Overview

Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria) that lives in the intestines. It produces lactic and acetic acid in the gut.

"Good" bacteria such as B. bifidum can help break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. B. bifidum is commonly found in the feces of breastfed infants and is used in probiotic supplements.

People use B. bifidum for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and respiratory infections. It is also used for eczema, constipation, diarrhea, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using B. bifidum for COVID-19.

Don't confuse B. bifidum with other probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

There is interest in using B. bifidum for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: B. bifidum is likely safe. It's been used safely alone and together with other probiotics for up to one year. Some people might experience gas and bloating from probiotics, but B. bifidum seems to be well-tolerated.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: B. bifidum is likely safe. It's been used safely alone and together with other probiotics for up to one year. Some people might experience gas and bloating from probiotics, but B. bifidum seems to be well-tolerated.

Pregnancy: B. bifidum is possibly safe when taken by mouth for 6 weeks during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if B. bifidum is safe to use when breastfeeding. But there's no reason to expect safety concerns when used appropriately under medical supervision.

Children: B. bifidum is likely safe for most children when taken by mouth for up to 18 months. However, there isn't enough reliable information to know if B. bifidum is safe for very small premature infants.

Weakened immune system: Some probiotics have caused blood infections in a small number of people with weakened immune systems. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider before taking B. bifidum.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for BIFIDOBACTERIUM BIFIDUM overview.

Dosing

In adults, B. bifidum has most often been taken by mouth alone or together with other probiotics in doses of 1-6 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily, for up to 6 months. In children, B. bifidum has most often been taken by mouth together with other probiotics. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.