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

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Synopsis

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

Bifidobacterium longum is a probiotic bacterium that has been studied for its role in supporting gut health, particularly during and after antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of healthy gut microbiota, often leading to side effects such as diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and, in some cases, Clostridioides difficile infection. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that supplementation with probiotics containing B. longum can help to restore the gut microbiota, reduce the incidence and duration of AAD, and improve overall gut function during antibiotic use.

For example, a 2017 meta-analysis in the journal Beneficial Microbes found that Bifidobacterium species, including B. longum, significantly reduced the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea compared to placebo. Other studies have shown that B. longum can help maintain intestinal barrier integrity, reduce inflammation, and support the recolonization of beneficial bacteria following antibiotic exposure. The mechanism is thought to involve competitive inhibition of pathogenic microbes, modulation of the immune response, and production of short-chain fatty acids that nourish colonocytes. While probiotic effects are strain-specific and results can vary, the evidence supporting B. longum for mitigating antibiotic side effects is relatively strong, warranting a rating of 4 out of 5 for scientific evidence.

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