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Bifidobacteria

Bifidobacteria are a group of bacteria that normally live in the digestive tract. They can also be cultivated outside the body and taken orally as medicine. Bifidobacteria are used for many conditions that affect the digestive tract. This includes the prevention of diarrhea in babies and children and the prevention of traveler's diarrhea in adults. Some people take bifidobacteria to restore the "good bacteria" in the digestive tract that have been killed or removed by diarrhea, radiation, chemotherapy, antibiotics or other causes. Bifidobacteria are used both to treat an intestinal condition called ulcerative colitis and to treat a condition called pouchitis, which sometimes develops after surgery for ulcerative colitis. Some people use bifidobacteria to prevent a certain intestinal infection in newborns called necrotizing enteropathy. Other uses of bifidobacteria include treating atopic dermatitis, yeast infections, the common cold, influenza, breast pain (mastitis), hepatitis, lactose intolerance, mumps, Lyme disease and cancer, as well as reducing flu-like symptoms in children. These bacteria are also used to improve immune system function and lower cholesterol levels.

How effective are bifidobacteria?

Bifidobacteria may be effective for:

  • Preventing infection of the inner lining of the intestines by bacteria (necrotizing enteropathy) when used in conjunction with another bacterium called Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
  • The prevention of diarrhea in children (retroviral diarrhea) when used in conjunction with a bacterium called Streptococcus Thermophilus.
  • Prevention of traveler's diarrhea when used in conjunction with other bacteria such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus or Streptococcus Thermophilus.
  • The treatment of atopic eczema in young children.
  • The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Preventing complications after surgery for ulcerative colitis, known as pouchitis.
  • Reducing the side effects of treatment for an infection with Heliobacter bacteria.
  • The treatment of ulcerative colitis. Some research suggests that taking a specific combination product containing bifidobacteria, lactobacillus and streptococcus may help to control symptoms and prevent recurrence.
  • The treatment of lung infections. Some research suggests that taking a specific combination product containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria (HOWARU Protect) together with milk in children could help reduce symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose and reduce the amount of antibiotics needed. This product could also reduce the duration of symptoms and thus reduce the number of days of illness.

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of bifidobacteria for colds and flu, liver problems, high cholesterol levels, lactose intolerance, breast pain due to infections (mastitis), mumps, cancer, stomach problems, chemotherapy or Lyme disease. The same applies to their use to replace friendly bacteria removed from the intestine through diarrhea and to slow down aging.

As for the treatment of antibiotic-induced diarrhea, there are some studies that conclude that bifidobacteria are effective for this application, while other studies do not support this statement. Some preliminary scientific research suggests that taking a specific bifidobacterium (Yakult) can reduce constipation in children between the ages of 3 and 16. There is also preliminary evidence that antibiotic-resistant Bifidobacterium longum may improve short-term survival rates in the treatment of radiation sickness. In combination with antibiotics, bifidobacteria also appear to help prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria that can cause dangerous infections. For all of the uses mentioned in this section, further scientific research is needed to determine the effectiveness of bifidobacteria.

How do bifidobacteria work?

Bifidobacteria belong to a group of bacteria known as lactic acid bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria are found in fermented foods such as yogurt and cheese. Bifidobacteria are used as so-called probiotics - the opposite of antibiotics. They are considered so-called "friendly" bacteria and are ingested to grow and multiply where they would normally be found. The human body counts on its normal bacteria to perform certain tasks, which include breaking down food, helping the body absorb nutrients and preventing a "takeover" by bad bacteria.

Probiotics such as bifidobacteria are typically used in cases where disease is occurring or could occur due to the death of normal bacteria. Treatment with antibiotics, for example, can destroy both pathogenic and normal bacteria in the digestive tract and urinary tract. The theory is that taking probiotics containing bifidobacteria during treatment with antibiotics may prevent or minimize the death of good bacteria, thereby counteracting takeover by bad bacteria.

Are there any safety concerns?

Bifidobacteria are likely to be safe and harmless in adults and children when used appropriately. In some people, treatment with bifidobacteria can cause stomach and intestinal discomfort such as bloating and flatulence.

Special precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of bifidobacteria during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should err on the side of caution and avoid bifidobacteria.

Weakened immune system: There are concerns that probiotics may grow too well and cause infections in people with weakened immune systems. Although this has not yet been observed specifically with bifidobacteria, there are rare cases with other probiotics such as lactobacillus. If you suffer from a weakened immune system, such as HIV infection or cancer treatment, you should consult your doctor before using bifidobacteria.

Are there any interactions with medication?

You should be careful when using bifidobacteria in combination with the following medications:

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are often used to reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the body, but antibiotics can also decimate the friendly bacteria in the body. Bifidobacteria are among the friendly bacteria. Taking antibiotics in combination with bifidobacteria can reduce the effectiveness of bifidobacteria. To prevent this, bifidobacteria should be taken at least 2 hours before or after taking antibiotics.

Are there any interactions with medicinal plants or supplements?

There are no known interactions with medicinal plants or supplements.

Are there any interactions with food?

There are no known interactions with food.

Recommended intake

The strength of bifidobacteria products is usually indicated by the number of live bacteria per dosage. The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

  • For the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: 1 billion cells of Bifidobacterium Infantis daily in a malted drink.

  • For lung infections in children: 120 ml of milk containing 5 billion colony-forming units each of Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium twice daily.

  • For chronic pouchitis: a dosage consisting of 600 billion bacteria of the species Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus once a day.

  • For Helicobacter Pylori treatment: a dosage of 5 billion bacteria consisting of Bifidobacterium Lactis and Lactobacillus Acidophilus once a day.

  • For constipation: 1-100 billion cells of a specific Bifidobacterium Breve powder once a day.

  • For ulcerative colitis:

    • 100 ml of a specific fermented milk product containing at least 10 billion live Bifidobacterium Breve, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, and Lactobacillus Acidophilus bacteria per serving.
    • 3 grams of a specific combined probiotic product containing live freeze-dried Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus bacteria twice daily.

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