Which probiotics have bifidobacterium infantis

On the other hand, the gut microbiomes of exclusively breastfed infants who were not supplemented with B. This near-monoculture of Bifidobacterium appeared to be driven by B. In contrast, B. These data highlight the vital importance of strain specificity in probiotics, and the combination of the presence of B. To understand how supplementary B. Unlike other MOM bifidobacteria, B. Other MOM bifidobacteria such as B.

A study from colleagues at UC Davis and their collaborators showed how B. These end products maintain a lower pH in the intestinal milieu, supporting the transport of these compounds into the intestinal epithelium for use by the host and creating an undesirable environment for potential pathogens. The production of acetate also blocks the infiltration of toxic molecules produced by pathogenic bacteria by enhancing intestinal barrier function and inhibiting pro-inflammatory and apoptotic responses.

Recent findings from one in vitro study have shown that the amount of acetate and lactate produced by different bifidobacterial species is dependent on how well they consume the carbohydrates available to them. Hence, feed a carbohydrate-consuming microbe its preferred carbohydrate, and it has greater potential to produce more of its protective end-products. Another reason why B. This extracellular digestion liberates simple carbohydrates and may cross-feed other species of Bifidobacterium , but also cross-feeds and thus opens an ecological niche for other, perhaps less beneficial microbes.

Cross-feeding among microbes diversifies the gut microbiome, which is considered to be generally beneficial in adults. But is there an advantage to having a near monoculture of Bifidobacterium in infants? By asking this question, our focus turned to immune development. Human milk oligosaccharides HMOs are complex carbohydrates that microbial species of the milk-oriented microbiome MOM can use as a food source. Bifidobacterium infantis encodes many proteins that specifically bind and transport all types of HMOs into its cell and digest them internally.

Other Bifidobacterium species digest only some HMOs and some do so externally. Digestion of HMOs by MOM Bifidobacterium results in the production of lactate and the short chain fatty acid acetate, that are secreted into the gut lumen. These molecules lower the pH in the intestinal milieu, which improves their transport into the epithelium for use by the host and creates an undesirable environment for potential pathogens such as E.

The decline of Bifidobacterium in infant gut microbiomes and the associated dysregulation of the microbial community, with more numerous potential pathogens, has been suggested as one possible contributor to the increased incidence of autoimmune diseases that plague residents of resource-rich nations. Conversely, observational studies have shown beneficial immune effects of having a fecal microbiome dominated by Bifidobacterium.

It may also help reduce gas and bloating. A study reported in Gut Microbes linked B. More research is needed to learn about the potential benefits of taking B. Probiotics are generally safe for most people to use. For example, common side effects include bloating, gas, and stomach discomfort. In rare cases, people with underlying health conditions have developed systemic infections after using probiotics.

These include ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, and vancomycin. You may find them in the form of tablets, capsules, or powder.

Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, follow the directions on the product label. Probiotic supplements are available in many drugstores and health food stores. They often contain multiple strains of bacteria. To learn if a product contains B. Adding B. Some research suggests it can relieve symptoms associated with IBS.

There was also no difference in reported use of antibiotics, antigas medication, gripe water, probiotics with or without B.

Rarefaction curves were computed to assess differences in alpha-diversity composition as measured by the Shannon diversity index based on treatment status. No statistical difference was observed between groups Supplementary Fig. There were no treatment differences in the number of children who experienced or were diagnosed with any common infant conditions or experiences Supplementary Table S5.

There were no significant differences in the mean number of experiences or diagnoses of common infant conditions Supplementary Table S6. The dominance of fecal Bifidobacterium and, specifically, B. These data demonstrate that the combination of breast milk and B. The infant gut microbiome is influenced by several maternal, dietary, and environmental factors, including delivery mode, feeding status i. The current study showed that fecal B.

