Dr. Rose, M.D. (researcher)
Evan Jerkunica (writer)
Bifidobacterium Longum Probiotic
B longum is a probiotic bacteria that has been studied extensively. There are 32 different strains of B longum that are all considered to be beneficial to our health. It is considered safe and is only known to have minimal side effects.
Well Researched Benefits of B longum
- Helps fight infectionsA
- Might help in the treatment of anxietyB
- Stimulates immune system
- Reduces obesity-related hepatitisC
- Earlier research evaluated using the B. longum as a delivery mechanism for chemotherapy for colon cancersD
What Exactly is B Longum?
- mostly lives in the colon
- Is rod shaped, gram negative bacteria
- One of first bacteria to colonize infant’s intestines
- resistant to stomach acid and bile
- considered safe for supplementation
- likes to ferment plant fibers and eat them
- lactic acid and other products help stimulate immune system and reduce inflammation
Interesting facts
B. longum has been found to reduce the body’s production of certain chemicals that increase inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress may be adaptive in the short term to produce extra enzymes that fight infection, but prolonged excessive oxidative stress leads to death of cells, autoimmune disorders, neurologic deterioration, and chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic pain.
May Help With Anxiety
In the literature, the B. longum is gaining attention for its use as an anxiety-relieving probiotic. Its mechanism of action is not completely clear, but it appears to stimulate local intestinal nerves, sending signals to the brain that relieve anxiety. This could also be related to chemical signals produce in the gut, but most studies suggest that the result comes from activation of the enteric nerves themselves. It appears to be particularly effective in certain animal models of colitis.E It is often considered to be classified as a “psychobiotic”.
Helps Improve Immune Health
B. longum is used in two different ways to improve human health: the production of immune stimulating enzymes, and breakdown of complex soluble fiber into smaller components that can be absorbed. As a probiotic, in helps control which other bacteria survive in the gut. Finally, its byproducts of metabolism are absorbed and have systemic effects.
Side effects
B. longum has received the FDA designation of GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe).
Full Reference List
- Matsumoto T, Ishikawa H, Tateda K, Yaeshima T, Ishibashi N, Yamaguchi K. Oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum prevents gut‐derived Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis in mice. Journal of applied microbiology. 2008 Mar;104(3):672-80.
- Bercik P, Park AJ, Sinclair D, Khoshdel A, Lu J, Huang X, Deng Y, Blennerhassett PA, Fahnestock M, Moine D, Berger B. The anxiolytic effect of Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 involves vagal pathways for gut–brain communication. Neurogastroenterology & Motility. 2011 Dec;23(12):1132-9.
- Malaguarnera M, Vacante M, Antic T, Giordano M, Chisari G, Acquaviva R, Mastrojeni S, Malaguarnera G, Mistretta A, Volti GL, Galvano F. Bifidobacterium longum with fructo-oligosaccharides in patients with non alcoholic steatohepatitis. Digestive diseases and sciences. 2012 Feb 1;57(2):545-53.
- Yazawa K, Fujimori M, Amano J, Kano Y, Taniguchi SI. Bifidobacterium longum as a delivery system for cancer gene therapy: selective localization and growth in hypoxic tumors. Cancer gene therapy. 2000 Feb;7(2):269.
- Cryan JF, Dinan TG. Mind-altering microorganisms: the impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Nature reviews neuroscience. 2012 Oct;13(10):701.
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Hi hi, can these B Longum probiotic bacteria be manufactured in powdered form and packed in sachets for administration like some health products sold in the market? Would they still be alive and effective like what these health organisations claim? Could you enlighten me on this?
Thank you.
Hi Serilan,
Yeah that sounds like a good plan to me. I can’t think of why sachets would not work for b longum.
Best,
Evan Jerkunica