Probiotic+ Prebiotic Fiber [Discontinued] by Swanson

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Colic. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis seems to be beneficial for colic. Details: Clinical research in infants with colic shows that taking B. lactis BB-12 (Chr. Hansen, Hoersholm or Bifidolactis Infant, Sofar SpA) drops providing 1 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for 3 or 4 weeks modestly reduces the daily number of crying episodes by about 2.5 when compared with placebo. The proportion of infants with at least a 50% reduction in crying time from baseline was 61% to 80%, compared with 22% to 32% of those taking placebo. Use of B. lactis also resulted in increased sleep time, reduced crying duration, and improved physical and emotional functioning of the caregiver. Stool frequency was decreased in one study, but was not changed in the other (107583,107587).
• Constipation. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis seems to be beneficial for constipation. Details: A meta-analysis of clinical research shows that taking B. lactis increases bowel movement frequency by about 1.5 stools weekly in adults with functional constipation. Specific strains used include LMG P-21384 as 5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily, Bi-07 as 100 million CFUs daily, DN-173 010 as 12.5 billion CFUs daily, and GCL2505 as 10 billion CFUs daily for 2-4 weeks (95342). Another meta-analysis of clinical research in adults with chronic constipation shows that taking B. lactis modestly increases stool frequency when compared with taking placebo. However, there was no effect of taking B. lactis on treatment success, stool consistency, severity of straining or bloating, or gut transit time. Due to the small number of studies, the effect of B. lactis on other symptoms of constipation is unclear from this analysis (110874). A third meta-analysis shows that two specific strains of B. lactis, HN019 and DN-173 010, have medium to large effects on intestinal transit time in mainly healthy adults (110983). The effect of these strains on intestinal transit time in patients with constipation is unclear from this analysis. Clinical research in patients with low defecation frequency also shows that taking the specific B. lactis strain BB-12 (Chr. Hansen A/S) 1-10 billion CFUs daily for 4 weeks increases the odds of improved defecation frequency by about 1.3-fold when compared with placebo (92264). It is possible that any beneficial effect is limited to patients with more severe constipation. One clinical study in patients with functional constipation shows that taking the specific B. lactis strain HN019, 1 or 10 billion CFUs daily for 4 weeks, has no effect on bowel movements when compared with placebo. However, in a post-hoc analysis of patients with three or less weekly stools, this strain of B. lactis modestly increased bowel movements when compared with placebo (98737). Another clinical study in patients with mild chronic constipation shows that taking B. lactis NCC2818 15 billion CFUs daily for 4 weeks does not affect gut transit time, stool output, or symptoms when compared with placebo (102411). B. lactis has also been examined in combination with other ingredients. One small clinical trial using a specific combination product (ID-HWS1000) containing B. lactis IDCC 4301, Bifidobacterium breve IDCC 4401, Lacticaseibacillus casei IDCC 3451, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IDCC 3501, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201, Lactococcus lactis IDCC 2301, xylooligosaccharide, and dietary fiber as nondigestible maltodextrin, oat fiber, and psyllium husk fiber daily for 4 weeks modestly increases stool frequency and improves symptoms of functional constipation in adults when compared with placebo (107517). Another small clinical trial shows that taking yogurt 180 mL providing B. lactis HN019, L. acidophilus NCFM, and polydextrose (Litesse) daily for 2 weeks modestly improves clinical response and reduces transit time when compared with taking a control yogurt. However, there was no effect on the number of daily bowel movements (90275). Other studies have used B. lactis UABla-12, Bl-04, Bi-07, and/or HN019 in combination with Bifidobacterium bifidum UABb-10, Bifidobacterium longum UABl-14, Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) for 4 weeks (110970) or Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Lpc-37 for 2 weeks (110979). However, there was a general lack of support for symptom improvement from these studies.