Bifidobacterium Longum

Bifidobacterium longum

Bifidobacterium longum is a very important microbe in the digestive system. These rod-shaped bacteria are located in the intestine and vagina. As one of the most beneficial bacteria in the human body, it aids in keeping the digestive and immune system working at optimal levels. The versatility of Bifidobacterium longum allows it to survive under harsh conditions such as ph fluctuations and the acidic environment of the stomach. Because of this ability, Bifidobacterium longum has been used as an active component in natural yogurts and supplements

Benefits of Bifidobacterium longum

Taking Bifidobacterium longum can give you the following proven health benefits:

Maintains a Strong Immune System

Results from two high quality studies show that Bifidobacterium longum BB536 supplementation boosts the immune function of the elderly.^[1-2] Both studies found that elderly patients who took Bifidobacterium longum BB536 supplements for 5 to 12 weeks enhanced the activity of natural killer cells, white blood cells, and other cells of their immune system.

Fights Inflammation

Bifidobacterium longum is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous studies have shown that Bifidobacterium longum supplementation in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, chronic fatigue syndrome and psoriasis resulted in a significant decrease in various inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin 1α.^[3-4] This effect was also accompanied by improvement in various symptoms and quality of life.

Fights Allergies

Results from three large clinical trials show that the intake of yogurt containing Bifidobacterium longum can help relieve symptoms of allergy. All of the participants in the three studies suffered from Japanese cedar pollinosis, a seasonal allergy caused by Japanese cedar pollen. Interestingly, all of them experienced a significant reduction in allergy symptoms including sneezing, nasal obstruction, nasal and eye itching, and watery eyes following the treatment.^[5-7]

Improves Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease, sometimes called sprue, is a condition wherein your immune system triggers an immune response in your small intestine whenever you consume gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Over time, this reaction can damage your intestinal lining and lead to malabsorption of some nutrients. Interestingly, when researchers administered 2 capsules of Bifidobacterium infantis (subspecies of Bifidobacterium longum) before meals for 3 weeks in patients with celiac disease, a significant improvement in diarrhea, abdominal bloating, fatigue, and other symptoms was observed.^[8]

Maintains Healthy Skin

Reactive skin is characterized by marked sensitivity to hot or cold environment, or to some chemicals in skin care products. This condition impairs the skin barrier’s ability to repair itself. Several lines of evidence suggest that some probiotic bacteria, particularly Bifidobacterium longum, can help modulate the immune response, suggesting that it may help improve reactive skin. In one study assessing the effects of a cream containing 10% Bifidobacterium longum extract in 66 female volunteers with reactive skin, researchers reported that clinical and self-assessment scores revealed a significant decrease in skin dryness and sensitivity to various stimuli after 29 days.^[9]

References:

1. Akatsu H, Iwabuchi N, Xiao JZ, et al. Clinical effects of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on immune function and intestinal microbiota in elderly patients receiving enteral tube feeding. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2013;37(5):631-40.
2. Namba K, Hatano M, Yaeshima T, Takase M, Suzuki K. Effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 administration on influenza infection, influenza vaccine antibody titer, and cell-mediated immunity in the elderly. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(5):939-45.
3. Groeger D, O’Mahony L, Murphy EF, et al. Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 modulates host inflammatory processes beyond the gut. Gut Microbes. 2013;4(4):325-339. doi:10.4161/gmic.25487.
4. Furrie E, Macfarlane S, Kennedy A, et al. Synbiotic therapy (Bifidobacterium longum/Synergy 1) initiates resolution of inflammation in patients with active ulcerative colitis: a randomised controlled pilot trial. Gut. 2005;54(2):242-249. doi:10.1136/gut.2004.044834.
5. Odamaki T, Xiao JZ, Iwabuchi N, et al. Influence of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 intake on faecal microbiota in individuals with Japanese cedar pollinosis during the pollen season. J Med Microbiol. 2007;56(Pt 10):1301-8.
6. Xiao JZ, Kondo S, Yanagisawa N, et al. Clinical efficacy of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum for the treatment of symptoms of Japanese cedar pollen allergy in subjects evaluated in an environmental exposure unit. Allergol Int. 2007;56(1):67-75.
7. Xiao JZ, Kondo S, Yanagisawa N, et al. Effect of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536 [corrected] in relieving clinical symptoms and modulating plasma cytokine levels of Japanese cedar pollinosis during the pollen season. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006;16(2):86-93.
8. Smecuol E, Hwang HJ, Sugai E, et al. Exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Bifidobacterium infantis natren life start strain super strain in active celiac disease. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2013;47(2):139-47.
9. Guéniche A, Bastien P, Ovigne JM, et al. Bifidobacterium longum lysate, a new ingredient for reactive skin. Exp Dermatol. 2010;19(8):e1-8.