What is Bifidobacterium?

Bifidobacterium is a genus of gram-positive bacteria that naturally inhabit the human gut. These bacteria are considered beneficial for their ability to ferment dietary fibers and produce short-chain fatty acids, which can have numerous health benefits. Some of the most commonly studied Bifidobacterium strains include:

• Bifidobacterium bifidum
• Bifidobacterium breve
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Bifidobacterium longum
• Bifidobacterium longum. Sub infantis
• Bifidobacterium animalis

Here are some potential benefits of Bifidobacterium:

• Improved digestive health: Bifidobacterium can help improve gut motility, reduce inflammation, and prevent gastrointestinal infections (1, 2).
• Enhanced immune function: Some strains of Bifidobacterium can help regulate the immune system by increasing the production of certain antibodies and reducing inflammation (3, 4).
• Reduced risk of allergies: Bifidobacterium supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy has been associated with a reduced risk of eczema and other allergic conditions (5, 6).
• Improved mental health: Some studies have found that certain strains of Bifidobacterium can improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression (7, 8).
• Lowered risk of chronic disease: Bifidobacterium may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer (9, 10).

References:

1. Plaza-Diaz, J., et al. (2017). "Beneficial effects of probiotics on the maturation of immune response and intestinal permeability in preterm infants." Neonatology, 112(3), 237-244.
2. Martín, R., et al. (2010). "Functional characterization of Bifidobacterium strains isolated from breast milk." Journal of Dairy Research, 77(3), 335-343.
3. Kato, K., et al. (2014). "Oral administration of Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 suppresses total and antigen-specific immunoglobulin E production in mice." Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 37(10), 1610-1615.
4. Li, M., et al. (2021). "Bifidobacterium adolescentis Exerts Strain-Specific Effects on Immune Responses in Mice." Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 632335.
5. Azad, M. B., et al. (2013). "Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy or infancy for the prevention of asthma and wheeze: systematic review and meta-analysis." BMJ, 347, f6471.
6. Kalliomaki, M., et al. (2001). "Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomised placebo-controlled trial." Lancet, 357(9262), 1076-1079.
7. Allen, A. P., et al. (2016). "Bifidobacterium longum 1714 as a translational psychobiotic: modulation of stress, electrophysiology and neurocognition in healthy volunteers." Translational Psychiatry, 6(11), e939.
8. Schmidt, K., et al. (2015). "Prebiotic intake reduces the waking cortisol response and alters emotional bias in healthy volunteers." Psychopharmacology, 232(10), 1793-1801.
9. Delzenne, N. M., et al. (2011). "Functional foods and gut microbiota." Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 14(6), 4.
10. O’Keefe, S. J. D., et al. (2015). "Fat, fibre and cancer