INFLUENCE OF PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION ON NUTRIENT ASSIMILATION IN HEALTHY PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS: A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBOCONTROLLED EXPLORATORY STUDY

The rise in global use of dietary supplements, especially probiotics, necessitates assessing their effectiveness. Probiotics, beneficial microorganisms like lactic acid bacteria, improve health by modifying the gut microbiota. They are effective in treating gastrointestinal and allergy disorders, obesity, diabetes, and boosting immunity. This study evaluates the impact of a specific probiotic formulation on children's health and nutrient absorption. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 40 pediatric patients aged 14 to 18 were divided into active treatment and placebo groups. The active group received Hyperbiotics PRO-Kids, a symbiotic containing four proprietary probiotic strains and a prebiotic. Clinical outcomes, including blood levels of vitamins, calcium, iron, and zinc, were monitored over 10 weeks. The probiotic group showed significant improvements in weight, BMI, and nutrient absorption, with no adverse effects reported, suggesting probiotics enhance children's immune and nutritional health. However, further research is needed due to limitations like the small sample size and lack of fecal microbiota analysis. Future studies should focus on understanding probiotics' mechanisms and optimizing protocols for pediatric use, emphasizing the need for customized probiotic delivery and recognizing the variability in strain efficacy