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Oral Bifidobacterium lactis seems to be beneficial for reducing symptoms of IBS when used alone. Its benefits when used in combination with other probiotics are unclear. Details: Clinical research in adults with IBS shows that taking B. lactis UABla-12 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for 6 weeks modestly reduces the severity of abdominal pain when compared with placebo. Also, 28% of patients responded to treatment by having more than a 30% reduction in pain severity, compared with only 16% of those taking placebo. There were also improvements in abdominal distention, duration of pain, and bowel habits (107581). Additional clinical research in children aged 4-16 years shows that taking B. lactis B19 10 billion CFUs daily for 4 weeks reduces bloating, feelings of abdominal fullness, and difficulty with defecation in 25% to 50% of patients with IBS (95350). Some research has also evaluated B. lactis in combination with other probiotics. Clinical research shows that taking a product (Duolac Care) containing B. lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Streptococcus thermophilus twice daily for 4 weeks can relieve symptoms in 72% of patients with IBS (95353). Another clinical study in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS shows that taking a specific multi-species probiotic (NordBiotic, MBM Biotix) containing B. lactis BL040, B. breve BB010, Bifidobacterium longum BL020, Bifidobacterium bifidum BF030, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR110, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LPC100, L. acidophilus LA120, Lacticaseibacillus casei LC130, L. plantarum LP140, and Streptococcus thermophilus ST250 as 2.5 billion CFUs total twice daily for 8 weeks improves overall symptom severity, as well as pain severity, pain frequency, and quality of life when compared with placebo. Symptom severity was rated as mild by approximately 60% of those taking the probiotic mixture, compared with 30% of those taking placebo (107516). However, multiple studies show that taking capsules or drinking fermented milk containing a combination of B. lactis BB-12, L. paracasei, and L. acidophilus La510 as 26 billion CFUs total twice daily for 2-6 months does not improve gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS (90236,94696,94697).
• Respiratory tract infections. Most clinical research shows that taking Bifidobacterium lactis alone or in combination with other probiotics may reduce the risk of respiratory infections in otherwise healthy individuals. In patients who are not otherwise healthy, most clinical research shows that taking oral B. lactis has not demonstrated benefit. Details: Clinical research in infants aged 6 to 12 months shows that taking B. lactis HN019 one million colony-forming units (CFUs) per gram of follow-on formula daily for 12 weeks reduces the incidence of confirmed (9.4% vs. 0.0%) and parentally reported (25.0% vs. 9.4%) upper respiratory tract infections when compared to formula without added probiotics. Infants consumed an average of 141 grams of formula daily (110988). Another clinical trial in one month old infants shows that taking B. lactis BB-12 10 billion CFUs daily for an average of about 15 months reduces the proportion of children with respiratory tract infections until age 2 by 13% when compared with taking placebo. The frequency of recurrent respiratory tract infections was not different between groups (95381). In contrast, other clinical research in children attending day care shows that taking B. lactis BB-12 one billion CFUs daily for 3 months does not reduce the duration or incidence of respiratory tract infections (95382). Most research in children also shows that taking B. lactis in combination with other ingredients reduces the risk of respiratory infections. One clinical study shows that children ages 3-5 years who attend day-care centers have significantly fewer influenza-like respiratory symptoms when given milk containing a specific combination of 5 billion CFUs each of B. lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus (HOWARU Protect, Danisco). Children taking this product seem to have a 45% lower risk of experiencing fever, cough, and rhinorrhea when compared with placebo. The duration of symptoms was also 2 days shorter. These patients were also less likely to use an antibiotic for their symptoms (16847). A clinical study in healthy children aged 3-10 years shows that taking 12.5 billion CFUs daily of a specific combination of B. lactis CUL34 (Lab4), Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20, and L. acidophilus CUL21 and CUL60, plus vitamin C 50 mg daily reduces the risk of cough by 16% and sore throat by 20% and modestly reduces school absenteeism and antibiotic use when compared with placebo. However, nasal symptoms, fever, and wheezing were not reduced (106943). Another clinical study in children 3-12 years of age with a sick household member shows that taking a combination product (Up4-Junior, UAS Laboratories) containing B. lactis UABLA-12 4 billion CFUs and L. acidophilus DDS-1 1 billion CFUs with fructo-oligosaccharides 50 mg daily for 2 weeks modestly shortens the duration of respiratory infections, but does not reduce the risk of developing an infection, when compared with placebo (98439). In healthy children ages 3-6 years, taking a combination of B. lactis BB-12 and Enterococcus faecium L3 (iNatal Ped, Pharmextracta SpA) 2 billion CFUs each daily for 3 months reduces the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections by 84% compared with children not taking probiotics. The duration of infections was reduced by 50% (110991). The effect of B. lactis on respiratory tract infections has also been examined in adults. In healthy overweight adults or adults with obesity, taking 50 billion CFUs of a specific