While some bacteria can make you very ill, probiotic bacteria can restore and maintain good health. Bifidus Regularis and Acidophilus are two "good" bacteria species added to pro-biotic products. In the U.S., probiotic products found in yogurt and other foods are considered dietary supplements, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission limits the claims these products can make without scientific research. Consult with your physician about the potential health benefits of eating pro-biotic products.
Acidophilus
Acidophilus is a member of the Lactobacillus genus of bacteria. The name "Acidophilus" means acid-loving. Lactobacillus acidophilus is found naturally in the human gastrointestinal tract. The bacteria ferment, or break down, milk sugar lactose as an energy source. Lactose fermentation, in turn, produces lactic acid. While Acidophilus bacteria can survive in an acidic environment, such conditions may inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in your bowels.
Bifidus Regularis
Like Acidophilus, species of Bifidobacterium animalis are found naturally in the human intestine. Bifidus Regularis is the registered trademark name of the bacteria that the Dannon company uses in the U.S. for a sub-species of the bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis labeled DN-173 010. Other names used for DN-173 010 include Bifidus Actiregularis, Bifidus Digestivum, Bifidobacterium Lactis ,Bifidus Actiregularis, Bifidus Regularis, Bifidus Digestivum, Bifidobacterium Lactis and DanRegularis. Bifidus Regularis lowers abnormal levels of harmful bacteria in your bowels by producing chemicals to inhibit bacterial growth, thus stimulating your immune system to prevent the bacteria from getting a foothold on your bowel wall.
GI Survivability
Probiotic products serve no purpose if they cannot deliver live and active bacteria to your large intestine. While some species of Lactobacillus are destroyed, Acidophilus can survive the trip past stomach enzymes and acid, and through the small intestine's bile salts and proteolytic enzymes. Likewise, not all subspecies of Bifidobacterium animalis can survive the trek to the bowels in large numbers. A 2005 study published in "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics," found that the subspecies Bifidus Regularis does reach the large intestine in sufficient quantities to function as a probiotic.
Uses
According to the National Institutes of Health, Bifidobacterium-containing probiotics are "possibly effective for" atopic eczema in infants, pouchitis caused by surgery for ulcerative colitis and Heliobacter antibiotic treatment side effects. In addition, probiotics that combine Bifidobacterium with Acidophilus and other probiotic species may effectively treat traveler's diarrhea, rotovirus in infants, necrotizing enterorcolitism and lung infections.
NIH also states that Lactobacillus acidophilus may by helpful in treating various types of diarrhea in children due to rotavirus or antibiotics, colic and irritable bowel syndrome, the diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile. Since Lactobacillus acidophilus is found naturally in the vagina, it may help treat bacterial vaginosis.
References
- Federal Trade Commission; Dannon Agrees to Drop Exaggerated Health Claims for Activia Yogurt and DanActive Dairy Drink; December 2010
- Activia: How Can Activia Help Me
- MedlinePlus; Lactobacillus; August 2011
- "Immunology and Cell Biology"; Survival and Therapeutic Potential of Probiotic Organisms with Reference to Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp.; Kaila Kailasapathy, James Chin; 2000
- "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Bifidobacteria as Probiotic Agents -- Physiological Effects and Clinical Benefits; C. Picard, et al.; September 2005
- MedlinePlus; Bifidobacteria; August 2011
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