Should You Feed Your Kid Probiotics? - Issue 50: Emergence
▻http://nautil.us/issue/50/emergence/should-you-feed-your-kid-probiotics
Read our interview with article coauthor, Jack Gilbert, director of the Microbiome Institute.Probiotics have been around for centuries. They form part of our ancestral and contemporary diets and have long been associated with positive health benefits. The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” They are found in many foods, including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and other fermented products. They are also found in breast milk. On the other hand, most commercially available probiotics make torrents of health claims that simply have not been supported by research. A pill with “40 billion live organisms” is not going to help your child lose weight or “boost” their immune system. It (...)