combination of B. lactis (Lab4P), B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum for 24 weeks reduces the overall likelihood of having upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, such as sneezing, cough, and blocked nose, by approximately 40% when compared with placebo (103439). In college students, clinical research shows that taking B. lactis BB-12 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LGG one billion CFUs each daily for 12 weeks reduces the duration of upper respiratory tract infection by about 2 days when compared with placebo. Symptom severity was reduced by 34%. There was also a small reduction in the number of missed school days, but not work days (110993). Some research has investigated the effects of B. lactis on respiratory tract infection outcomes in patients who are not otherwise healthy. One clinical trial in children hospitalized with an acute respiratory tract infection shows that taking B. lactis Probio-M8 20 billion CFUs daily from admission until 4 weeks after discharge modestly reduces the duration of nasal, throat, and general aching symptoms when compared with taking placebo. Taking B. lactis also modestly reduced the proportion of patients requiring hospitalization of at least 7 days (110984). Despite these findings, another clinical trial in children and adolescents who are hospitalized shows that taking B. lactis 100 million CFUs daily during a hospital stay does not reduce the incidence or duration of respiratory infections, including common cold, rhinitis, sinusitis, and others, when compared with placebo (92265). Also, in older adults in long-term care, taking a combination of B. lactis BB-12 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 13-16 billion CFUs daily does not reduce the incidence of upper or lower respiratory infections when compared with placebo over a 12-month period, and increases the use of antibiotics for lower respiratory tract infections by 2.2 days (103425).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Dental caries. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis does not seem to be beneficial for preventing dental caries in young children. Details: Clinical research in infants shows that giving B. lactis BB-12 DSM 15954 (Chr. Hansen A/S) 5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily, starting at age 1-2 months and continuing for an average of 15 months, through a sustained-release pacifier or tablet does not reduce the incidence of dental caries at age 4 when compared with placebo (107588).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research in children aged 6-17 years with allergic rhinitis shows that taking a specific combination product (Inatal ped Pharmaextracta) containing B. lactis BB-12 DSM 15954 and Enterococcus faecium L3 LMG P-27496 2 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) each with oligofructose daily for 3 months prior to a high allergen exposure period the period modestly reduces symptoms of allergic rhinitis and the need for corticosteroids and/or oral antihistamines when compared with baseline (107582). However, other clinical research shows that drinking 250 mL of fermented milk containing B. lactis BB-12 50 billion CFUs, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG 50 billion CFUs, and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 5 billion CFUs from 36 weeks' gestation until 3 months postpartum does not reduce the incidence of allergic rhinitis in the child at 6 years of age when compared with placebo milk (96893).
• Antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A meta-analysis of 6 clinical trials in hospitalized or outpatient adults shows that taking B. lactis in combination with up to 8 other probiotic strains reduces the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 30% when compared with taking placebo (107635). However, individual clinical trials have mixed results. Some specific combination products containing B. bifidum have shown benefit for antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). One such product is Ecologic AAD, which contains B. lactis NIZO 3680, Bifidobacterium bifidum NIZO 3804, Enterococcus faecium NIZO 3886, L. acidophilus NIZO 3678 and NIZO 3887, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NIZO 3672, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NIZO 3684, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NIZO 3689, and Ligilactobacillus salivarius NIZO 3675. Another evaluated product contains B. lactis BB-12 5.9 billion CFUs daily, L. rhamnosus GG 5.2 billion CFUs, and L. acidophilus La-5 8.3 billion CFUs daily. However, other combinations do not appear to be beneficial. These include B. lactis BB-12 and L. acidophilus LA-5; B. lactis BB-12 and L. rhamnosus; B. lactis, B. bifidum, and L. acidophilus; and B. lactis W51, B. bifidum W23, L. acidophilus W37, L. acidophilus W55, L. paracasei W20, L. plantarum W62, L. rhamnosus W71, and L. salivarius W24 (90239,92255,94692,95348,95405,103425,110969). It is too soon to know which combinations might be most beneficial, if any, for preventing AAD.