Image: Aptagrow
When my son Aarav’s preschool teacher mentioned he seemed to tire quickly and had trouble focusing during story time, I brushed it off. He’s active! He eats well!
But I couldn’t ignore what I’d been noticing—irregular bathroom trips, occasional tummy complaints, and yes, he was the smallest in his class. One evening, scrolling through a parenting group, I saw a post that stopped me cold: “Is your child eating well but not thriving? The problem might not be nutrition—it might be absorption.”
A Conversation That Changed Everything
I messaged my friend Priya, whose son had similar issues last year. Over chai the next day, she explained something I’d never considered.
“Aarav’s gut might not be absorbing nutrients properly,” she said. “My Arjun was the same—eating well but struggling. Then I learned about prebiotics. They’re like fertilizer for good bacteria in the gut. She explained that gut health affects everything—immunity, brain development, even growth. The gut and brain are constantly communicating. If the gut isn’t healthy, overall growth and development is hampered.
“Think about it,” she continued. “Calcium for bones, iron for development, DHA for brain health—all these need adequate absorption to work optimally. A healthy gut supports absorption (1)*.
Suddenly, Aarav’s focus issues, tiredness, slower growth, and frequent colds made sense. They weren’t separate problems—they all stemmed from his gut not functioning optimally(2)*.
Understanding the Connection
I researched that night. The gut contains trillions of bacteria—good and bad. Good bacteria break down food, produce vitamins, and send signals to the brain. Studies show prebiotics help the body absorb calcium and iron better(3)* , support immune function (70% of immune cells are in the gut! 4*), and impact brain development (5)*.
In toddlers, where the brain is developing rapidly, this connection is crucial. But most diets don’t include enough prebiotics and micronutrients, and getting a picky three-year-old to eat them regularly? Nearly impossible.
Priya had found a nutrition drink that focused on absorption, not just adding nutrients. “It’s called AptaGrow, from Europe’s No.1 infant nutrition company. What made the difference was their Nutri-absorb formula*with prebiotics.”
Making the Change
The formula contains GOS and FOS—prebiotics that feed good bacteria and enhance absorption of iron and calcium. It had 37 essential nutrients: DHA, iron, and iodine for brain development; calcium, vitamin K2, and vitamin D for bone growth; vitamins A, C, zinc, and iron for immunity.
But what convinced me was the focus on making the body actually use those nutrients. Better gut health leads to better absorption, which leads to better growth and development.
Thankfully, Aarav liked the chocolate flavor. I mixed 3 scoops with 200ml of warm milk every morning—simple, no fuss.
The Transformation*
Within two weeks, his bathroom routine normalized. No more tummy complaints. By the first month, his teacher mentioned he was more engaged during activities and playing longer without getting tired.
His energy steadied throughout the day. His frequency of cold decreased. Six months later, the difference is undeniable. He’s more focused, engaged, and has grown noticeably. His immunity has improved—we made it through the monsoon without a single sick day. Those tummy troubles? Gone.
What I Learned
If your child is eating well but not thriving, it might be about absorption, not food quantity. A healthy gut is the foundation for immunity, brain development, and growth.
Understanding the gut-brain-growth connection made all the difference. The prebiotics improved gut health, the 37 nutrients provided what his body needed, and the ***Nutri-absorb formula ensured those nutrients (Calcium, iron, Magnesium, Zinc) were actually absorbed.
It’s not about feeding more. It’s about ensuring the body can use what’s already there. And for us, that understanding changed everything.
Reference
1*Ref – Bielik V, Kolisek M. et al, Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(13):6803
2* ref – Sarkar A, et al; J Clin Med. 2021;10(3):459
3* Ref – Scholz-Ahrens, K. E., et al, (2001). Effects of prebiotics on mineral metabolism. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 73(2), 459s-464s.
4* Ref – Wiertsema SP et al, Nutrients. 2021;13(3):886.
5* Sal-Sarria S et al, Behav Brain Res. 2025; 495:115789
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