TAKING ANTIBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS

Should you take antibiotics and probiotics at the same time? Or, should you take
probiotics with antibiotics or after? The answer is to take antibiotics and probiotics
together but not at the same time. A rule of thumb is to take your probiotic 2 hours
before or 2 hours after taking your antibiotic. This gives sufficient time for the
antibiotic to work while not killing off the beneficial bacteria. If you wait until your
antibiotic therapy is over to take your probiotics (typically 7-10 days), then you will
have needlessly suffered digestive upset for over a week.
Reference web site: https://vitamedica.com/wellness-blog/antibiotics-and-probiotics-what-
you-need-to-know/
Use of probiotic Lactobacillus preparation to prevent diarrhoea associated with antibiotics: randomised double
blind placebo controlled trial
BMJ 2007; 335 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39231.599815.55 (Published 12 July 2007)
Cite this as: BMJ 2007;335:80

OMEGA-3S FOR INFANTS, PRENATAL HEALTH, AND PREGNANCY

https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/who-needs-omega-3s#2

Omega-3s are important for children’s health right from the start – actually, before
they’re even born. Here’s some of the evidence.
 Cognitive development. Some studies show that infants fed formulas enriched
with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA show improvements in hand-eye coordination,
attention span, social skills, and intelligence test scores. Studies have shown that
children born to mothers who took supplements of omega-3s (DHA and EPA) during
pregnancy and the during the first months of breastfeeding scored higher on
cognitive tests at 4 years of age compared to children whose mothers did not take
supplements of DHA and EPA.
 Asthma risk. A 2008 study found that the teenage children of women who took
fish oil during pregnancy were less likely to have developed asthma.
 Growth. There’s some evidence that when omega-3s are added to formula, it
promotes growth and brain development in premature infants.
 Preterm labor. A 2003 study found that women who ate eggs enriched with
omega-3s were less likely to go into premature labor than women who ate
standard eggs.
Although none of these studies are conclusive, there’s good reason to make sure that
infants – and pregnant women -- are getting their omega 3s such as DHA and EPA.
Many infant formulas are now supplemented with DHA. A mother’s breast milk is an
ideal source of omega-3s, although it may be affected by how many omega-3s she’s
getting in her diet.

OMEGA-3S FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

Some of the childhood conditions that have been studied include:

 ADHD. Kids with ADHD may have lower levels of omega-3s in their bodies than
normal, and a few small studies have looked at fish oil supplements as a
treatment. They found that the supplements might improve behavior, reduce
hyperactivity, and boost attention in kids under 12.
 Depression. Fish oil is often used as a treatment for depression in adults; there
have been a few studies in children too. One small 2006 study of fish oil in
depressed 6- to 12-year-olds found it helped their symptoms significantly.
 Diabetes. One small study looked at kids who were at high risk of developing type
2 diabetes. The researchers found that those who ate a high omega-3 diet were
less likely to develop the condition.
 Asthma. Omega-3s may reduce inflammation in the airways, which could benefit
those with asthma. One small study of 29 children with asthma found that those
taking fish oil for 10 months had fewer symptoms than those who didn’t. However,
other studies of omega-3s as an asthma treatment have not found consistent
evidence that they help.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/who-needs-omega-3s#2
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation in Children with Autism: A Double-
blind Randomized, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study
Background
There is increasing evidence that fatty acid deficiencies or imbalances may contribute
to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders.
Methods
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 6-week pilot trial
investigating the effects of 1.5 g/d of omega-3 fatty acids (.84 g/d eicosapentaenoic
acid, .7 g/d docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation in 13 children (aged 5 to 17
years) with autistic disorders accompanied by severe tantrums, aggression, or self-
injurious behavior. The outcome measure was the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC)
at 6 weeks.
Results
We observed an advantage of omega-3 fatty acids compared with placebo for
hyperactivity and stereotypy, each with a large effect size. Repeated-measures
ANOVA indicated a trend toward superiority of omega-3 fatty acids over placebo for
hyperactivity. No clinically relevant adverse effects were elicited in either group.
Conclusions
The results of this study provide preliminary evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may
be an effective treatment for children with autism.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for the Treatment of Children With