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for the prevention or treatment of atopic dermatitis. Details: Some research has evaluated B. lactis for TREATING atopic dermatitis. One very small clinical study shows that giving infants a formula containing B. lactis BB-12 (Chr. Hansen A/S) 30-80 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily helps reduce the severity of eczema and the markers for allergic responses, including soluble CD4 in serum and eosinophilic protein X in urine when compared with baseline (3458). However, preliminary clinical research shows that giving B. lactis CNCM I-3446 10 billion CFUs to infants as an adjunct to standard topical treatment daily for 3 months does not reduce eczema severity when compared with placebo (90256). B. lactis has also been investigated in combination with other ingredients. In children, taking B. lactis as part of a multi-ingredient formulation for 8 or 12 weeks modestly reduces symptom severity and the need for topical corticosteroids when compared with placebo (107531,110995). In these studies, 1 billion CFUs of a 1:1:1 combination of B. lactis CECT 8145, Lacticaseibacillus casei CECT 9104, and Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 daily was used in children ages 4-17 years for 12 weeks (107531) or B. lactis UABLA-12 was taken in combination with Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 for a total of 10 billion CFUs daily along with fructo-oligosaccharide 100 mg (DDS Junior) daily for 8 weeks by children ages 1-3 years (110995). B. lactis-containing probiotics have also been investigated for PREVENTING atopic dermatitis. A meta-analysis of small- to medium-sized studies shows that providing mixed strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria to infants during pregnancy and/or in early infancy prevents atopic dermatitis in the child by approximately 40% over the next 0.5-2 years (107503). Although this analysis was not limited to studies examining the effects of B. lactis, seven of the nine studies used B. lactis as part of a combination product. Individual studies included in the analysis have shown that taking a combination of B. lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Ligilactobacillus salivarius, and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei during pregnancy from approximately 35 weeks' gestation until birth, and then giving this combination to the infant after birth until 6 months of age, does not reduce the incidence of eczema at age 2 years, although it does appear to reduce the risk of atopic sensitization by 57% (90234). A secondary analysis of a clinical study included in this analysis in infants aged 8-14 months found that taking a daily mixture of B. lactis and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 1 billion CFUs each daily for 6 months is associated with a lower incidence of eczema when compared with placebo (102286). Also, some clinical research shows that supplementation with 250 mL of fermented milk containing B. lactis BB-12, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 starting at 36 weeks' gestation and continuing until 3 months postpartum, without supplementation in the infant, reduces the overall occurrence of atopic dermatitis in the child at 2 years of age. At 6 years of age, the effect appears to be inconclusive (96893).
• Bipolar disorder. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical study in patients with bipolar disorder who were recently hospitalized for a manic episode shows that taking a combination probiotic containing B. lactis BB-12 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG 100 million colony-forming units daily for 24 weeks reduces the risk of rehospitalization when compared with placebo. The hazard ratio for the first rehospitalization due to worsening of psychiatric symptoms was 0.37 for the combination probiotic group when compared with placebo. Among patients who were re-hospitalized, taking the combination probiotic reduced the mean duration of rehospitalization by 5.4 days when compared with placebo (96896).
• Cancer. Although there has been interest in using oral Bifidobacterium lactis for cancer prevention or treatment, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of B. lactis for this condition.
• Canker sores. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: One small study shows that taking a combination of B. lactis, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus reduces pain, but does not affect the number of lesions or healing time, when compared with placebo. Also, another small study shows that using lozenges providing inulin 0.13 gram along with B. lactis and L. acidophilus 1.5 billion colony-forming units each reduces pain, but does not affect ulcer size or healing, when compared with Oracure gel (105146).
• Child development. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: An 11-year follow-up study evaluating B. lactis and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus taken daily during pregnancy from 35 weeks' gestation until birth, or six months after birth if breastfeeding, and then giving the same supplement to the infant until 2 years of age, does not affect neurocognitive outcomes such as attention, intelligence, executive function, depression, and anxiety when compared with those taking placebo (102287).
