Bifidobacterium longum is a gram-positive bacterium present in yogurt with potential benefits for the gastrointestinal tract and that helps ferment carbohydrates, form the intestinal flora of babies, as well as inhibit inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
It also has benefits for the brain, improving, in certain cases, memory in people with chronic stress as we will explain.
Content
What is Bifidobacterium longum?
It is a gram-positive and catalase-negative bacterium. Its morphology is rod-shaped and can be found naturally in the human intestine, as well as in foods like yogurt.
Bifidobacterium longum belongs to the genus Bifidobacterium and is one of the first bacteria that forms the intestinal flora of babies and is often known as bifidus. About 90% of the bacteria that make up the microbiota of young children are B. longum, decreasing its presence as we grow and become adults. At this point, longum bacteria have a minor presence in the gastrointestinal tract, with values close to 3% of the total bacteria that form the intestinal flora.
When we are born, humans lack microbiota, making it crucial to form it quickly to protect us against pathogens and harmful microorganisms. The fact that B. longum is one of the first microorganisms we acquire is of great importance to prevent the proliferation of other harmful bacterial species.
However, as we grow and become adults, this type of bifidobacteria loses importance, reducing its number in the adult gastrointestinal tract.
Types of Bifidobacterium longum or B. longum
- BB536
- NCC3001
- 1714
- 35624
- W11
- BL999
- R0175 or Rosell-175
- Bl-05
- La 101
- Es1
- Aw11
- 35624
All these subspecies of Bifidobacterium longum correspond to strains developed by different brands that have patented each strain. Most of them share the characteristics of B. longum, having some differences that make them more beneficial for certain types of disorders, and can be used as probiotics for diarrhea, constipation, or as a product to eliminate the side effects of antibiotics.
Bifidobacterium longum BB536
It is a variant or subspecies of B. longum with great capacity to lodge and live in the intestinal walls of humans.
Bifidobacterium longum BB536 colonizes the digestive tract, regulating the function of the gastrointestinal system and improving the immune system response. This characteristic makes the person who takes it as a probiotic more resistant to bacterial and fungal infections.
Another property or benefit of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 is increasing calcium absorption, an essential mineral for bones and the strength of the entire bone system, making it ideal for people with bone problems like osteoporosis and other conditions where bone is lost.
NCC3001
Used with relative success in treating depression and anxiety, Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 is a probiotic with benefits for the brain and nervous system.
The strain of B. longum we are talking about can regulate anxiety, providing a better response from the hippocampus as well as in patients with ulcerative colitis and chemical colitis.
It has anxiolytic effects and regulates the function of neural cells.
1714
This strain of B. longum can have effects on the brain and memory. Studies conducted with B. longum 1714 have shown positive results in people suffering from stress and memory loss due to chronic anxiety.
The data provided by the study indicate that, after taking the longum 1714 variety for 22 weeks, there is a reduction in stress, regulation of brain function, and a significant increase in memory.
ES1
In this case, there are many more differences compared to previous strains as its properties have been evaluated in people with celiac disease.
Bifidobacterium longum ES1 is available to slow the deterioration of intestinal villi caused by gluten in celiac disease and the decrease in nutrient absorption.
The benefits of B. longum ES1 include hydrolyzing certain types of gluten peptides, reducing the inflammatory response of the celiac individual.
Another characteristic of longum ES1 is that it inhibits the growth of other pathogenic bacteria, reducing the likelihood of contracting bacterial and fungal infections common in people with weakened intestinal flora.
Infantis
It has the ability to ferment carbohydrates ingested through food and thus grow and colonize the intestines of babies.
Bifidobacterium longum infantis is part of the microbiota of children, possessing benefits such as:
- Reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.
- Lower incidence of inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Increasing and encouraging the formation of the baby's intestinal flora.
- Improving the immune system response (enhancing the body's defenses).
- Reducing intestinal permeability.
- Increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids.
- Facilitating better vaccine effectiveness.
If you want to know all its characteristics, we recommend that you go to the section of this subspecies where we explain its benefits and the uses of the Bifidobacterium infantis probiotic.
35624
Initially classified as B. longum ssp. Infantis, the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum 35624 has different commercial names in various countries.
Initially included as B. longum subspecies infantis, it was finally categorized as B. longum 35624.
This probiotic strain has benefits for reducing intestinal inflammation, improving bowel transit, and also decreasing pain in gastrointestinal disorders, acting as a medicinal element to regulate bowel movements.
There are also positive results with other inflammatory pathologies, finding that there is less production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and chronic fatigue syndrome improved in the tests performed.
Possible benefits of B. longum
- Increased calcium absorption.
- Regulation of bowel transit.
- Strengthening the immune system.
- Lower inflammatory response.
- Serves as complementary therapy for ulcerative colitis.
- Reduces common cold symptoms.
Yogurt
Although naturally not present or in small amounts, it is increasingly common to enrich yogurts with probiotics that we can buy at the supermarket. Many brands are evolving to provide functional foods with more properties and health benefits.
In this sense, it is common to find Bifidobacterium longum in yogurt, making it much more beneficial for intestinal transit and the balance of the bacterial flora.
It can also be found in foods such as ice cream where it is recommended to add probiotics before freezing, so that once included, they can withstand temperatures of -30 ℃. Once ingested, the B. longum probiotic in its various subspecies withstands stomach acids well, reaching the intestine and effectively colonizing it.
