Lepicol for Children:  Gentle Fibre for Children

Lepicol for Children has been specially formulated for children between the ages of 4 – 15 years.  It has a 3-pronged approach to keeping the bowels of children healthy.
Firstly, a blend of soluble fibres that are gentle and non-abrasive is used to help regular bowel movements. 
Secondly, it contains a unique blend of 7 probiotic cultures that are shown to be of particular benefit to children and young adults.
Thirdly, it contains prebiotics that are clinically proven to have a positive influence on the digestive system.

How do you know if a child has insufficient fibre in their diet?

Fibre is often lacking in children’s diets.  More convenience meals and fast foods can mean less natural roughage in the diet.

If your child seems to be straining hard to have a bowel movement, or it is painful for them to pass a motion, this can be the first sign of not enough fibre or liquid in the diet.

In situations like this, parents should try and increase high fiber foods such as cereals, jacket potatoes, baked beans and wholewheat cereals etc. Also, plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit should always be encouraged, as should lots of water and fruit juice. 

If this situation continues, then a visit to the doctor is recommended.

Setting aside a specific time to go to the toilet can help children relax rather than having to rush things, although parents should be careful not to make a behavioural issue out of this by drawing attention to the problem.

Of course, for many parents this is easier said than done as children often prefer fizzy drinks and burgers to fresh vegetables and whole grains.

Why is fibre so important for the bowels?
Fibre can help keep the bowels healthy.  It provides bulk to aid the transit of waste matter through the gut at the appropriate rate to allow efficient digestion and maintenance of a healthy balance of healthy bacteria.

Fiber and obesity in children
Children who lack fibre in their diet are twice as likely to be obese as children who eat lots of fibre in their diet, according to a recent report in the medical journal Pediatrics.

The ingredients in Lepicol For Children.
Lepicol for Children contains a unique, blend of soluble and insoluble fibres which help to form a very soft gel in the digestive system.  This soft gel does not expand or cause bloating and is gentle on the digestive system.  It helps to keep waste matter moist which in turn has a ‘cleansing’ effect.  Other ingredients combine to provide a fine powder mix that is easy to mix with certain liquids and foods so that a child can consume it with relative ease.

Oat B-glucans. 
The main fibre used in Lepicol for children is Oat B-glucans, the soluble fibre in Oats which, according to current knowledge, is the most important active oat ingredient for the body.  The Oat B-glucans used in Lepicol for children are obtained only from Scandinavia. During the harvest season, the long hours of daylight in Scandinavia help to produce Oat cereals with naturally high levels of Oat B-glucans.

This ingredient helps to aid digestion in many different ways but perhaps its major benefit is to improve the speed at which the food moves through the digestive system.  Oat B-glucan has the advantage to provide both soluble and insoluble fibre in a very palatable way. Other natural fibres included are Acacia gum, Xanthan gum, Guar Gum and fine psyllium husk powder.

Natural Energy
Oat B-glucans has a low glycaemic index which means it is absorbed slowly into the bloodstream as an energy source enabling the body to obtain energy for longer.  It is therefore an ideal energy source for children.

Inulin (prebiotic)
Lepicol for children also contains effective levels of Inulin (know as prebiotics), which help to promote the growth of healthy probiotic bacteria in the colon.  They are naturally occurring in vegetables.  Those present in Lepicol for Children are extracted from artichokes.

Probiotics
Lepicol for children also contains seven strains of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria which are specifically important for children. These different strains are ideal for use in children following a course of antibiotics, digestive upsets or during stress. 
                                                                                                                            
The strains are safe for children of all ages and help to maintain the immune system, improving the body’s ability to resist disease.

Some serving suggestions
Lepicol for children can be mixed with fruit juice or water (no flavours are used in the formulation and so water will be too bland for most) and ensure that the correct amount of liquid is consumed.   Because of the fibrous nature, Leicol for children will not dissolve in liquid but it should mix in quite easily.  Using a blender will ensure good dispersion.

Milk shakes/smoothies
If you feel that it is necessary to ‘disguise’ the presence of Lepicol for children, then try mixing with shakes or smoothies (that  are thicker than normal) .  Naturally, because of its absorbent qualities, Lepicol for children will make a milk shake or smoothie slightly thicker than normal so some experimentation may be required.  It may be preferable to try with smaller amounts of Lepicol for children initially to try and find a level that is suitable.  Please ensure that the required levels of liquid are met, either in the shake/smoothie itself or by consuming more liquid afterwards.

Breakfast cereals
Cereals that mix easily with liquid will provide the best vehicles for Lepicol for children.  An obvious example is Ready Brek.  However, as in the case of shakes and smoothies, it may be necessary to use more milk/water/juice than usual.  It is particularly important that Lepicol for children and the cereal are mixed in really well.  Porridge is another good option.  Simply add Lepicol for children to the porridge after it has been cooked.  Remember to take extra fluid either by making the porridge more runny than normal or by drinking more water/juice before or after consumption.

Yoghurts
Don’t forget yoghurts!  Once again, mix in well and don’t forget the liquid requirements!

Active Ingredients:  Oat Beta Glucans, Inulin (prebiotics), Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Psyllium Husk Powder, 7 Strain Probiotic Cultures: Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, sbsp.bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus.      

Ingredients: Oat B-glucans, inulin (prebiotics), Xanthan gum Guar gum, Psyllium husks, 7 Probiotic cultures (Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, subsp.bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus.

Nutrition information  

Lepicol for Children is:

Dairy free
Phytate free
Low in gluten
Free from added sugar
100% natural
Non abrasive
Free from artificial sweeteners, flavourings or colourings
Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Lepicol for children does not stimulate the bowels artificially, is none habit forming and suitable for everyday use.