Last updated on May 6th, 2023 at 06:07 am
Many of us eat food for its taste while some of us eat it for its health benefits. Some of us eat a very well-balanced diet. However, we all respond differently to a similar diet. This difference comes from the difference in how our guts respond to the food we eat. The gut response depends on the gut microbiome along with some other factors including age, genetics, and climate. Each one of us has a slightly different microbiome which we get from our parents, friends, and the geographical area we are from. This microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria which are both good and bad for our health. The good bacteria in our microbiome and in our guts are called probiotics which means “for life”. Apart from bacteria, certain yeasts can be probiotics along with some viruses and fungi, which are currently being studied and could be considered probiotics.
In the early 1900’s microbiologist, Elie Metchnikoff associated the consumption of fermented food by the Bulgarians as one of the reasons for their higher average life span and better health. This fact is now confirmed by several studies that the gut microbiome not only helps in the digestion of food but also affects our organs, and mood and may help in living a longer life.
Probiotics are present in many fermented foods and humans have understood that fermented food promotes better health. In some traditions, it is believed that the long life of Abraham was because of his habit of consuming aged or sour milk.
Scientists have identified more than 20+ probiotic strains which are present in foods and are also available in the form of probiotic supplements. One of those probiotic strains is Bifidobacterium lactis or Bl-04®.
What is BL-04®?
BL-04® or Bifidobacterium Lactis is a strain of probiotic which produces lactic and acetic acid in the intestine where it is present in large colonies.
Bifidobacterium Lactis is also referred to as BB-12, Bifidobacterium Animalis DN-173 010, and Bifidobacterium Regularis.
This probiotic is a rod-shaped anaerobic gram-positive bacteria present in the guts and especially in the large intestine of mammals. Bifidobacterium Lactis helps in the breakdown of foods, and their absorption, and aids in controlling the bacterial colonies which are responsible for various infections.
Bifidobacterium Lactis has been studied for its immunological benefits, its effectiveness against the effects of antibiotics, and the regulation of gut health. It has been a part of more than 20 clinical trials and is used in combination with other probiotics to treat and aid in upper respiratory tract illnesses, and respiratory health and to restore gut microbiome after long antibiotic usage.
Bifidobacterium Lactis Benefits
Bifidobacterium lactis (BL-04) For Gut Health
Bifidobacterium Lactis is effective in restoring the gut microbiome with probiotics, it is a strain that survives the stomach acid which many other probiotic strains don’t when taken in the form of a supplement.
Bifidobacterium Lactis has been tested for its efficacy for antibiotic-induced diarrhea which is called antibiotic-associated diarrhea ( AAD) and also for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and has been found to help significantly with AAD and is also helpful in controlling AGE slightly.
When taken in combination with other strains for the restoration of the gut microbiome, Bifidobacterium Lactis shows a faster and more long-lasting probiotic colony growth than many other probiotics.
Bifidobacterium Lactis prevents bacterial infections caused by different bacteria including C. difficile infection. In fact, it lowers the severity of infection which results in a reduction in inflammation, fevers, and bloating.
Bifidobacterium lactis for Immunity
Probiotics have been shown to secrete protective substances when our bodies are going through stress because of a viral or bacterial infection. These substances turn on our immune response system. However, we don’t yet know whether probiotics do it to not allow any competition or because when we are under stress our body might end up eliminating probiotics too so by helping our body probiotics ensure their own survival, we have yet to learn how exactly probiotics function.
This probiotic Bifidobacterium Lactis has been tested for its immunity-aiding properties. In a placebo-controlled double-blind study, Bifidobacterium lactis reduced the infection rate and lowered the intensity of viral shedding in rhinovirus-induced flu.
In another study Bifidobacterium Lactis along with 6 other probiotic strains were tested for their effect on immunoglobulin serum concentrations after vaccination, the group which was administered with Bifidobacterium Lactis showed increased IgG right after the vaccination.
Athletes or people who do high-intensity work out usually run the risk of getting flu or respiratory infections, as high-intensity exercise lowers immunity during the recovery period. Bifidobacterium lactis can decrease the risk of such infections by 27% without any major or known side effects.
Safety
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04® is naturally present in many fermented foods and in supplement form, it usually is available in combination with other strains.
It has been tested for its effects on adults and children on various parameters including genomic risk factors and acute toxicity, and the tests show no adverse effects on the subjects by the use of Bifidobacterium Lactis.
Side Effects of BL-04
In most cases, there are no side effects of taking Bifidobacterium Lactis (BL-04) supplement orally and in the correct dosage, as guided, however in some rare events it might cause flatulence and bloating.
Pay Attention!
If you have a weakened immune system or you are HIV/AIDS positive or are undergoing any such treatment which has caused you to have a weaker immune system please consult your doctor before taking any probiotics as there are rare cases of other probiotics like lactobacillus causing a probiotic induced infection.
Takeaways
Probiotics promote a healthy gut microbiome which is important for our digestive health. These probiotics are present in fermented food and also available in the form of drinks and capsules as supplements. Each probiotic has slightly different benefits. Bifidobacterium Lactis is one of those probiotics which manages not only your gut health but helps prevent respiratory infections, assists immunity, and prevents harmful bacteria takeover without any major known side effects.
