Yogurt, Autism, ADHD! Go Probiotic!

Did you know Yogurt contains Probiotics?

So what is Probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are good for the human body. When we think of bacteria, we usually think “Bad” but not all bacteria in the human body are “bad”. Probiotics are good or helpful bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut brain axis. They are found in foods like yogurt, Kefir, Kimchi etc.

What is the Gut Brain Axis?

It is a two directional pathway between the Brain and the stomach or gut (Central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract). The brain has a direct effect on the functioning of the stomach and the intestines. Feelings of anxiety, elation, anger etc can all have an effect on the gut and vice versa. Helpful bacteria in the probiotic food like yogurt help maintain a healthy gut brain axis and lead to overall health improvement and immunity of an individual.

Healthy Benefits of Probiotics

Eating probiotic food such as yogurt can have a positive effect on both children and adults. They help maintain a healthy body and reduce various gastrointestinal problems.

• A healthy digestive system: the good probiotics help efficient breakdown of nutrients and better absorption of the same.

• Better body immunity to help fight infections

• Healthier gut leads to better emotional states

Autism and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ASD and ADHD are neurodevelopmental disorders that affects communication, social and behavioral skills of a child and it can be lifelong. Approximately 1 in 500 children in India are diagnosed with Autism.

Probiotics and neurodevelopmental disorders

Researchers have noted that adverse changes in the stomach bacteria may cause serious disorders like ADHD and Autism. Many children with ASD experience dietary or gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, constipation and inflammatory bowel syndrome due to disruption of the good bacteria in the stomach. High levels of Clostridia, a type of ‘bad’ bacteria could be a cause for gastrointestinal problems in children. When ‘good’ bacteria lives in balance with the ‘bad’ bacteria it will result in a healthy digestive system.

Food like yogurt or curd contain ‘good’ bacteria or Probiotics. By introducing probiotic food such as curd or yogurt can improve the overall severity of symptoms in children with ASD.

A 2015 study from Finland has shown that early probiotic supplementation in life may be effective in reducing Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and ASD in children. Dietary supplements with probiotic bacteria improves the gut microbiota and therefore be a useful therapeutic tool to restore normal gut microbiota, reduce inflammation, and potentially decrease behavioural symptoms associated with some children with ASD.

ASD and ADHD are challenging disorders. With various advancements in research , greater knowledge of the Gut brain axis and positive use of probiotics can aid in treatment of symptoms of these neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

For more reading

Pediatr Res 2015 Jun;77(6):823-8.

A possible link between early probiotic intervention and the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders later in childhood: a randomized trial