This time it is about bifidobacteria.
Bifidobacteria are commonly used for diarrhea, constipation, a bowel disorder called irritable bowel syndrome to prevent common colds and flu, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Is there any evidence from scientific research on bifidobacteria for its effectiveness?
It probably works for...
Studies on constipation show that taking bifidobacteria may increase bowel movement in people with constipation within a week.Also, taking Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus along with standard H. pylori therapy may be more helpful than the usual treatment alone.
Studies on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have shown that taking Bifidobacterium for four to eight weeks can reduce IBS symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and difficulty moving the bowels. It may also reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. However, there are several studies that contradict these results.
And oral intake of a combination of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and streptococci seems to help prevent cystitis after ulcerative colitis surgery.
Some studies on airway infections show that taking probiotics containing bifidobacteria prevents common airway infections, but others show that taking bifidobacteria does not reduce the risk of airway infections in hospitalized children and teens.
Studies have shown that when infants with rotavirus diarrhea are given bifidobacteria, the duration of diarrhea is reduced by about one day.
Research results indicate that it is probably not effective.
Diarrhea caused by infection with the bacterium Clostridium difficile.
Mortality in premature infants
Growth aid for infants
Intestinal damage in preterm infants (necrotizing enterocolitis; NEC)
Blood infections (septicemia)
Weight loss
Those for which there is only insufficient evidence to claim an effect.
Antibiotic-induced diarrhea
Scaly, itchy skin (eczema)
Celiac Disease
Infections Associated with Chemotherapy Treatment
Diabetes
Exercise-induced muscle pain
High cholesterol
Cedar Pollen Allergy
Arthritis
Anti-aging
Breast pain, possibly due to infection (mastitis)
Cancer
Lactose intolerance
Liver problems
Lyme disease
Mumps
Replacement of beneficial bacteria removed by diarrhea
Stomach problems
