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Bifidobacterium Animalis

In 2004 it was decided that Bifidobacterium animalis and Bifidobacterium lactis were more related than first thought and they were put into the same species.

This has lead to some confusion between the two. The official categorization of them is thus:- what was Bifidobacterium animalis is now Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis and what was Bifidobacterium lactis is now Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis.

Nothing too much for most of us to worry about as these two probiotics are very similar but just be aware that you might see any of these names on a probiotic supplement and it is hard to be certain exactly which one they mean unless they give the supspecies name as well.

If you're just looking for the best probiotic containing this species then Theralac is the one you want.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis

There are several probiotic strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis (eg Bb12, DN-173, Bl-04, Bi-07 and HN019) in food products and dietary supplements due to their documented health benefits and their ability to survive within both the human gastrointestinal tract and acidified dairy products².

Although they survive well, they are only rarely found in intestinal biopsy samples whereas they are frequently found in fecal samples. This suggests that they may not adhere well within the human intestinal tract⁵ but impart their beneficial effect as they pass through.

In one study of 326 children aged 3 to 5 years, twice daily consumption of a supplement containing this probiotic as well as L acidophilus NCFM reduced cold and influenza-like symptoms, as well as the incidence and duration of these winter ills³.

The use of antibiotics was reduced by 84% in the group that took both of these probiotics.

The identical strains that were used in the study are in both Theralac capsules and Easiyo yogurt. And if idea of making your own yogurt in a non-electric yogurt maker is all abit foreign to you, then read my EasiYo yogurt maker page where you'll discover how very easy it is.

What supplements is it in?

Usually the label simply calls it by it older name Bidifobacterium lactis.

My pick here is Theralac. Why? - you're getting double the bang for your dollars because Theralac contains not one strain of this good probiotic but two!.

Theralac contains 10 billion cfu of Bifidobacterium lactis-34 (also called Bl-04) AND another 3 billion cfu of B lactis Bi-07 in every capsule.

And that's not all! (I'm feeling like a TV infomercial about now!) Theralac also contain the exact strain of acidophilus that was combined with B lactis in the study mentioned above.

What food is it in?

• Easiyo yogurt Strain Bi-07

• Activia yogurt. Strain DN-173 010. This yogurt contains a different strain of this species than the EasiYo yogurt does. Some folk love Activia but others have had a bad reaction with it.

• Goodbelly probiotic drink

• some probiotic cheeses

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp animalis

This species seems to take a back seat and I am not aware of it inclusion in any supplements.

So what is the difference between these two?

I really was hoping you wouldn't ask that!

This is what one expert says: "B. animalis subsp. lactis exhibits properties such as elevated oxygen tolerance, differential growth in milk-based media, and hydrolysis of milk proteins; these properties differ from B. animalis subsp. animalis and facilitate its growth in commercial products under nonanaerobic conditions."⁴

Now you know as much as I do about the differences!

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