Over recent years, a theory called the "hygiene hypothesis" proposes that the increase in allergic diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and atopic rhinitis in many developed countries is through the lack of early exposure to bacteria.Ī scientific study showed a clear difference between the numbers of Bifidobacterium infantis in the feces of babies in Ghana (where there is a low occurence of allergic diseases) and in the feces of children born in more affluent countries (where there are high rates of allergies). This is the best know of the single strains - many successful medical trialsīabies are born with a sterile gut but quickly develop their own population of bacteria acquired during the birthing process and then from their mother's milk and other food sources.
It comes from a well known family of probiotics - the Bifidobacteria - and is one of the best. It is one of the primary inhabitant of the digestive tract of newborn infants.
Bifidobacterium infantis is possibly the best known of the Bifidobacterium family and is essential for good health in both babies and adults.