Evidence supporting the use of: Bifidobacterium
For the health condition: Colitis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Bifidobacterium (unspecified species) is used to support or treat colitis primarily based on scientific evidence, though the strength of evidence is moderate (rated 3). Several clinical studies and systematic reviews have investigated the role of probiotics, including various Bifidobacterium species, in the management of different forms of colitis, particularly ulcerative colitis and, to a lesser extent, microscopic colitis and Crohn's disease affecting the colon. The rationale is that Bifidobacteria are major components of the healthy human gut microbiota and may help restore microbial balance, enhance mucosal barrier function, and modulate immune responses in the inflamed colon.
Randomized controlled trials have shown that multi-strain probiotic formulations containing Bifidobacterium (e.g., VSL#3) can induce and maintain remission in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis, with some studies reporting comparable efficacy to standard therapies like mesalamine. However, the evidence for single-strain Bifidobacterium products is less robust, and not all studies demonstrate significant benefits. Meta-analyses generally conclude that probiotics are safe and may have a modest benefit, but results are heterogeneous depending on the specific formulation and patient population. Guidelines from gastroenterology societies acknowledge the potential role of certain probiotics as adjunctive therapy, particularly for ulcerative colitis, but do not recommend them as first-line treatment.
In summary, the use of Bifidobacterium for colitis is supported by moderate scientific evidence, especially as part of multi-strain probiotic products, but further high-quality studies are needed to clarify which strains, dosages, and patient populations benefit most.
Other ingredients used for Colitis
AcemannanAkkermansia muciniphila
Alchornea
Algae
algal oil
Aloe vera
Amor seco
anamu
andrographolide
anemarrhena asphodeloides
anthocyanins
apigenin
apple
apple cider vinegar
astaxanthin
Asteraceae
astragalin
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
bael
barberry
Basidiomycota
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
black nightshade
blackboard tree
blueberry
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bromelain
buckthorn
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cabbage
cactus
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
Clostridium butyricum
colocynth
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
diterpenes
Euphorbia
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
flavonols
Frangula
fucoidan
gallic acid
garlic bulb
ginger
Glycomacropeptides
Glycyrrhetinic acid
green tea
Guava
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
hemp oil
hericium mushroom
Humic acid
immunoglobin G
Immunoglobulin G
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Kefir
L-glutamine
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus lactis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
licorice root
Mucilage
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nimbidin
Oligosaccharides
Osthole
Oxymatrine
Patrinia
Pediococcus acidilactici
Peptides
phlorotannins
picrorhiza kurroa
Plantago
plantain
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
quercetin
resveratrol
Rhus coriaria
rosmarinic acid
Saccharomyces boulardii
Scabrous Gentian
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
Swertia
Tayuya
Trametes
tributyrin
Triphala
Triterpenes
turmeric
Varuna
xanthium (cockleburs)
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Bifidobacterium
Abdominal PainAllergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Celiac Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Colitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Crohn's Disease
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diverticulitis
Eczema
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lactose Intolerance
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Vaginitis
