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Bifidobacterium lactis : qu'est ce que c'est ?

Bifidobacterium lactis: why is it important for your health?

Written by the Phytocea team Reviewed by Phytocea Scientific Advisory Board Editorial credit: Iris de Phytocea
• • 6 min
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For Phytocea by Léa Bathily, Dietitian

Gut health is a topic that's frequently discussed these days. A growing body of research shows that several aspects of our health are closely linked to the health of our gut microbiota. Among the microorganisms that populate our intestines, some play a key role in maintaining the balance of our digestive system and strengthening our immune system. One of these key players is the genus Bifidobacterium lactis . This article aims to provide a better understanding of what this bacterium is and how it can be beneficial.

Bifidobacterium lactis is a probiotic

Bifidobacterium lactis is a strain of probiotic bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium. Probiotics are "live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." The colon harbors a total of between 10¹² and 10¹⁴ microorganisms in adulthood. Bifidobacterium lactis is a natural inhabitant of our intestinal tract, particularly our colon, and is among the first bacteria to colonize it at birth, which is why they are classified as commensal bacteria. A unique characteristic of this bacterium is that it does not require oxygen to grow, allowing it to thrive in the colon, an environment with very low oxygen levels.

The gut microbiota has numerous functions in the body, not just in digestion. It plays a major role in immune, metabolic, and neurological functions, as well as in the prevention of certain chronic and inflammatory diseases. For these reasons, an imbalanced gut microbiota has irreversible consequences for the body's health. This phenomenon is called dysbiosis.

The health benefits of Bifidobacterium lactis

Bifidobacterium lactis helps with digestive comfort

One of the primary functions of the gut microbiota is digestion. Bifidobacterium lactis plays a crucial role in digesting complex, indigestible carbohydrates such as dietary fiber. It metabolizes these complex carbohydrates into small molecules called short-chain fatty acids. These metabolites are then absorbed through the intestinal lining and subsequently perform various actions in the body. When taken as a supplement, B. lactis has the particular benefit of improving constipation by increasing bowel movement frequency in adults. More specifically, it helps reduce the transit time of fecal matter through the colon.

Bifidobacterium lactis strengthens the immune system

Research supports the hypothesis that Bacillus lactis plays a beneficial role in maintaining intestinal barrier function during gastrointestinal infections. When the intestinal tract is infected by harmful bacteria, or pathogens, the gut microbiota acts as a barrier, preventing them from colonizing or even penetrating the intestinal mucosa. This is known as a competitive system between commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Bacillus lactis also facilitates cell adhesion through cell junctions, thus improving intestinal permeability. The function of this bacterium doesn't stop there; it also increases the activity of immune cells, specifically natural killer cells (NKCs). These cells are white blood cells that kill tumor cells and infected cells.

B. lactis thus strengthens the immune system through several mechanisms. First, the probiotic prevents pathogenic microorganisms from passing through the intestinal wall by competing with other organisms. Furthermore, B. lactis strengthens the intestinal lining by influencing intestinal permeability, and finally, it enhances the activity of certain immune cells.

Bifidobacterium lactis is involved in weight management

Numerous studies suggest that Bifidobacterium lactis may play a role in weight management. It can influence the composition of the gut microbiota in ways that promote a healthy metabolism. Furthermore, the gut microbiota of obese individuals has been shown to exhibit dysbiosis, specifically an imbalance between the number of bacteria from the Bacteroidetes family (the family to which Bifidobacterium lactis belongs) and another family, the Firmicutes.

Bifidobacterium lactis reduces the risk of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by "inflammation of the lining of a part of the digestive tract, due to a dysregulation of the intestinal immune system " (Inserm). IBD includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and are chronic. More than 200,000 people are affected by these diseases in France, including 15% of children (Inserm). They manifest as tissue damage to the intestinal wall. Bifidobacterium lactis can help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, which may help prevent or alleviate these diseases in some people. Indeed, some studies have shown that this probiotic can alleviate chronic colitis, or inflammation of the colon.

How to consume Bifidobacterium lactis through food?

 

Bifidobacterium lactis is found in lacto-fermented products. These products are obtained through lacto-fermentation, a process that ferments food in the absence of oxygen. Dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, and kefir, which naturally contain strains of Bifidobacterium lactis, are among these products.

In addition to dairy products, other fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso also contain probiotics, although the specific strains may vary.

There is also a variety of probiotic dietary supplements available in numerous dosage forms, such as capsules, tablets, powders, and liquids. The most suitable dosage form is the gastro-resistant capsule, which withstands stomach acid to prevent the microbial strains from degrading. These strains can then be delivered alive to the intestines and perform their functions.