The greatest difference in fecal B. The smallest difference in fecal B. After excluding infants with confounding variables that impact the gut microbiome, such as infant formula, antibiotics, and probiotics, fecal B. We were unable to determine if probiotic intake during the 1-year follow-up period independently influenced fecal B. Taken together, these data suggest that a lack of HMOs, the preferred carbon source for B. When infants were grouped by feeding type and exposures breast milk fed without intake of infant formula, antibiotics or probiotics, mixed fed with breast milk and infant formula without intake of antibiotics or probiotics, and intake of antibiotics all feeding types and probiotics , we found that fecal B.

These findings further support the observation that breast milk is critical in supporting the colonization of B. These taxa differ in their preferences for carbohydrate substrates, metabolism of their preferred substrates into end products, and their consequent biochemical effects in the gut and on infant health. For example, members of the family Lachnospiraceae consist of spore-forming, anerobic bacteria that ferment complex plant polysaccharides into short-chain fatty acids SCFAs , such as acetate, butyrate, and propionate.

For example, some members of this family that are commonly found in the human gut microbiome have been associated with a number of adverse health outcomes in adults e. In this study, we also found higher levels of the family Bacteroidaceae in the UNS group at 12 months postnatal. Bacteroidaceae is a family of Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic, nonsporulating bacilli that is commonly found in the healthy human adult colon. While most members of this family are considered commensals, some species, such as Bacteroides fragilis , include pathogenic strains.

This cross-feeding event was found to drive the E. The gut of infants enriched with the genus Bifidobacterium and low levels of potential pathogens decreases the risk of autoimmune diseases, 15 , 16 supporting that supplementation with B. Alpha-diversity was not different between groups; however, we found significant yet weak differences in beta-diversity between the two groups, suggesting that only a few OTUs were contributing to the overall beta-diversity in response to treatment status.

Confirmation of these data with statistical analyses at each time point found that Enterococcaceae was not different; however, Enterococcus was significantly higher by 0. Species that belong to the genus Enterococcus exert a range of functions in the gut as commensals to nosocomial pathogens that possess antibiotic resistance genes. We have previously reported that EVC supplementation reduced antibiotic resistance genes 30 and that this taxon was not associated with enteric inflammation.

In the follow-up 1 study, there was no difference in the frequency of illnesses, doctor visits, hospitalization, or health conditions between the EVC and UNS groups.

In the follow-up 2 study, there were no differences between the EVC and UNS groups for the number of infants who were diagnosed with or experienced any common health conditions. One limitation of this study is that primers specific to the full genomic sequence for EVC were not used in this study. Based on the literature, B. Thus, we are confident that the several-fold difference in fecal B.

Another limitation is that following completion of the parent study, factors that have confounding effects on the gut microbiome were not controlled. Although there were no significant differences in the number of infants among the different subgroups: breast milk; breast milk and infant formula; infant formula without breast milk; solid foods, or used antibiotics, probiotics, or were enrollees in daycare at any time point, given the small number in each subgroup it is possible that some of these factors had an impact on the gut microbiome.

Second, different individuals participated in follow-up 1 and follow-up 2, limiting our ability to make direct comparisons between the gut microbiome results of follow-up 1 and the health outcomes measured in follow-up 2.

Although follow-up 1 and 2 are independent of one another, both sets of participants stemmed from the parent study allowing us to make direct comparisons between treatment groups.

Third, for both follow-up 1 and 2, not every participant provided a stool sample and questionnaire at every time point.

As such, it was not possible to use paired data to compare the gut microbiome and health outcomes across time and, therefore, our statistical analyses were limited to the treatment group comparisons at each time point. Lastly, the parent study was originally designed to determine differences in the gut microbiome composition and fecal biochemistry at 1 month post- B. Neither follow-up 1 nor 2 were designed or powered to detect differences in health outcomes between treatment groups.

