It’s a little over a week since myself and the kids started on the OptiBac Probiotics and here’s a progress report!
As many will now know, OptiBac are sponsoring me for the Mad Blog awards, this is the perfect partnership, what with the link of probiotics and there effect on gut and digestive health in children on the autism spectrum.
This was an issue that was getting me down. More lately, little man had been experiencing gut problems, including bloating following a small meal, reframing from using the toilet other than those at home (always been the case, yet stomach aches had really increased somewhat of late) awful wind (I mean awful) and generally, a lot of tears.
Something I didn’t know before, was the possible links to the use of probiotic supplements improving anxiety, behavioural problems and other non related digestive health concerns, when given to children on the autism spectrum.
I love Little man the way he is, and certainly wouldn’t change him! However, I would like to make things easier for him by improvement of any issues that cause him great difficulty, and therefore affect his overall health (wouldn’t we all as parents)?
I admit, I’ve always been a big sceptic about supplements and their improvements on autism! We tried the fish oils and saw no improvement what so ever (plus he hated taking these) However this hasn’t been the case with the OptiBac Probiotics.
For those of you that are not aware of what Probiotics are, they are a type of friendly bacteria living in the gut. It is documented that Children with autism may have more digestive health problems due to the imbalance of good and bad bacteria. 
So, this is what the lovely Soraya over at OptiBac sent me for the Little Man
For daily Wellbeing: OptiBac Probiotics Extra Strength
The Extra Strength Probiotics contain 20 billion live microorganisms and five friendly bacteria strains, in one capsule. This is the premium range and will give a child on the autism spectrum a good kick-start in achieving good digestive health, therefore bringing with it a range of other benefits.
Test Run
Little man had no issues taking the capsule (if preferred you can open these up and sprinkle in a glass of water or juice as the contents is flavorless)
These are recommended to be taken in the morning with breakfast! That was our problem, Little man doesn’t eat in the mornings, through we have him taking this with a glass of cold milk.
Any changes in digestive health?
It’s early days but yes, there has already been some changes in his digestive health! Pretty quickly after having first started the probiotics, Little man seemed more comfortable, the last few days I have noticed that he is able to eat more of his food without it upsetting his stomach. By day six I noted that Little man wasn’t nearly as bloated as he usually gets. His of course continuing to refuse to use public toilets waiting till his at home, though he doesn’t get as uncomfortable in the process, whereas before after ten minutes this would have caused himself to double up in agony.
As for the wind, hardly a trump to be heard! This, ladies and gentlemen, is heaven, my little man would break wind non stop (no matter who was there) For some reason it is always worse at night, his farting wakes me, I swear. (and no my son will not be at all embarrassed that I wrote this, he would pretty much laugh his arse off)!
This, I can only put down to the Probiotic extra strength supplement, as nothing else has every worked!
What a result!
Other issues, non gut related
What I’ve noticed
Slight improvements in anxiety levels
Again, It’s just over a week, I can’t say a 100% that the probiotics are the reason behind a slight improvement in his anxiety levels, though I think it’s looking pretty likely to be the case!
Even such a small decrease in a week, to me is fabulous. Anxiety is the thing that triggers a lot of little mans impulsive behaviours, along with his difficulty with sensory processing.
Any improvement in this area are much welcome!
Little man is a little less likely to over think things, reading too much into things, which he does a lot! This past week, there has been fewer questions asked by little man, which is often fired at me so to offer him reassurance! He will normally do this even if he knows that something will or will not happen, just so his that bit more reassured. When increased anxiety has risen, there has again been a small improvement in the speed in-which his anxiety is again reduced to a clam state, therefore allowing reasonable thinking.
Behaviour
This has obviously also sightly improved, due to the reduction in anxiety which again, along with sensory processing, is one of his main triggers for behavioural difficulties.
Sleep
No improvement here as yet, though he is getting up quicker and dressing a little faster! There is definitely something happening here folks and for just over a week I’m seriously impressed.
The siblings
Alice-sara and little Harley are taking the
‘For your Child’s health” probiotic and prebiotic
These come in individuals packets and are powdered so can be added to cold drinks and cold food. The range is safe for children, pregnant women, and mothers who are breastfeeding.
The box contains 30 powders and at one a day (more if desired) they last one month.
Results
Alice-Sara has always experienced bloating and discomfort and over the week, this is again starting to decrease. Harley has not had any more stomach cramps (These were regular before using the probiotics) his had no constipation what so ever! Bonus!!
And as for me… (Mum)
Product: Maintaining regularity!
It’s working! Enough said (Hide’s glowing red face and cringes with embarrassment)!
Though this are also good for gaining a flat tum, No that hasn’t happened as yet!
So, what more is there to say, except… OptiBac Probiotics don’t cost the earth so are really worth a try, especially if your child has autism. Watch this space for another OpticBac progress report soon.
OptiBac Probiotics Facebook Competition
Wouldn’t it be great to test run these fabulous supplements for free?
Enter the facebook competition on the OpticBac facebook page, to bag yourself , child or both, some OptiBac Probiotics!
Win… Extra Strength premium capsules (that Little man is currently using, and reviewed above) Awesome for those with autism but equally as great for those without.
Win… ‘For your child’s health’ probiotic and prebiotic (as taken by the siblings and reviewed above, good for children with and without autism).
Win… ‘For Bowl Calm’ trail pack. Great for upset stomach and can be given from three years plus.
OptiBac asked me to invite my lovely readers over to their facebook page.
If you are willing to quickly click the like button, letting them know ‘A Boy with Aspergers’ sent you, before finally sharing the competition by pressing the share button on their page, you’ll be in the running for both kits with a prize value of over £40!
CLICK HERE FOR THE OPTIBAC FACEBOOK PAGE
How easy is that!!!
Most products are Ok for those on, gluten & yeast free, vegan & vegetarian diets and are also free from artificial colourings and sugar. Each of the products vary slightly, check the OptiBac Probiotics website, where you will find a full list of info for each product.
Note: The competition is hosted by OptiBac who will draw the winner from random, please see their full T&C when the website by clicking HERE
Remember to let them know who sent you.
Related articles
- Probiotics and Weight Loss (everydayhealth.com)
- Many Probiotics Short on Bacteria (fitsugar.com)
- Friendly Bacteria Cheer Up Anxious Mice (scientificamerican.com)
A boy with Asperger's 
You’re making a mistake if you have your son drink milk when you’re trying to improve his autism. Milk and all dairy products should be avoided as much as possible. Wheat and Dairy products are the two major food allergies to autism.
I am glad that this probiotic is helping your son. My only issue with this probiotic is, it uses Rosell strains. If they could provide alternative strain names/numbers, where there are published articles on Pubmed, their exposure to autism community will be far larger. If there is no other strain names to these Rosell strains, at least provide with some literature that shows efficacy of these strains in autism arena.
Probiotic industry is wild west at this moment and needs to be regulated, much better than it is done at this moment. If every company comes up with the ‘proprietary’ strains with very little literature attached to it, we, the parents of the kids of spectrum’, will go mad trying out each and every product out there in the market. We will get fleeced financially, thats whole another ballgame.
The point is, directed towards the manufacturer, please provide literature related to the probiotics. If its not available, provide with ATCC or NCIMB etc numbers of these strains.
His now 15 in a few weeks so not so little and more.
How old is “little man”?
Have done your Facebook thingy!