• Clostridioides difficile infection. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A large clinical study in inpatients aged 65 years or older shows that taking a combination of B. lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidium, and Lactobacillus acidophilus 60 billion colony-forming units daily for 21 days does not reduce the incidence of C. difficile diarrhea when compared with placebo (92255). Other combinations also do not appear to be beneficial, including a combination of B. lactis Bi-04, B. lactis Bi-07, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, as well as a combination of B. lactis Bb-12, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, and L. acidophilus La-5 (95364).
• Critical illness (trauma). Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Clinical research in multi-trauma patients requiring ventilation shows that taking a combination probiotic containing B. lactis twice daily for 15 days modestly reduces the risk of sepsis, as well as the length of stay in the ICU and hospital, when compared with placebo. The product contained B. lactis BB12 1.75 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) in combination with Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 1.75 billion CFUs, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 500 million CFUs, and Saccharomyces boulardii 1.5 billion CFUs. Half of the dose was given onto the oropharynx and half via a nasogastric tube (107524).
• Dental plaque. It is unclear if Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for preventing dental plaque. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that consuming a yogurt supplemented with B. lactis DN-173010 100 million colony-forming units daily between breakfast and lunch for 4 weeks does not prevent gingivitis or plaque when compared with a placebo yogurt. However, following a non-brushing period of 5 days, both gingivitis and plaque were modestly reduced in individuals consuming the B. lactis-containing yogurt (98502). Clinical research in adolescent boys aged 13-15 years with mild to moderate gingival inflammation shows that taking two lozenges containing B. lactis BB-12 (Chr. Hansen A/S) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (Probiotical SpA) twice daily for 4 weeks does not reduce plaque when compared with placebo. However, there was a benefit on levels of some salivary and plaque pathogenic bacteria. Each lozenge provided B. lactis BB-12 470 million colony-forming units (CFUs) and L. rhamnosus 440 million CFUs (107574). Conversely, a small clinical trial in healthy adults shows that taking four lozenges daily providing a total daily dose of 2 billion CFUs each of B. lactis BB-12 DSM 15954 (Chr. Hansen A/S) and L. rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 (Probiotical SpA) for 4 weeks modestly reduces plaque when compared with placebo (107572).
• Diabetes. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A meta-analysis of four clinical trials shows that taking probiotics during pregnancy is unlikely to prevent gestational diabetes and increases the risk of pre-eclampsia by 85% when compared with placebo. Although the specific effects of B. lactis are unclear from this analysis, three of the included studies used B. lactis in combination with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (105185). Other clinical research that has found no benefit has used B. lactis BB-12 and L. rhamnosus GG at least 1 billion CFUs daily from 16-20 weeks' gestation until 28 weeks' gestation, or B. lactis 420 DSM 22089 (Dupont Nutrition & Health) and L. rhamnosus HN001 ATCC SD5675 as 10 billion CFUs each daily throughout pregnancy, with or without fish oil (102284,105144). Conversely, one small clinical study in adults with gestational diabetes shows that taking a combination of B. lactis BB-12, Streptococcus thermophilus STY-31, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus LBY-27 for 8 weeks, starting at 24-28 weeks' gestation, modestly reduces fasting blood glucose and improves insulin sensitively when compared with placebo (96892). In children aged 8-17 years with type I diabetes, taking B. lactis Bb12 DSM 15954 and L. rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 1 billion CFUs daily for 6 months does not reduce insulin requirements or levels of glycated hemoglobin over 12 months when compared with placebo. In addition, C-peptide levels and the maintenance of residual pancreatic beta-cell function were not affected (107518). A small clinical trial in adults with type 2 diabetes shows that taking fermented goat milk 120 grams containing one billion colony-forming units each of B. lactis BB-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 daily for 6 weeks modestly reduces levels of glycated hemoglobin and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, but not fasting blood glucose or insulin resistance, when compared with conventional fermented milk containing Streptococcus thermophilus TA-40 (110973).
