Bifidobacterium infantis is one of the good bacteria strains belonging to the bifidobacterium family of probiotics that has been known to benefit the intestinal tract specifically the large intestine.
Bifidobacterium infantis is actually a kind of lactic acid bacteria that is commonly found in fermented foods such as probiotic yogurts, drinks as well as cheese.
It is a micro-organism that lives in the gut of healthy humans. Both kids and adults benefit from its existence greatly as these bacteria helps keep the digestive system running optimally. It aids in the digestion and breaking down of foods that we eat as well as helping in the absorption of vital nutrients into our body.
Not only does it aids in digestion and absorption of nutrients, it also helps fight off the “bad bacteria” that are harmful to health, specifically in the digestive tracts. These harmful bacteria are the main causes of stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting and even high fever.
Bifidobacterium Infantis
Many researchers also believe that Irritable Bowel Syndrome or simply IBS which affects some 20% of the adult population in America can be eliminated, if not reduced simply by incorporating bifidobacterium infantis products into their diet.
Like other probiotics which produce acids that may stunt the growth of other harmful microorganisms like bad bacteria and their colonies, these probiotics creates a highly acidic environment in the intestinal tract with the release of substances such as lactic acid, acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The acidic environment created is not only hostile towards the existing harmful bacteria; it also stuns for the growth of harmful yeasts.
Many of these bad bacteria cannot survive in this kind of environment and they quickly die off. As they die, these bifidobacterium bacteria then dominates the digestive system thereby keeping the host healthy. They can also control the population of those bad bacteria by fight for their common foods as well as for their habitats (also known as prebiotics). As such, maintaining a balance of the population of these probiotics is crucial for our overall health.
Besides the intestines, the bifidobacterium strain of probiotics such as bifidobacterium longum and bifidobacterium lactis can also be found in the vaginal tract too.
Benefits of Bifidobacterium Infantis Combined With Other Strains
Researchers have found that the presence of Bifidobacterium infantis in the intestinal tract greatly reduces intestinal infection, diarrhea and even constipation. In fact, studies have also found that these probiotics can also help young children ward off cold especially when combined with lactobacillus acidophillus strain. It has been proven that these combined probiotics greatly benefit the health and well-being of the host. There are even some combined positive bifidobacterium infantis side effects too as these good bacteria strains have been found to have the ability to produce synthetic version of vitamin B complex that help in promoting the absorption of calcium into the body.
Another evident benefit of bifidobacterium Infantis probiotic is its usage in patients who are undergoing prolonged antibiotic treatments. As antibiotic is used to kill off the disease causing bacteria in human, even the good bacteria that normally exists in the digestive tracts, and urinary tracts are eliminated at the same time exposing the patients to other health risks and problems at the same time.
It is believed that the use of bifidobacterium probiotics can help minimize the death of these good bacteria as well as to prevent take-over by the bad bacteria and yeast during treatment with antibiotic courses.
Sources Of Bifidobacterium Infantis
One can obtain these bifidobacterium infantis bacteria through the intake of probiotic supplements which can come in many forms such as in foods and drinks like probiotic yogurt, yogurt drinks as well as in other forms like pills. In fact, regular intake of probiotic supplements has been found to be an effective way to boost the immune system too.
As many of us have long relied on taking antibiotics for even the slightest problem, that may lead to a state of antibiotic resistance in the long run. Therefore, it would be better and wiser if we could substitute antibiotics with probiotics instead. Taking probiotic supplements that contain especially the bifidobacterium strains is not only natural, but is also very safe. Other less commonly heard strains of bifidobacterium family strains that are beneficial to human health include bifidobacterium bifidum, lactentis and liberorum.
Read Next : Synergizing Probiotics With Prebiotics.
That video discussing bifidobacteria and stomach help is excellent, very informative when it comes to the health of infants.