Bifidobacterium Animalis

• Bifidobacterium animals is a probiotic microbe that lives in the large intestine. By attaching to the intestine wall, they "crowd out" harmful bacteria by not allowing bad bacteria a place to attach or nutrients to feed on, forcing the invading bacteria to continue through the digestive system and out of the body. In this capacity, bifidobacterium animalis aids in the prevention of cancer--harmful bacteria can turn nitrates into nitrites, which are known to cause cancer. Bifidobacterium animalis also produce B-vitamin complexes, which aid in liver function.
  
  

Bifidobacterium Breve

• Bifidobacterium breve is considered to be one of the most beneficial gut flora in the digestive tract. The anaerobic bacteria ferments sugars and produces lactic and acetic acids. It can break down many different foods, even some considered non-digestible. Bifidobacterium breve can prevent E. coli when present in sufficient numbers; a shortage of bifidobacterium in the gut is associated with diarrhea, gas, irritable bowel syndrome and other intestinal ailments. Bifidobacterium breve also is found in the vagina, where it helps prevent yeast infections.
  
  

Bifidobacterium Bifidum

• Bifidobacterium bifidum is found in the colon and the vagina. In the intestines, this bacteria controls the micro-flora balance, builds the immune system and aids in digestion. Bifidobacterium bifidum is also found in breast milk and is thought to reduce intestinal inflammation in infants. Studies of infant nutrition suggest bifidobacterium bifidum can increase immune responses in infants. Research has also found that biridobacterium bifidum may be useful in managing food allergies. As of 2009, bifidobacterium bifidum probiotic supplements had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
  
  

Bifidobacterium Infantis

• Bifidobacterium infantis can be found throughout the intestines of humans. This probiotic bacterium produces acids that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the colon. According to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology in July 2006, bifidobacterium infantis may relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as diarrhea, gas, bloating and discomfort. It is thought that increasing bifidobacterium infantis helps the body build natural defense mechanisms to combat IBS.
  
  

Bifidobacterium Longum

• Bifidobacterium longum microbes are found in the gastrointestinal tract and in the vagina. This type of bacteria works to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the vagina and GI tract; in the digestive process, it aids in maintaining a healthy tract and boosts the body's immune system. Research studies have found bifodobacterium longum can relieve the symptoms or eliminate different food allergies, the inflammation of colitis and Crohn's disease and high levels of cholesterol. Probiotics containing bifodobacterium longum may be helpful to people with high cholesterol or colon cancer.
  
  

Supplemental Bifidobacterium

• According to a Centers for Disease Control study, 5.9 percent of participants in a National Health Interview Survey reported suffering with poor digestion. A 2005 study conducted by scientist Chr. Hansen determined that the symptoms of collagenous colitis, a inflammation of the colon that causes chronic diarrhea, could be relieved by probiotics containing bifidobacterium. A 2006 study conducted in Japan in 2006 found that a bifidobacterium vaccination could prevent certain kinds of salmonella.