Our nutritional advice

To maximize the benefits of Bifidobacterium lactis and other probiotics, here are some tips for maintaining a healthy gut flora:

  • Eating a variety of foods : a diverse diet promotes a diverse gut flora. A diet rich in fiber provides prebiotics and thus helps the gut flora develop. These are found mainly in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, and legumes.
  • Reduce sugar and processed foods , which have a detrimental effect on the balance of the gut microbiota.
  • Limit antibiotic use whenever possible: antibiotics work by destroying bacteria. However, this treatment can also kill the beneficial bacteria naturally present in the gut. As mentioned, an imbalance in the gut flora leads to digestive discomfort. Therefore, it is advisable to take antibiotics only when necessary and only as directed by your doctor.

 

Phytocea offers a symbiotic blend for your intestinal health

Phytocea has developed the Flore Daily food supplement, specially designed for intestinal comfort. Flore Daily is a probiotic food supplement containing 11 different strains, including Lactobacillus , Bifidobacterium lactis , and an Enterococcus strain. These bacterial strains are highly concentrated, with over 50 billion live cultures, in a gastro-resistant formulation to ensure the probiotics remain effective in the colon, unaffected by stomach acid.

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Sources

Inserm: the gut microbiota

Inserm: Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases

Alard, J., Peucelle, V., Boutillier, D., Breton, J., Kuylle, S., Pot, B., Holowacz, S., & Grangette, C. (2018). New probiotic strains for inflammatory bowel disease management identified by combining in vitro and in vivo approaches. Beneficial Microbes , 9 (2), 317-331. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2017.0097

Ashraf, R., & Shah, N.P. (2014). Immune System Stimulation by Probiotic Microorganisms. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition , 54 (7), 938-956. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2011.619671

Ibarra, A., Latreille-Barbier, M., Donazzolo, Y., Pelletier, X., & Ouwehand, AC (2018). Effects of 28-day Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 supplementation on colonic transit time and gastrointestinal symptoms in adults with functional constipation: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, and dose-ranging trial. Gut Microbes , 9 (3), 236–251. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2017.1412908

Jungersen, M., Wind, A., Johansen, E., Christensen, JE, Stuer-Lauridsen, B., & Eskesen, D. (2014). The Science behind the Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BB-12®. Microorganisms , 2 (2), 92‑110. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms2020092

Lee, A., Lee, YJ, Yoo, HJ, Kim, M., Chang, Y., Lee, DS, & Lee, JH (2017). Consumption of Dairy Yogurt Containing Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. Paracasei, Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis and Heat-Treated Lactobacillus plantarum Improves Immune Function Including Natural Killer Cell Activity. Nutrients , 9 (6), 558. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9060558

Uusitupa, H.-M., Rasinkangas, P., Lehtinen, MJ, Mäkelä, SM, Airaksinen, K., Anglenius, H., Ouwehand, AC, & Maukonen, J. (2020). Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis 420 for Metabolic Health: Review of the Research. Nutrients , 12 (4), 892. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12040892

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FAQ

Pour déterminer si vous avez besoin de Bifidobacterium lactis, il est conseillé de prêter attention à votre santé digestive. Si vous souffrez de troubles intestinaux fréquents, comme des ballonnements ou des irrégularités, une consultation avec un professionnel de santé peut vous aider à évaluer si l'ajout de probiotiques est bénéfique.

Oui, en général, les produits contenant Bifidobacterium lactis sont sûrs pour les enfants. Cependant, il est toujours préférable de consulter un pédiatre avant d'introduire de nouveaux suppléments ou probiotiques dans l'alimentation des enfants, surtout s'ils ont des problèmes de santé préexistants.

Il est recommandé d'attendre quelques heures après la prise d'antibiotiques avant de consommer des probiotiques comme Bifidobacterium lactis. Cela permet d'éviter que les antibiotiques ne détruisent les bonnes bactéries. En général, il est préférable de consulter un professionnel de santé pour un plan adapté.

Les effets de Bifidobacterium lactis peuvent varier d'une personne à l'autre. En général, il faut environ deux à quatre semaines de consommation régulière pour commencer à ressentir des améliorations dans le confort digestif et la santé intestinale.

Il y a des recherches suggérant que les probiotiques, y compris Bifidobacterium lactis, peuvent avoir un impact positif sur la santé mentale en influençant le microbiote intestinal. Cependant, les résultats varient et il est conseillé de consulter un professionnel de santé pour un suivi spécifique sur l'anxiété et le stress.

Les signes d'un déséquilibre du microbiote intestinal peuvent inclure des troubles digestifs tels que des ballonnements, des gaz, des douleurs abdominales, des diarrhées ou des constipations fréquentes, ainsi qu'une fatigue chronique ou des infections récurrentes. Si vous ressentez ces symptômes, il peut être utile de consulter un spécialiste.

Bifidobacterium lactis est principalement trouvé dans les produits laitiers fermentés. Cependant, certains produits probiotiques à base de plantes peuvent contenir des souches similaires ou d'autres probiotiques bénéfiques. Vérifiez les étiquettes des produits pour des informations spécifiques sur les souches bactériennes.