• Diarrhea. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for the treatment or prevention of diarrhea. Details: The European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases recommends probiotics in hospitalized children with diarrhea (98469) and the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) recommends probiotics for the outpatient treatment of acute diarrhea (95388). However, B. lactis is not a specific focus of the guidelines and most evidence is low quality. Clinical research shows that B. lactis reduces the duration of acute diarrhea in children by about one day (107636). In older adults in long-term care, clinical research shows that taking a combination of B. lactis BB-12 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 13-16 billion colony-forming units daily does not reduce the incidence or duration of diarrhea over a 12-month period when compared with placebo (103425).
• Familial hypercholesterolemia. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research in children 6-18 years of age with high cholesterol shows that taking a probiotic containing B. lactis MB 2409, Bifidobacterium bifidum MB 109, and Bifidobacterium longum BL04 daily for 12 weeks decreases total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels by 2% to 3% and increases HDL cholesterol levels by about 2% when compared with placebo. However, these changes might not be considered clinically significant (98736).
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical trial in patients newly diagnosed with GAD shows that taking sertraline 25 mg plus probiotics daily for 8 weeks may modestly reduce some symptoms of anxiety when compared with sertraline alone. However, the reduction in anxiety score was small and change was not consistent between rating scales. Also, the quality of life was not improved. The probiotics provided a total of 18 billion colony-forming units of B. lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus (110977).
• Gingivitis. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for gingivitis. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that consuming a yogurt supplemented with B. lactis DN-173010 100 million colony-forming units (CFUs) daily between breakfast and lunch for 4 weeks does not prevent gingivitis or plaque when compared with a placebo yogurt. However, following a non-brushing period of 5 days, both gingivitis and plaque were modestly reduced in individuals consuming the B. lactis-containing yogurt (98502). Another clinical trial following cleaning in patients with gingivitis shows that taking lozenges containing B. lactis HN019 (HOWARU Bifdo LYO 40 DCU-S, Danisco) one billion CFUs twice daily for 8 weeks increases the proportion of patients without generalized gingivitis by almost 50%, and modestly reduces bleeding with probing and gingivitis severity, compared with placebo lozenges. There was no effect on plaque (110992). B. lactis has also been investigated in combination with other ingredients. Clinical research in adolescent boys aged 13-15 years with mild to moderate gingival inflammation shows that taking two lozenges containing B. lactis BB-12 (Chr. Hansen A/S) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (Probiotical SpA) twice daily for 4 weeks modestly reduces gingivitis when compared with placebo. Each lozenge provided B. lactis BB-12 480 million colony-forming units (CFUs) and L. rhamnosus 440 million CFUs (107574). A small clinical trial in healthy adults shows that taking four lozenges daily providing a total daily dose of 2 billion CFUs each of B. lactis BB-12 DSM 15954 (Chr. Hansen A/S) and L. rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 (Probiotical SpA) for 4 weeks modestly reduces plaque and gingivitis when compared with placebo (107572).
• Helicobacter pylori. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for H. pylori; some research suggests that B. lactis may minimize the adverse effects of H. pylori eradication therapy, but not all research agrees. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that adding B. lactis B94 7 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily to sequential H. pylori eradication therapy for 2 weeks results in an eradication rate of 87%, compared with 71% of those taking placebo or using no control along with sequential eradication therapy. Use of B. lactis also reduced treatment non-compliance due to diarrhea during the first week and reduced symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain. In order to have one beneficial outcome, 6.2 patients would need to take B. lactis. There was no overall effect on non-compliance related to diarrhea or to skin rash (107589). Another clinical study shows that taking a specific combination of B. lactis and a lactobacilli species (Ferzym, Specchiasol) 5 billion CFUs daily for one week during standard triple therapy and one week thereafter reduces some treatment-related adverse effects such as taste disturbances and diarrhea, although it does not seem to improve compliance (12763). However, there was no difference in eradication rates or symptom relief in children aged 6-16 years taking B. lactis B94 5 billion CFUs daily plus inulin 900 mg for 14 days along with standard triple therapy (107590). Discrepancies may be related to the population studied or to the B. lactis strain, the other ingredients, or the type of H. pylori treatment used in the available research.
