Bifidobacteria and their role in human health

Abstract

There is a growing consensus on the beneficial effects of bifidobacteria in human health. It is now clear that bifidobacteria that exist in the large intestine are helpful for maintenance of human health and are far more important than Lactobacillus acidophilus as beneficial intestinal bacteria throughout human life. In other words, the reduction or disappearance of bifidobacteria in the human intestine would indicate an "unhealthy" state. Oral administration of bifidobacteria may be effective for the improvement of intestinal flora and intestinal environment, for the therapy of enteric and hepatic disorders, for stimulation of the immune response, and possibly for the prevention of cancer and slowing the aging process. However, for consistent and positive results further well-controlled studies are urgently needed. © 1990 Society for Industrial Microbiology.