Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Bifidobacterium
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Bifidobacterium is a genus of Gram-positive, non-motile, often branched anaerobic bacteria. Bifidobacteria are one of the major genera of bacteria that make up the gut flora, the bacteria that reside in the colon. Bifidobacteria aid in digestion, are associated with a lower incidence of allergies (Björkstén et al., 2004) and also prevent some forms of tumor growth (Guarner and Malagelada, 2003). Some bifidobacteria are being used as probiotics.
Before the 1960s, Bifidobacterium species used to be collectively referred to as “Lactobacillus bifidus“.
References
References
- Björkstén B, Sepp E, Julge K, Voor T, and Mikelsaar M. 2001. Allergy development and the intestinal microflora during the first year of life. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 108, Issue 4, Pages 516-520. Abstract available.
- Guarner F and Malagelada JR. 2003. Gut flora in health and disease. The Lancet, Volume 361, Issue 9356, 8 February 2003, Pages 512-519. Abstract available.It helps your stomach absorb food.
- Ishibashi, N., Yaeshima, T., Hayasawa, H. (1997). Bifidobacteria: their significance in human intestinal health. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 3, 149–159.