During pregnancy there are several supplements that show clear benefit in addition to a healthy non-junk food diet: Vitamin D, Fish Oils (prefer high DHA) and probiotics.
Here are a few articles posted in the past about the benefits of probiotics during pregnancy:
- Reduce infant dermatitis
- Reduce atopic dermatitis
- Reduces incidences of eczema
- Given to infants it can reduce colic
A recent literature review of probiotics during pregnancy evaluated all the gold standard studies which means they are double-blind, placebo controlled. What they found was that probiotics given during pregnancy reduced the incidence of eczema in their children from ages 2-7 years old. What is interested is that it was only for the lactobacillus genus and not other strains such as bifidobacteria or products that contained a mixture of strains.
Lactobacillus live in the small intestine whereas other genus such as bifidobacteria predominate the colon. This doesn’t mean that a mixture of probiotics are not effective, the study just tells us that for atopic eczema only the lactobacillus showed to be effective.
What should be striking though is that it is the mother taking these supplements in 2nd and 3rd trimester that has an effect on a child at least until 7 years of age! A healthy diet during pregnancy can play a large role in the health of your child!
I always suggest a good probiotics during pregnancy. As long as it doesn’t cause the mom loose stools, constipation or bloating and gas then great. Sometimes probiotics can have side effects as we have individualized microflora in the gut. So if you are pregnant find one that works for you and do take it during pregnancy.
