Bifidobacteria are a group of anaerobic lactic acid bacteria that commonly colonize the gastrointestinal tract and the vagina. They are one of the main bacteria present in the colon of adult humans, and along with Lactobacillus, they make up a majority of the gut flora. In breastfed infants on the other hand, Bifidobacteria alone actually make up the majority of the gut flora. Because of this, it is this genus of bacteria that are most commonly used in infant probiotics, although they are frequently found in well-balanced adult probiotics as well. For more information on probiotics, please click here.

Digestive Health
Much like other probiotics, Bifidobacteria can have a number of health benefits. They can treat a wide variety of intestinal disorders, and promote proper digestion. This particular genus of bacteria has also been associated with lower risk of diarrhea when supplemented during antibiotic treatment. This effect was particularly seen in infants. It can also help to prevent other conditions of the intestines caused by radiation, chemotherapy, and autoimmunity such as Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). Bifidobacteria are also associated with protection against Traveller's Diarrhea, and can also be used in treatment of this condition as well.

Skin and Lung Health - Allergies
Likely because of their role in helping to heal the gut and improve gut integrity, Bifidobacteria can also help to improve allergic conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. There is some preliminary research suggesting that Bifidobacteria may be able to directly inhibit allergic reactions by creating immune tolerance, but further research is required. Supplementation has also been shown to help speed children's recovery from respiratory infections.

Anti-Cancer
Some species of Bifidobacteria have been shown to alter enzymes in the body that can cause the production of carcinogens (cancer causing substances), which helps to reduce their function. This can help to prevent the formation of certain tumours in humans.

TYPES OF BIFIDOBACTERIA
There are a number of different species of Bifidobacteria that can each have unique effects in addition to the common ones listed above. Each species can also have a large number of different strains that may have slightly different effects, but that is beyond the scope of this article.

B. bifidum
This particular species is commonly found in the human digestive tract and in the vagina in women. It has been found to help protect against infection in the gut by pathological ("bad") bacteria. It has also been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of vaginitis in women. In addition, these bacteria help to synthesize B vitamins in the gut and help to convert vitamin K to its active K2 form. For more information on vitamin K, please click here.

B. breve
This bacterium is one of the more static species in the gut, and once it gets established, it can have a number of health benefits. Healthy individuals have gut flora consisting of at least 10% Bifidobacterium breve. This is also the form of Bifidobacteria that makes up the vast majority of the gut flora in infants. This species of bacteria is often used to protect against a serious condition in newborns called necrotizing enterocolitis. It is through the base colonization of the gut that B. breve helps to protect the gut against infection, particularly E. coli infection. This helps to reduce the occurrence of diarrhea and even of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). It is this particular species that is also able to protect the vagina against infection, particularly against Candida, thus protecting against Vaginal Yeast Infections in women.

B. infantis
This particular probiotic produces a wide variety of B vitamins in larger concentrations than most other species of Bifidobacteria. Supplementation with some specific strains of B. infantis (35624) has been associated with relief of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It is also one of the main strains found in the pharmaceutical probiotic formula known as VSL#3, which has been shown to help in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). Despite its name, B. infantis is actually commonly found in the digestive tracts of both adults and children.

B. lactis / B. animalis
This particular species of Bifidobacterium mainly establishes itself in the colon. One of these is the probiotic found in some Danone yogurt products touted for their regulatory benefits to Digestive Health. This type of bacteria has been found to speed digestive transit time in healthy adults.

B. longum
These bacteria are renowned for all of the benefits associated with Bifidobacteria listed above. It has also been shown to have excellent anti-cancer benefits, including protecting DNA against mutation, and potentially directly acting against tumour cells. These results have only been shown in rodents to date, so further research is required, but the implications are intriguing for the future treatment of cancer, particularly colon cancer. This is also another species of bacteria that is commonly used to help treat vaginal dysbiosis and vaginal infections.

How can I get more Bifidobacteria?
Initially our gut is seeded with these probiotic bacteria through our mother's breast milk soon after we are born. After we finish breastfeeding, it becomes necessary for us to get these bacteria from other sources. Supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic is often the best way to boost our intake of Bifidobacteria. The dosage required for these bacteria is the same as other probiotics, and the greatest beneficial effect often occurs when they are all supplemented together. This is likely due to the fact that a vast diversity of microorganisms is the natural state in our digestive tracts. In general, probiotics are initially dosed at higher amounts for 4-6 weeks at a dose of 10 billion or more cells daily. Later, maintenance doses can be as little as 2- 4 billion cells daily. In each case, these beneficial gut bacteria should be supplemented with food to allow them safe passage into the digestive tract. For more information on probiotics, please click here. When dosing children, the strain ratios and dosages will be different than those for adults. It may be best to purchase products targeted at your child's age range. In order to treat vaginal conditions, probiotics can be supplemented orally (by mouth) or can be provided in suppositories that can directly affect the local vaginal populations. For more information on vaginal probiotics, please click here.