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Bifidobacterium Infantis
INTRODUCTION
Consumers today have become increasingly aware
of the number of natural, dietary supplements
available on the market that contain “good”
bacteria known as probiotics. These products are
becoming more desirable as consumers learn of
the health benefits associated with these types
of supplements. Recent reports indicate that
probiotic supplements containing Bifidobacterium
infantis may help reduce the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome in women (IBS).(1)
BIFIDOBACTERIUM INFANTIS
Bifidobacterium infantis is a probiotic
bacterium that inhabits the intestines of both
infants and adults. This type of bacteria is
considered beneficial because of the acids it
produces. The acids produced by Bifidobacterium
infantis may help impede the growth or
colonization of harmful bacteria within the
colon.(3) According to Medical News Today,
Bifidobacterium infantis is “normal, friendly
bacteria [that] play an important role in basic
digestion, proper metabolism and overall
well-being. [Bifidobacterium infantis] works
within the digestive system to restore
intestinal balance and maintain normal digestive
health.”(1) According to to a study sponsored by
P&G Health Sciences Institute and published in
the American Journal of Gastroenterology,
Bifidobacterium infantis may be beneficial to
those that suffer from symptoms of irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS) including bloating, gas,
diarrhea, constipation, urgency and abdominal
discomfort.(2)
The digestive process begins when an individual
chews food, thereby breaking it down into
smaller food particles that are more susceptible
to digestive enzymes. This breakdown not only
makes the food more susceptible to digestive
enzymes but it also allows the food particles to
travel more easily through the digestive
tract.(4) The large intestine has a high number
of microbes present that help complete the
process of food digestion. Microbes are tiny,
living organisms usually too small to be seen
with the naked eye and are also commonly
referred to as microorganisms. These microbes or
microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi,
algae, and protozoa.(5) Bifidobatcerium infantis,
which is a bacteria, falls into the microbe or
microorganism category. Bifidobacterium infantis
is considered a “good” or beneficial bacterial.
According to some research “there are advantages
in skewing the balance of bacteria toward
beneficial ones...[because] the metabolic end
products of their growth are organic acids
(lactic and acetic acids) that tend to lower the
pH of the intestinal contents, creating
conditions less desirable for harmful
bacteria.”(4) For these reasons, Bifidobacterium
infantis may help provide relief to individuals
suffering from IBS symptoms.
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
According to the National Digestive Diseases
Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) approximately
one in five adults living in the U.S. experience
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
which makes this condition one of the most
commonly diagnosed disorders.(6) Some doctors
have theorized that IBS is caused by “a colon,
or large intestine, that is particularly
sensitive and reactive to certain foods and
stress. The immune system, which fights
infection, may also be involved.”(6) An
increased presence of “good” bacteria can assist
the body's immune system in fighting infection
and illness. Because Bifidobacterium infantis is
a beneficial bacteria, also known as a
probiotic, it could be theorized that increasing
the amount of Bifidobacterium infantis may help
build the body's natural defense mechanisms. In
this way, an increase in the amount of
Bifidobacterium infantis in the large intestine
may help relieve the symptoms of IBS.
CONCLUSION
“It has been established through controlled
scientific investigations that probiotics
ingested in certain numbers exert health affects
beyond inherent basic nutrition.”(1) Therefore,
individual's suffering from IBS and other types
of digestive disorders may want to include in
their diet a regimen of Bifidobacterium infantis.
While “research still is being conducted on how
probiotic cultures may influence a wide-range of
health conditions,”(1) a body of scientific
evidence does exist to provide proof of the
potential health benefits of Bifidobacterium
infantis and other supplemental probiotics.
References:
1. New Study Demonstrates That Bifantis(TM) (Bifidobacterium
Infantis 35624) Offers Relief For Women With
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, published by Medical
News Today, July 2006
2. Efficacy of an Encapsulated Probiotic
Bifidobacterium Infantis 35624 in Women with
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, published in the
American Journal of Gastroenterology, July 2006
3. Bifidobacterium Infantis, published by
igonutrition.com, March 2009
4. Sanders, M.E. (2007). Probiotic Basics,
usprobiotics.org
5. What are Microbes? The Microbe World,
published by Southern Kings Consolidated School,
unknown
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, published by
National Digestive Diseases Information
Clearinghouse, September 2007
************************************
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