, E.L., Cabana, M.D., Lynch, S.V. (2010). Lactobacillus casei Abundance Is Associated with Profound Shifts in the Infant Gut Microbiome. PLOS| one; Tenth Anniversary. Full paper.
• Kalliomaki, M., Salminen, S., Arvilommi, H., Kero, P., Koskinen, P. et al (2001). Probiotic in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Lancet; 357: 1076-1079.
• Kalliomaki, M., Salminen, S., Poussa, T., Arvilommi, H., Isolauri, E. (2003). Probiotics and prevention of atopic disease: 4-year follow-up of a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Lancet; 361: 1869-18

Sincerely yours,

Seann

We have developed our products based on scientific research and/or the practical experience of many healthcare practitioners.  There is a growing body of literature on food based nutrition and supplements and their application in support of our health. Please use our products under the advisement of your doctor.

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