Probiotics may increase a child's resistance to infection

A new study published in the journal Paediatrics has reported that probiotics and prebiotics may increase a child’s resistance to infections of the respiratory tract.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are similar to beneficial microorganisms or bacteria that live in the human gut. Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that either feed or stimulate growth and activity of the beneficial microorganisms already present in the gut says Urbod Nutritionist, Amanda Michie. It is thought that these microorganisms have an immune-modulating effect and so are important in fighting infection.