Bifidobacterium infantis

Bifidobacterium infantis is one of the primary inhabitant of the digestive tract of newborn infants.

Babies are born with a sterile gut but quickly develop their own population of bacteria acquired during the birthing process and then from their mother's milk and other food sources.

Over recent years, a theory called the "hygiene hypothesis" proposes that the increase in allergic diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and atopic rhinitis in many developed countries is through the lack of early exposure to bacteria.

A scientific study showed a clear difference between the numbers of Bifidobacterium infantis in the feces of babies in Ghana (where there is a low occurence of allergic diseases) and in the feces of children born in more affluent countries (where there are high rates of allergies). It is clear that the bifidobacterial species to which the immune systems of the children were exposed in early life were different in Ghana than in more developed countries¹.

These differences in bacteria type were explained through differences in hospital deliveries, cesarean sections, special-care baby unit admissions, smaller family size, widespread use of antibiotics, good hygiene, and differences in maternal diet in affluent countries compared to Ghana.

And whilst all these "improvements" should be good things, it is clear that they are a double edged sword.

Somewhere along the way we are losing our populations of good bacteria as we strive to avoid the bad.

Bifidobacterium infantis is vital for the health of babies when the foundations of a healthy immune system is being built. Obviously, if a mother is lacking this good bacteria then she will not be passing sufficient numbers of it on to her baby.

As one of the scientistts stated: "Either the lack of exposure of babies to particular bifidobacterial species or elimination of bifidobacterial species from the gut through the use of antibiotics, or both, might alter the exposure of children to important bacterial antigens at a critical time in the maturation of the immune system."¹

And the effect of Bifidobacterium infantis - or a lack of it - continues on through life.

One strain of this useful bacteria has shown to be of extra value.

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624

In a 2009 review of scientific studies on IBS probiotic treatment, Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 showed significant improvement in the composite score for abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating/distention, and/or bowel movement difficulty².

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 has been shown to prevent invasion of the gut lining by one of the bacteria thought to be responsible for inflammatory bowel conditions such as IBS and reduced inflammation in the gut.³

In this study the relief of IBS symptoms was comparable to that seen with well-known drugs but without the side effects.

The scientis stated: "The deliberate consumption of one commensal organism, Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, resulted in the induction of Treg cells which protected the host from excessive inflammation during the course of infection as evidenced by reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production, reduced T cell proliferation, reduced dendritic cell co-stimulatory molecule expression."3

It is clear that Bifidobacterium infantis is an important good bacteria for babies and also for those with IBS and gastrointestinal problems.

Where can I buy B infantis?

ADULTS

Align Digestive Care. 35624 strain

VSL #3 Capsules (60 caps) unspecified strain

FOR BABIES AND INFANTS

Natren Life Start B Infantis NLS strain

REFERENCES

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