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptomatology: Systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis
Objective
Several studies have demonstrated differences in omega-3 fatty acid composition in
plasma and in erythrocyte membranes in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) compared with unaffected controls. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-
inflammatory properties and can alter central nervous system cell membrane fluidity
and phospholipid composition. Cell membrane fluidity can alter serotonin and
dopamine neurotransmission. The goal of this meta-analysis was to examine the
efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in children with ADHD.
Method
PubMed was searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials examining omega-3
fatty acid supplementation in children with ADHD symptomatology. The primary
outcome measurement was standardized mean difference in rating scales of ADHD
severity. Secondary analyses were conducted to determine the effects of dosing of
different omega-3 fatty acids in supplements.
Results
Ten trials involving 699 children were included in this meta-analysis. Omega-3 fatty
acid supplementation demonstrated a small but significant effect in improving ADHD
symptoms. Eicosapentaenoic acid dose within supplements was significantly
correlated with supplement efficacy. No evidence of publication bias or heterogeneity
between trials was found.
Conclusion
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, particularly with higher doses of
eicosapentaenoic acid, was modestly effective in the treatment of ADHD. The relative
efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was modest compared with currently
available pharmacotherapies for ADHD such as psychostimulants, atomoxetine, or α 2
agonists. However, given its relatively benign side-effect profile and evidence of
modest efficacy, it may be reasonable to use omega-3 fatty supplementation to
augment traditional pharmacologic interventions or for families who decline other
psychopharmacologic options.

Omega-3 Treatment of Childhood Depression: A Controlled, Double-Blind

Pilot Study
Hanah Nemets , M.D. Boris Nemets , M.D. Alan Apter , M.D. Ziva Bracha , M.D. R.H. Belmaker , M.D.
Published online: June 01, 2006
Abstract
Objective: Major depressive disorder in children may be more common than previously
thought, and its therapeutics are unclear. Because of success in a previous study on
omega-3 fatty acids in adult major depressive disorder, the authors planned a pilot
study of omega-3 fatty acids in childhood major depression. Method: Children who
entered the study were between the ages of 6 and 12. Ratings were performed at
baseline and at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks using Children’s Depression Rating Scale
(CDRS), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI).
Children were randomized to omega-3 fatty acids or placebo as pharmacologic
monotherapy. Twenty-eight patients were randomized, and 20 completed at least 1
month’s ratings. Results: Analysis of variance showed highly significant effects of
omega-3 on symptoms using the CDRS, CDI, and CGI. Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty
acids may have therapeutic benefits in childhood depression.
Omega-3 fatty acids in boys with behavior, learning, and health problems
Author links open overlay panelLaura J.Stevens∗Sydney S.Zentall†Marcey
L.Abate‡ThomasKuczek‡John R.Burges∗
Abstract
The purpose of the study reported here was to compare behavior, learning, and
health problems in boys ages 6 to 12 with lower plasma phospholipid total omega-3 or
total omega-6 fatty acid levels with those boys with higher levels of these fatty acids.
A greater frequency of symptoms indicative of essential fatty acid deficiency was
reported by the parents of subjects with lower plasma omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid
concentrations than those with higher levels. A greater number of behavior problems,
assessed by the Conners' Rating Scale, temper tantrums, and sleep problems were
reported in subjects with lower total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations. Additionally,
more learning and health problems were found in subjects with lower total omega-3
fatty acid concentrations. (Only more colds and more antibiotic use were reported by
those subjects with lower total omega-6 fatty acids.) These findings are discussed in
relation to recent findings for omega-3 experimentally deprived animals.

Thank You & Humble Regards.

Nauman Bin Arif.
Product Manager,
ACE CARE, Pharmaceutical.