Bifidobacteria

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2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow
3. Take the Ulcerative Colitis Quiz

• What other names is Bifidobacteria known by?
• What is Bifidobacteria?
• How does Bifidobacteria work?
• Are there safety concerns?
• Are there any interactions with medications?
• Dosing considerations for Bifidobacteria.

What other names is Bifidobacteria known by?

B. Bifidum, B. Breve, B. Infantis, B. lactis, B. Longum, Bifido, Bifido Bacterium Longum, Bifidobacterias, Bifidobactérie, Bifidobactéries, Bifidobacterium, Bifidobacterium adolescentis; Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum; Bifidobacterium breve; Bifidobacterium infantis; Bifidobacterium lactis; Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidum, Bifidus, Bifidus Brevis, Bifidus Infantis, Bifidus Longum, Bifidobacteria Bifidus, Lactobacillus Bifidus, L. Bifidus, Probiotic, Probiotique.

What is Bifidobacteria?

Possibly Effective for...

• Prevention of a type of colitis caused by bacteria (necrotizing enterocolitis).
• Prevention of diarrhea in infants, when used with another bacterium called Streptococcus thermophilus.
• Prevention of traveler's diarrhea, when used with other bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, or Streptococcus thermophilus.
• Treating a skin condition in infants called atopic eczema.
• Inflammation of the intestines in infants.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Preventing a complication after surgery for ulcerative colitis called pouchitis.
• Reducing side effects of treatment for the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
• Ulcerative colitis. Some research suggests that taking a specific combination product containing bifidobacteria, lactobacillus and streptococcus might help induce remission and prevent relapse.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Common cold and flu (influenza); diarrhea caused by antibiotics; liver problems; high cholesterol; lactose intolerance; mastitis; mumps; cancer; stomach problems; replacing bacteria removed by diarrhea; chemotherapy; Lyme disease; preventing infections after exposure to radiation, aging, antibiotics, and other causes; and other conditions.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).