For example, previous longitudinal studies that have investigated the relationships between the early infant gut microbiome and atopic wheezing, and asthma have included both control and at-risk groups with sample sizes between and infants. Long-term colonization of a probiotic after cessation of its consumption has not been previously been demonstrated.

These findings support the importance of matching a specific microorganism with a carbohydrate source that it selectively consumes thereby providing an open ecological niche for the microbe to occupy. We found that feeding breastfed infants a specific strain of B. The gut microbiome in early infancy plays a critical role in immune system development and metabolic programming that has lifelong health impacts.

Changes in the composition of the gut microbiome with lower protective microbes and higher potential pathogens associated with a Western lifestyle appear to increase the risks of developing allergic, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. Based on our findings, large clinical trials are warranted to determine whether B.

Totten, S. Rapid-throughput glycomics applied to human milk oligosaccharide profiling for large human studies. Smilowitz, J. Breast milk oligosaccharides: Structure-function relationships in the neonate. Annu Rev Nutr 34 , — LoCascio, R. Glycoprofiling of bifidobacterial consumption of human milk oligosaccharides demonstrates strain specific, preferential consumption of small chain glycans secreted in early human lactation.

Food Chem. Sela, D. The genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Natl Acad. USA , — Broad conservation of milk utilization genes in Bifidobacterium longum subsp. The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism. Lipid Res. Van Limpt, C. Effect of colonic short chain fatty acids, lactate and ph on the growth of common gut pathogens. Article Google Scholar. Fukuda, S. Acetate-producing bifidobacteria protect the host from enteropathogenic infection via carbohydrate transporters.

Gut Microbes 3 , — However, recent research suggests supplementation with this bacteria may be useful in other conditions as well, including prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Here, we explore the many benefits of Bifidobacterium infantis and how it is being used as a probiotic. Note: Looking for a probiotic containing Bifidobacterium infantis? Bifidobacterium infantis is a lactic acid producing bacteria that provides many benefits to newborn infants as well as adults.

Bifidobacterium infantis appears to help reduce excessive inflammation that is characteristic of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome 1. Put simply, Bifidobacterium infantis benefits us by 2 :.

It is noteworthy that much of what is known about the benefits of Bifidobacterium infantis comes from studies that were done in infants 2. While it is likely that these benefits extend to adults as well—and there is some evidence to support this—the magnitude of these benefits may differ as we get older.

Bifidobacterium infantis is a specialized microbe that has evolved to colonize the human gut very early in life, potentially even before birth 2. Once in the gut, Bifidobacterium infantis plays a critical role in breaking down complex carbohydrates that human cells are unable to digest. In infants, this skill is particularly useful as breast milk is primarily made up of fats, sugars, a set of nondigestible carbohydrates that are collectively referred to as Human Milk Oligosaccharides HMO 2.

HMOs are difficult to digest, but they contain many valuable parts that can be harvested and used by both bacteria and human cells. However, very few organisms are capable of breaking up HMOs and making their useful parts accessible to others. Bifidobacterium infantis is one such organism. Equipped with an array of tools coded in its DNA, Bifidobacterium infantis is one of the few bacteria in the gut microbiome that can digest HMOs, transforming them from inert molecules to sources of nutrition for the gut microbiome 2.

Among the many products that may come from this activity is the creation of butyrate. Butyrate is one of the three main short chain fatty acids SCFA produced in the gut microbiome and, among its many uses, is instrumental in helping the body regulate insulin and blood sugar levels.

By increasing SCFA production, Bifidobacterium infantis may exert some influence on our health that extends well beyond the gut, including the promotion of healthy blood sugar regulation via increased butyrate signaling. This is because infants primarily feed on formula or breast milk which is made up of lactose, fats, and HMOs 2.

In this environment, Bifidobacterium infantis is able to grow and occupy a large amount of space in the microbiome. Simply by outcompeting others, Bifidobacterium infantis may be helping to keep infants healthy by preventing potentially harmful bacteria from taking up residence in the gut.