Evidence supporting the use of: Bifidobacteria
For the health condition: Antibiotics (side effects of)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Bifidobacteria are commonly used as probiotics to help mitigate the side effects of antibiotics, particularly antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Scientific evidence supports their use for this purpose. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that probiotics containing Bifidobacteria can reduce the incidence and severity of AAD, especially in children and adults undergoing antibiotic therapy. The rationale is that antibiotics disrupt the natural gut microbiota, often reducing beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria, which can create an environment for opportunistic pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile to flourish. Supplementation with Bifidobacteria helps restore microbial balance, enhance gut barrier function, and modulate the immune response, thereby reducing gastrointestinal symptoms associated with antibiotics.

A 2020 Cochrane review concluded that probiotics, particularly those containing Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus strains, are effective in preventing AAD. The evidence is stronger for multi-strain formulations, but Bifidobacteria alone have also shown benefit in clinical studies. While not all individuals will experience the same degree of benefit, and some studies show modest or no effect, the overall body of evidence justifies their use to support gut health during and after antibiotic use. However, more research is needed to determine optimal strains and dosing.

More about Bifidobacteria
More about Antibiotics (side effects of)

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