Digestion Powder

Child’s gut is responsible for their overall health and is connected to their immune system, mood, mental health and body functioning.  Most of the diseases emerge in the gut, which is a component of a child's digestive system.  Digestive track plays a vital role in our body, as it is responsible for absorbing nutrients and eliminating waste. Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which is further used by the body for energy, growth and cell repair. A kid’s gut health says a lot about their internal health.  If you want to set your child up for a lifetime of good health, it is essential to flourish their gut with best probiotics for kids.  Digestive disorders can affect your child’s growth and development. By recognizing symptoms early, you can help your child lead a healthy life.

Symptoms of Digestive Disorders in kids:

Stomach pain: Stomach pain is common in children. It can be caused by a variety of reasons such as eating too much, needing to go to the washroom or stress about an upcoming event. However, if your child complains of stomach pain frequently, it can be a matter of concern. The most common causes of stomach pain in children include indigestion, infection, appendicitis (causes acute or sudden pain) (How to correctly identify stomach pain?)

Vomiting: There can be different reasons why a kid throws up. Some of them are viral infections, motion sickness, food poisoning, fever, or coughing. They can also vomit because of concerns such as meningitis, appendicitis and intestinal blockages. If your child vomited more than once and there is blood or bile (green or yellow coloured liquid) in vomit, call your doctor. (Some easy home remedies to fix coughing)

Diarrhea: Diarrhea could be a result of the body’s inability to absorb foods. It may last 1 or 2 days and go away on its own. However, if it lasts for more than 2 days, it’s a matter of worry. Diarrhea may be caused by a bacterial infection, viral infection, parasites that enter through food or water, and reaction to medicines. Probiotics for kids help in diarrhea.

Problem with appetite: Digestive issues may lead to children losing their appetite. A loss of appetite is often temporary and the appetite will come back once the child has recovered.

Bloating in the belly: Gas is the most common cause of bloating. When kids eat or drink too fast or chew gum, they might swallow extra air that causes gas. It can trigger stomach pain. Bloating could also be a sign of several GI (gastrointestinal) disorders, like food intolerance or any celiac disease (an immune reaction to eating gluten). GI diseases mainly occur in the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum.

Eating processed and packaged food is a common phenomenon nowadays. Children who consume a lot of refined and processed foods in their regular lifestyle, have a higher chance of developing obesity. Such foods are high in sodium and added sugar and lack fiber resulting in poor digestion among children. Fiber is essential to bind with bile and support daily digestion. Lack of fiber and probiotics for kids directly hampers the digestive system of  kids. This often results in abdominal cramps, bloating, irritable mood, reduced immunity and weight gain. It can also have serious consequences on the intestine health in the long run. You can easily prevent digestive disorders in your child by making little changes in their diet. (How does sugar impact the body?)

Preventive measures to improve digestion in kids:

• Introducing small meals
• Chewing food slowly and carefully
• Fibre rich seasonal fruits and vegetables
• Intake of plenty of water to cleanse child’s digestive system
• Enough sleep helps to rejuvenate the child’s digestive system
• Reduced processed foods
• Probiotics for kids
• Include digestive powder

Best food for Digestion problems:

1. Tapioca starch:

Tapioca is a delicious starch extract derived from the cassava plant. High in dietary fiber tapioca helps in digestion and constipation. Fiber bulks up the stool, which may help move it through the digestive tract, thereby eliminating constipation, bloating, and intestinal pain. It is also rich in protein, calcium iron and vitamin K, all of these support the overall growth of kids.

2. Sweet potato:

The high fiber content of this food helps in preventing constipation and promotes a well-functioning digestive tract. According to a study, dietary fiber found in sweet potatoes such as cellulose, lignin and pectin helps in maintaining gut health and improves digestion. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, potassium, magnesium and calcium that helps in the overall health of your baby. (Easy sweet potato fries recipe)

3. Black urad:

Urad dal is usually called black dal when whole and white when it is skinned and split. It is great in taste and in nutritional content. Urad dal is one of the best options to improve your digestion. It is Rechana (laxative) in nature. Consuming Urad dal helps to add bulk to stool and its high fiber content improves bowel movement. Together, it helps control constipation. It is a great source of protein too.

4. Giloy:

It is a shrub and an essential herb in ayurvedic medicines. Giloy is used to treat a wide range of health conditions. It contains important plant compounds like terpenoids, alkaloids, lignans, and steroids. Research shows that these compounds have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties which not only helps in boosting immunity, but Giloy stem can also help improve digestion, reduce constipation, acidity, gas and bloating. It works well for people with a weak digestive system.

5. Shallaki:

Also known as Boswellia serrate, this  Ayurvedic herb is used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including those affecting the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. diarrhoea, dysentery, and inflammatory bowel disease).Shallaki is also rich in carbohydrates and calcium, thus helps in bone growth and improves appetite.

6. Sendha namak ( rock salt):

In traditional Ayurvedic practices, rock salt is used as a home remedy for various digestive ailments, including stomach worms, heartburn, bloating, constipation, stomach pain, and vomiting. It can be used as a natural substitute for laxatives. It’s simply added to dishes in place of table salt and due to the beneficial minerals which are possessed by Rock salt it helps in proper digestion.

7. Raw banana:

Just with the addition of raw banana, a child can meet the daily fiber requirement considerably. It is a fiber rich food with around 60% fiber, which is a god-sent solution to improper digestion. (Some more foods rich in fibre). It is also extremely high in Vitamin B6, which keeps haemoglobin high, gives ample energy and helps kids fight weakness, fatigue and crankiness.

8. Green tea extract:

Green tea contains polyphenols and it help to improve your body's digestive process. Studies on green tea extracts have demonstrated similar benefits to those associated with drinking it as a tea. Green tea extract has high antioxidant content, which helps improve health and body composition.

9. FOS:

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are composed of short fructose chains. They are a type of carbohydrate called oligosaccharides. FOS occurs naturally in many plants. They are prebiotic fibers that support the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. FOS are a good source of soluble, dietary fiber and have been shown to reduce, or eliminate constipation.

10. Greens:

Curry leaves are famous to support digestion and stimulate digestive enzymes. The laxative properties of curry leaves also help in regulating the bowel movement and help in treating issues like gas and diarrhea.

Arbi or taro leaves is a green leafy vegetable that’s high in potassium, folate, fiber and vitamins C and A. Taro root contains plenty of fiber and resistant starch, it is beneficial for gut health and supports a healthy digestive system.

11. Bacillus coagulans:

Bacillus coagulans is a type of  good bacteria (probiotics). It is used similarly to lactobacillus and other probiotics as "beneficial" bacteria. People take Bacillus coagulans for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, gas, airway infections, and many other conditions