Bifidobacterium - Probiotic SuperStar

You'll find them in many of the fermented milk products such as yogurts and villi.

And, given the right food, the bacteria already in our gut will increase so we can effectively "grow our own". Obviously this means you have to have a few Bifidobacteria already in your gastrointestinal tract to start with.

Nondigestible carbohydrates (NDCHs) are fermented in the colon, where they will selectively promote the growth of bifidobacteria. So by eating plenty of non-digestible carbohydrates you can naturally increase your supply of these helpful bacteria but do remember to increase your fiber slowly or you will end up with a distended bowel and very bad flatulence!

And nobody wants that!!

To learn even more about these wonderful probiotics visit Bifidobacterium

Bifidobacterium are a large family of bacteria.

The commonest of the species found in humans include Bifidobacterium longum, B infantis, B breve, B bifidum, B adolescentis and B pseudocatenulatum.

Bifidobacterium animalis is a good probiotic commonly used in supplements.

Bifidobacterium are also found in animals and include B animalis, B pseudolongum and B thermophilus

The species that are found in animal are rarely found in the human gastrointestinal tract and conversely, the human species are almost never found in animal.

Although Bifidobacteria are only a small percentage of the total bacteria in adults, their presence is associated with many beneficial health effects such as immune enhancement, the prevention of diarrhea and reduction of lactose intolerance.

As well, they assist with both vitamin and protein synthesis, assist in digestion and absorption, prevent colonization of bad bacteria, and stimulate the immune response.

Some strains have been successful in either treating or helping with diarrhea in infants, necrotizing enterocolitis (in infants), traveler's diarrhea, IBS, atopic eczema, pouchitis, ulcerative colitis and Helicobacter pylori. You can see from that list that most of the health problems where it has shown to be of use are to do with gastrointestinal tract.

All in all, you have to agree that the Bifidobacteria family are a most useful bacteria.

REMEMBER

Antibiotics severely affect the populations of all strains of Bifidobacteria!