Bifidus, the shortened name of a bacterial genus, Bifidobacteria, is a type or normal bacteria that lives in the large intestine. It carries out a variety of effects, including production of acids and breaking down sugars, that cannot be done by the intestine. Tablets containing of several species of Bifidobacteria, including B. breve, B. bifidum, B. lactis and B. longum are marketed as "probiotics." The most well known and only scientifically verified effect of probiotics is to reduce diarrhea in patients taking antibiotics. The bacteria are thought to have a variety of other beneficial effects as well but still have to be verified by more studies.
Function of Intestinal Bacteria
The large intestine is lined by bacteria. Most of these bacteria carry out a number of functions that intestinal cells are unable to do. In normal amounts, these bacteria do not cause any disease. These bacteria may break down sugars and produce acids and reactions that human cells cannot do. They form a symbiotic relationship with the intestinal cells. Sometimes, these "friendly" bacteria are lost. This most frequently happens in people taking antibiotics as these drugs can destroy the normal bacteria.
Restore Intestinal Balance
The most commonly touted benefit of probiotics is in the treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is most commonly seen with drugs such as amoxicillin and ampicillin. This diarrhea is due to the antibiotic effect on the normal intestinal bacteria. The claim that probiotics can reduce diarrhea has been established in a number of studies. For example, a study published in 2002 in the "British Medical Journal" found that probiotics reduced the incidence of diarrhea in patients who were taking amoxicillin and allowed for faster recovery of normal intestinal bacteria.
Cholesterol-Lowering Effect
Some evidence suggests that probiotics such as bifidus may have a cholesterol-lowering effect. However, the reason by which this occurs is not yet clear. Scientists are also determining the dosage of these bacteria that is needed to achieve this effect. Whether this effect actually occurs, however, remains controversial. One study, for example, published in 2011 in the "Journal of Dairy Science" found that diabetics taking regular yoghurt, which contains several probiotic bacteria, were found have slight decreases in cholesterol.
Colon Cancer
Some recent studies have suggested that probiotics may prevent colon cancer; however, this has not been shown in humans. A study published in 2010 in the "Proceedings of the Nutrition Society" found that mice being fed fermented milk had a decreased growth of colon cancers. More information is needed before this result can be established in humans.
Other Possible Benefits
Bifidobacteria have been postulated to have a number of other beneficial effects. According to a 2010 article in the "Hong Kong Medical Journal," some other postulated effects of probiotics include preventing dental caries, reducing stomach or urinary infections and prevent hepatic encephalopathy. As the article notes, further studies are needed to confirm the validity of these claims.
References
- Probiotic.org: Bifidus
- "British Medical Journal"; Probiotics in Prevention of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhoea: Meta-Analysis; A.L. D'Souza, et al.; June 2002
- "Journal of Dairy Science"; Effect of Probiotic Yogurt Containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis on Lipid Profile in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; H.S. Ejtahed, et al.; July 2011
- "Proceedings of the Nutrition Society"; A. de Moreno de Leblanc, et al.; August 2010
- "Hong Kong Medical Journal"; Probiotics: Current Trends in the treatment of Diarrhoea; Sujatha S Narayan, et al.; 2010
- Dairy Council of California: Probiotics--Friendly Bacteria with a Host of Benefits
