Your child's immunity starts in the gut and with good bacteria.
Questions on mothers' minds when their little ones get sick easily...
- "My child eats well and sleeps well, so why does he still get sick so often?"
- "The other children in the nursery don't catch colds, but our child always does."
- "Why am I still not healthy even though I've received all the vaccinations?"
Doctor: The answer may not lie in "medicine or the doctor," but deeper down...in your child's intestines.
The secrets of the immune system that parents never knew.
Doctor: 70-80% of immunity is in the gut [1] because the gut not only serves as a waste-delivery conduit but is also the command center of the body's largest immune system.
Mother: And how does it work, doctor?
Doctor: Your child's intestines contain a large number of immune cells, 70-80% of the entire body, that filter what should enter (nutrients) and what should be expelled (pathogens, toxins). These are helped by tiny, beneficial microorganisms (microbiota) that assist in…
- Produce antibodies.
- Reduce inflammation
- Fighting against pathogens that enter the body.
When the gut is healthy, the body has a strong and precise immune system.
Young children also have an incomplete immune system.
Mother: Is your child's immunity the same as yours?
Doctor: No...the intestines of children aged 1-3 years old are still gradually learning to become a protective barrier and still need appropriate nutrition and behaviors to build a strong immune system, such as...
- Prebiotics (GOS BIO-ACTIVE): Dietary fiber that nourishes good microorganisms to grow [2]
- Natural dietary fiber: from vegetables, fruits, and nuts, to aid digestion.
- Eating habits at regular times: Boost your microbiota balance to work in harmony with your circadian rhythm [3].
A healthy gut helps reduce the chances of developing allergies and inflammation.
Mother: If the intestines are healthy…how can that help my baby be healthy, doctor?
Doctor: Studies have shown that children with a balanced gut microbiome from a young age get sick less often during nursery school [4], have a lower risk of allergies and skin rashes [5] , and have a more precise immune response as adults [6]. So don't wait until your child is sick to boost their immunity; start building a healthy gut for your little one today.
Advice from the doctor:
- Read the milk label to look for GOS, or natural dietary fiber.
- Let your child try mashed vegetables, mashed beans, and chilled fruit instead of snacks.
- Avoid overuse of antibiotics, as they can destroy beneficial gut bacteria.
- Establish a consistent routine for your child, such as waking up, sleeping, and eating at set times, as this helps the microbiota function better.
Mothers can choose to give their children UHT milk fortified with GOS and Vitamin C. This isn't just plain milk that fills them up, but a "fiber shield" that strengthens their intestines and helps them fight off germs from the outside world.
Dr. Worawit
Kanthamalee
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital
Dr. Worawit
Kanthamalee
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital
Written by:
Dr. Worawit
Kanthamalee
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital
References:
1. Vighi, G., et al. Allergy and the gastrointestinal system. Clinical & Experimental Immunology (2008); Wiertsema, SP, et al. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies. Nutrients (2021).
2. Mei, Z., Yuan, J., & Li, D. (2022). Biological activity of galacto-oligosaccharides: A review. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 993052.
3. Li, Y., Jund, M.D., & Thaiss, C.A. (2021). Timing is everything: Impact of the circadian clock on the gut microbiome and immunity. *Trends in Microbiology*, *29*(10), 918-929.
4. Hojsak, I., Snovak, N., Abdović, S., Szajewska, H., Mišak, Z., & Kolaček, S. (2010). Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in children who attend day care centers: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. *Clinical Nutrition*, *29*(3), 312-316.
5. Kalliomäki, M., Salminen, S., Arvilommi, H., Kero, P., Koskinen, P., & Isolauri, E. (2001). Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. *The Lancet*, *357*(9262), 1076-1079.
6. Gensollen, T., Iyer, S.S., Kasper, D.L., & Blumberg, R.S. (2016). How colonization by microbiota in early life shapes the immune system. *Science Immunology*, *1*(1), eaaf9473.
