A probiotic supplement is as good as the bacteria that it is based upon. Most quality products contain bifidobacterium lactis. This probiotic delivers an array of health benefits to the table, which is why it’s preferred by most supplement manufacturers.

Bifidobacterium Lactis: An Overview

Bifidobacterium lactis (sometimes called bifidobacterium animalis) is a transient probiotic that lives in the intestines and the colon. There, it forms colonies of great numbers and it regulates the gastrointestinal flora.

Most often, bifidobacterium lactis is found in dairy products. If you don’t consume large quantities of yogurt or kefir, you can provide your body with the beneficial bacteria through the selection of the right probiotic supplement.

Bifidobacterium lactis is one of the most carefully studied probiotics. Researchers have found out that it affects health in a number of positive ways.

Health Benefits

When it comes to versatility, no other probiotic can compete with bifidobacterium lactis. For a start, it strengthens the immune system. The bacteria is so beneficial that it can even strengthen the body’s natural defenses in the elderly and other people who are more susceptible to infections.

One clinical study was presented in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2000. The study involved 12 control subjects and 13 test subjects. The control subjects consumed low fat and low lactose milk while the test subjects were given a milk supplement that contained bifidobacterium lactis.

The experiment continued for a period of six weeks. The people who were given bifidobacterium lactis had higher levels of interferon-alpha – a substance that enhances the proliferation of white blood cells responsible for protecting the body against pathogens.

On top of that, bifidobacterium lactis reduces colon inflammation. The condition is also called colitis and it most often results from toxic buildup in the digestive tract. Bifidobacterium lactis helps for the elimination of this toxic waste and it also controls the colonies of harmful bacteria in the colon.

These are just two of the main bifidobacterium lactis benefits. Several other health advantages worth mentioning include the following:

• Reduced lactose intolerance
• Reduced intestinal permeability (also known as leaky gut syndrome)
• Reduced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Enhanced oral health and reduced risk of cavities caused by bacteria in the mouth
• Inhibition of h. pylori, which causes the formation of ulcers
• Decreased allergy symptoms
• Reduced inflammation
• Decreased levels of bad cholesterol and an enhancement in good cholesterol levels

Dosage, Side Effects And Other Concerns

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are naturally found in an array of fermented foods, as well as in the human body. Because of these characteristics, the consumption of foods containing probiotics and taking a supplement are both considered safe.

According to researchers, bifidobacterium lactis supplementation is also safe in children.

The right dosage depends on the type of medical condition you’re trying to overcome through bifidobacterium lactis supplementation. If you suffer from IBS, about one billion colony forming units (CFUs) will be required on a daily basis.

When it comes to getting rid of h. pylori, you’ll need to up the dose and opt for a supplement that contains about five million CFU.

Talk to your doctor if you’d like a dosage suggestion for the treatment of a problem through bifidobacterium lactis supplementation. Alternatively, stick to the recommendations provided by the manufacturer of the supplement you’re opting for.

There isn’t an awful lot of information about interaction between bifidobacteria and medications. One thing to keep in mind is that bifidobacterium lactis will be destroyed by an antibiotic.

Unfortunately, such medications don’t discriminate between good and bad bacteria. Probiotic supplementation immediately after the end of the antibiotic treatment will be the best thing to do.