• Hypercholesterolemia. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A meta-analysis of nine small to moderate-sized clinical studies shows that taking a combination of B. lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus reduces levels of total cholesterol when compared with placebo (107591). Populations in the included clinical trials enrolled patients with hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic syndrome, and others. The benefits of B. lactis in patients with hypercholesterolemia are unclear.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small preliminary clinical trial shows that taking 10 billion colony-forming units each of B. lactis BB-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 twice daily for 12 weeks does not increase the proportion of patients with a reduction in weekly bowel frequency of at least 50% when compared with placebo. Also, there was no effect of this combination on stool consistency or abdominal symptoms. However, there were some modest benefits when compared with baseline (110999). This study was small and may have been underpowered to detect differences.
• Malnourishment-related diarrhea. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Clinical research in children aged 6 months to 4 years of age hospitalized with severe acute malnutrition shows that taking B. lactis BB-12 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LGG 5 billion colony-forming units each daily during hospitalization and for 8-12 weeks as an outpatient does not affect diarrhea incidence or severity or the number of days with diarrhea during hospitalization. However, the number of days with diarrhea as an outpatient was reduced by 2.2 days (110996).
• Malnutrition. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Clinical research in children aged 6 months to 4 years of age hospitalized with severe acute malnutrition shows that taking B. lactis BB-12 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LGG 5 billion colony-forming units each daily during hospitalization and for 8-12 weeks as an outpatient does not affect pneumonia incidence, duration, or severity, weight gain, duration of hospitalization, or other outcomes (110996).
• Metabolic syndrome. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for metabolic syndrome. Details: In patients with metabolic syndrome, preliminary clinical research shows that taking fermented milk 80 mL providing B. lactis HN019 27.2 billion colony-forming units daily for 45 days reduces body mass index by approximately 4% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by approximately 14% when compared with no treatment. There was no effect on waist circumference, glucose control, or other blood lipids (105154).
• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial or safe for NEC prevention. Details: Meta-analyses of clinical research generally show that giving various bifidobacteria species alone does NOT reduce the risk of NEC or all-cause mortality. However, only a few of the studies included in these analyses have used B. lactis (95344,95351,103437,105164). A systematic review of four studies using B. lactis shows that although NEC incidence is reduced by 89% in one study, a significant reduction was not identified in the other studies when compared with placebo (107592). A network meta-analysis of two clinical studies shows that taking a combination probiotic containing B. lactis Bb-12, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis Bb-02, and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4, reduces the risk of NEC by 71% when compared with control (102437). Despite these findings, guidance among regulatory agencies and clinical organizations varies with respect to the use of probiotics in very low birth weight infants under 1000 grams. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that preterm infants given probiotics are at risk of serious infections caused by the bacteria or fungi contained in probiotics due to cases reported in this group of infants (111610). Also, The American Academy of Pediatrics does not support the routine administration of probiotics to preterm infants, particularly those with a birth weight below 1000 grams, due to conflicting data on safety and efficacy and potential for harm in this vulnerable population (111608). The Canadian Paediatric Society, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition state that probiotic combinations may be of benefit in reducing the incidence of NEC in preterm neonates over 1000 grams. However, B. lactis is not specifically recommended (103003,111609,111611).
• Neonatal jaundice. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for neonatal jaundice. Details: Clinical research in newborns with jaundice shows that taking B. lactis CP-9 5 billion colony-forming units twice daily during conventional phototherapy treatment reduces the duration of phototherapy by about 13 hours and modestly improves the decline in serum bilirubin when compared with taking placebo. A sub-analysis shows that this benefit is limited to full-term, and not preterm, newborns (110987).
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: In children with NAFLD, clinical research shows that taking a specific combination (Prokid, Gostaresh Milad Pouya Company) containing B. lactis DSMZ 32269 6 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC B3208 3 billion CFUs, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus DSMZ 21690 2 billion CFUs, and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATCC SD6576 2 billion CFUs daily for 12 weeks normalizes liver sonography findings in 53% of children, compared with 17% of those taking placebo. In addition, levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase are reduced by 30% and 25%, respectively. There was no effect on body mass index or blood lipids when compared with placebo (105156). However, other research in adults with NAFLD shows that taking probiotic yogurt 100 grams fortified with vitamin D 1000 IU plus B. lactis Bb-12 and L. acidophilus 40 million CFUs daily for 3 months does not improve fasting blood glucose levels, insulin levels, blood pressure, or anthropometric indices when compared with unfortified yogurt (105174).
