Probiotics and prebiotics to boost immunity

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People often confuse probiotics, which express a group of beneficial microorganisms, with prebiotics, which are food for these microorganisms. 

Probiotics

They are microorganisms known as beneficial bacteria or vital aids, and they are found naturally in the gut. They are called beneficial or good because of their importance in eliminating harmful bacteria and producing new beneficial bacteria instead of those lost due to taking antibiotics, for example.

Probiotics improve the performance of the digestive system by secreting enzymes that help in the process of digesting food and breaking down nutrients and improving the absorption of some vitamins and minerals, and the production of some of them, such as the B complex vitamins and vitamin K.

The role of probiotics in enhancing the body's immunity

Probiotics stimulate the immune system in two ways, first by creating a layer of friendly bacteria in the inner gut wall, and second by stimulating the immune cells themselves.

Studies are continuing on the ability of probiotics to help prevent and treat many health problems, such as:

• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea caused by infection or associated with antibiotics, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease.
• Allergic disorders, such as atopic dermatitis (eczema ) and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
• Tooth decay , gum disease and other oral health problems.
• Colic in infants.
• Prevention of enteritis in newborns with very low weights.
• Liver disease.
• Colds and flu.

How does the body obtain probiotics?

Probiotics can be supplied to the body by introducing them to the diet, such as food, supplements, or probiotic-fortified growing up milk for children because their body's immunity is derived from their gut, and from foods that contain probiotics as well:

• Yogurt is the most popular source of probiotics.
• pickles;
• Some soft cheeses.
• Soy drinks.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics or prebiotics are a food source for probiotics and help them grow, multiply and survive in the gut. They are found in non-digestible foods, as they reach the large colon undigested to nourish the existing beneficial bacteria, especially probiotic bacteria.

Prebiotic fiber can be found in foods such as:

• Growing up Milk for Babies.
• garlic and onions;
• Banana.
• apple peel.
• Beans.
• oats;
• Whole bread.
• asparagus;
• artichoke;

Some of the beneficial functions of prebiotics include immune support, aiding in digestion, weight management, increasing bone density, and improving brain health.

What is the role of the intestine in the immune system?

In children, the intestine constitutes 80% of their immunity, because the intestine or the alimentary canal is the most vulnerable part of the body to pathogens, so a strong immune system must be available to restore the bacterial balance between harmful and beneficial bacteria, which is reflected on the health of the child’s immune system to better face any diseases that may speak.

Responsible for this task are microscopic organisms with huge numbers, found in all parts of the body but concentrated in the intestines, called the microbiome, and their functions are many, including enhancing immunity, improving digestion, and treating colic common among children and many others.

From the first day of his birth, the infant is exposed to many sources of bacteria, but they remain limited, but when he begins to walk and learn about the surrounding environment, the types of microbes that his immune system will recognize will increase, and differ from one child to another according to the source of his nutrition and daily practices, and when the child arrives Until the age of 3 years the microbiome will become more stable, but the bacterial composition remains subject to change.