FloraBear is a blend of probiotics (good bacteria) specifically formulated for the intestinal tract and colon of children. FloraBear is a chewable tablet with citrus flavour from real orange and orange peel for a taste that children will enjoy. Kids love the fun bear shape!

FloraBear is a blend of 4 resident strains of probiotics normally found in children: Bifidobacterium Infantis, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum and Bifidobacterium Longum. These probiotics work synergistically to help ensure a healthy bacterial environment in the intestinal tract. 

The term 'probiotic' means supporting life. Probiotics are friendly, beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are normal inhabitants of the large and small intestines and are an important part of a healthy digestive system. 

Recent research shows that probiotics help improve gastrointestinal function, respiratory and allergy response, as well as help to counter the negative effects of antibiotic use.

Further, these beneficial bacteria help the body to:

• produce vitamins
• absorb nutrients
• control overgrowth of bad bacteria and fungus.

FloraBear for Kids is a children’s chewable, orange flavored probiotic formula that provides the beneficial flora (friendly bacteria) the body uses to create a healthy bacteria balance in the colon.

FloraBear also provides FOS to sustain good bacteria and includes other support for a healthy intestinal lining.

What are Probiotics? The term “probiotic” means supporting life. Probiotics are friendly and beneficial bacteria. Although there are hundreds of different strains of bacteria that live in the digestive tract, two of the most prevalent types of beneficial bacteria are lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum. These bacteria (as well as others) are normal inhabitants of the large and small intestines.

Recent research on probiotics suggests that these friendly bacteria improve gastrointestinal functions, respiratory and allergy response, and may counter the negative effects of antibiotic use.* Probiotics support our immune systems, balance intestinal environments and inhibit the growth of unfriendly organisms.* These beneficial bacteria: 1) produce vitamins, 2) aid in absorption of nutrients, and 3) crowd out unfriendly organisms.

Most commercial probiotic products are made up of multiple species of Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria. Some of the Lactobacilli species are resident (L. acidophilus) and others are transient bacteria (L. casei). Both resident and transient species are beneficial. Resident species live naturally in the digestive tract. Transient species provide benefits while they pass through the digestive system. One strategy is to use a product that contains multiple resident strains of (L. acidophilus or B. bifidum) bacteria and to use specific, well-tested transient strains (L. casei) to provide additional benefits.

Fructooligosaccharides are known as a group of prebiotics, non-digestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth of beneficial mircoflora. Different from Probiotics, the actual beneficial bacteria, Prebiotics, FOS in particular, is resistant to digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract. They work in the large intestine to stimulate the growth of helpful micro-organisms including bifidobacterium. Ongoing studies suggest prebiotics may have possible anticarcingenic, antimicrobial and glucose modulating activities.

Allergies & Digestive Health
Food allergies or intolerances are becoming more prevalent in today’s society. Food allergies involve antibody responses to food.  Food intolerances occur when a food cannot be digested properly, due to an enzyme deficiency. Food intolerance often leads to food allergies because improperly broken down food particles cause an allergic response.

Allergens can be any food substance but the most common ones are dairy products, peanuts, eggs, wheat, corn, soy, the nightshade family, food additives and preservatives and medications like penicillin and aspirin.

Some researchers postulate that early introduction of foods to infants’ causes food allergies.  The infant’s digestive tract is not ready to properly digest foods.  Improperly broken down molecules enter the infant’s bloodstream, look like foreign particles to the immune system, and the immune system subsequently mounts an attack.  Other reasons for the increased prevalence of food allergies are the build-up of environmental toxins.  These toxins cause an additional strain on the body’s immune system.  The overburdened system then begins to react to harmless food particles.  Heredity does appear to play a role in allergies.  If both parents have allergies then the child will have a 70 percent chance of developing allergies.

The best way to treat food allergies is with elimination or rotation diets. Both methods involve charting the foods you eat and any reactions.  Elimination diets start with a cleansing period to eliminate offending substances.  Then the diet is restricted to mild, non-irritating foods.  Finally the testing period begins when a new food is introduced every third day. If a food is okay then it can be added to the diet in moderation.  If a food causes a reaction then it is restricted for a period of a few months. It can then be retried.  Rotation diets limit your food intake to certain food families each day.  It can be used to assess food allergies and is a good method to prevent the return of allergies.

Maintaining Intestinal Health
Many foods that we eat, other substances we consume and our lifestyles contribute to intestinal disorders. Highly processed foods, alcohol, medications and tobacco are difficult for our body to break down and may also physically damage the digestive lining. Processed foods are also deficient in nutrients so not only does the body have to work extra hard to digest the food, but it also gets depleted of the things it needs to do its work.  Water and fibre intake is important to have proper moisture and bulk in the stool and make bowel movements regular.

Stress, anxiety and other emotional concerns put our nervous system in an excited state. Our digestive processes are only fully functional when our nervous system is relaxed.  Sedentary lifestyles decrease movement throughout the digestive tract.  As our transit time slows there is more opportunity for the re-absorption of processed toxins and greater chance of microbial overgrowth.  Slow transit time also dries the stool and makes it more difficult to pass.  Our body is designed so that each time we eat a meal we have a bowel movement.  Many individuals can be considered constipated and have bowel movements less than once daily. One can eat the most nutritious food but if the intestinal membrane is not in good working order the body will not be able to absorb the nutrients.

Some of the most important players in intestinal health are not part of our own body.  Friendly intestinal bacteria, often called probiotics, are an essential part of digestion.  They break down food particles, manufacture vitamins and prevent the infection of the tract with other microbes.  Each bowel movement actually contains millions of these friendly bacteria; they are in a constant state of renewal.  Many concerns like indigestion, gas, bloating and constipation can be due to an imbalance of the intestinal bacteria. It is easy to upset this balance by improper diet or taking medications like antibiotics.

Food that support intestinal health are vegetarian protein, raw vegetables and fruits, whole grains, brown rice, potatoes, carrots, turnips, soy products and green drinks. Consume fermented products (if you have healthy digestion) like yogurt, kefir, quark, buttermilk and natural cheeses to replenish the friendly bacteria that assist with nutrient digestion.  Broil or bake fish and meats instead of frying.  Steam vegetables lightly. Limit or avoid: sugar, refined foods, alcohol, nicotine, coffee and other intestinal irritants.

Probiotic Fact: " Supplementation of infant formula milk with B. bifidum reduced rotavirus shedding & episodes of diarrhea in children in hospitals." (1999, Macfarlane & Cummings)

Ingredients: More info.

Contains no: dairy, wheat, soy, gluten, yeast, animal products, additives or preservatives.

Directions: Children under 4 years of age and older, take 2 tablets daily

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