As children age, the inulin becomes less and less effective at controlling bacterial overgrowth. I believe this is due to the natural maturation of the intestinal bacteria as children mature into adulthood. We are not just trying to suppress “gut bacteria” as a singular entity, we are needing to suppress and balance over a thousand distinct species within the large intestine, all of which have their own unique characteristics. nnThe species of bacteria that tend to overgrow in the small intestine of a younger child (let us call them species A) may just tend to be more sensitive to the prebiotic effects of inulin. As a result, inulin is more effective in smaller children.nnAs the child’s intestinal bacteria naturally mature with age, species that are less sensitive to the effects of inulin (let’s call these species B) might be more likely to cause overgrowth and make inulin seem to lose its effectiveness in balancing the intestinal bacteria.

When first starting your child on the protocol, the recommendation is to begin at 1/8th tsp of inulin and then remain steady on that dose for 6-8 weeks, allowing you to fully assess the impact of that initial dose. nnIf you do not see any noticeable changes at that time, you may increase by another 1/8th tsp. Once you find the dose of inulin that triggers an awakening or other evident signs of recovery, you do not increase inulin further. If at some point inulin stops working, you move on to Rifaximin as increasing inulin will not improve the situation.

For reasons that are still unexplained, inulin has the ability in some children to trigger an increase in hyperactivity, anxiety, thirst, hunger and insomnia in children. These are symptoms that suggest inulin is capable of lowering brain blood pressures. I recommend not exceeding 1/4 – 1/2 of a teaspoon per day of inulin in children as higher doses might trigger these adverse reactions.

There is no direct translation between products. I recommend starting at 1/8th tsp of inulin if switching. Nemechek Blue inulin can be purchased here at a 10% discount for members of the Nemechek Navigator.

If a child is unable to tolerate inulin, I consider that Inulin Intolerance and recommend using a course of the prescription rifaximin to balance the intestinal tract. Members of the Nemechek Navigator can purchase Nemechek Blue inulin here at a 10% discount.