• Obesity. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for weight loss. Details: Clinical research in overweight and obese adults shows that taking B. lactis 420 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for 6 months does not reduce body fat or body weight when compared with placebo (95356). However, in individuals with abdominal obesity, clinical research shows that taking B. lactis CECT 8145 (Ba8145) 10 billion CFUs for 3 months modestly decreases body mass index (BMI) when compared with placebo. Also, taking heat-killed B. lactis CECT 8145 (Ba8145) 10 billion CFUs modestly decreases waist circumference when compared with placebo. Sub-group analyses show that these benefits occur only in females, and there was no effect of these products on the visceral or subcutaneous fat areas when compared with placebo (105551). Another clinical trial shows that taking 10 billion colony-forming units each of B. lactis 420 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 daily, alone and with fish oil providing eicosapentaenoic acid 0.22 grams and docosahexaenoic acid 1.9 grams (Croda Europe Ltd.), during pregnancy and for 6 months postpartum, reduces the odds of overweight at 24 months by approximately 64% or 78%, respectively, when compared with taking placebo (110336). When taken in combination with Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02, B. lactis BS01 2 billion CFUs daily for 6 weeks does not reduce body weight or body fat when compared with placebo in young, healthy individuals, only some of whom were overweight (103438). In contrast to these findings, clinical research shows that taking 50 billion CFUs of a specific combination of B. lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, L. acidophilus, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lab4P) for 24 weeks reduces body weight by an additional 1.3 kg more than placebo (103439). Heat-killed B. lactis has also been investigated in combination with other ingredientd. Clinical research shows that taking enriched seafood sticks 50 grams daily providing heat-inactivated B. lactis CECT 8145 5 billion colony-forming units, inulin 1.7 grams, and eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid 370 mg daily for 12 weeks does not reduce body weight, body fat, blood pressure, or most lipid or glycemic indices, when compared to taking conventional seafood sticks. There was a modest decrease in insulin levels in males (110997).
• Oropharyngeal candidiasis. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: In older adults in long-term care, clinical research shows that taking a combination of B. lactis BB-12 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 13-16 billion colony-forming units daily does not reduce the incidence of oropharyngeal candidiasis when compared with placebo over a 12-month period (103425).
• Otitis media. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for preventing otitis media. Details: Clinical research in one month old infants shows that taking B. lactis BB-12 10 billion colony-forming units daily for an average of about 15 months does not reduce the proportion of children with otitis media by two years of age when compared with taking placebo (95381).
• Periodontitis. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for periodontitis. Details: In patients with periodontitis, a small clinical trial shows that taking B. lactis HN019 lozenges providing 1 billion colony-forming units twice daily (HOWARU1 Bifido LYO 40 DCU-S, DuPont Danisco Sweeteners Oy) for 30 days after scaling and root planing modestly improves some measures of periodontitis 60 days after treatment completion, including pocket depth and clinical attachment, when compared with using placebo lozenges. In addition, although the risk for disease progression was not improved when compared with placebo, there was a reduction in the need for additional therapy in at least three sites (105157,105158,107622).
• Postoperative bowel function. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for improving postoperative bowel function. Details: Clinical research in patients undergoing colorectal polyp resection shows that taking B. lactis MH-02 2 billion colony-forming units daily for 7 days postoperatively does not reduce total postoperative gastrointestinal symptom severity when compared with taking placebo. However, the time to recovery of bowel function was reduced by about 0.7 days and there were modest improvements in defecation difficulty (110985).
• Postpartum depression. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Clinical research shows that taking a combination of B. lactis 420 DSM 22,089 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 ATCC SD5675 (Dupont Nutrition & Health) 10 billion CFUs daily, alone or with fish oil providing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 0.44 grams and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 3.8 grams daily, does not reduce symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety when compared with placebo. Supplements were started in the second trimester of pregnancy and continued until 6 months after delivery (107496).
• Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for PWS. Details: A small clinical trial in children with PWS shows that taking B. lactis BPL1 CECT8145 (Archer Daniels Midland Co-Biópolis) 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for 12 weeks does not improve fat mass, abdominal adiposity, lipid profile, blood pressure, or glucose control when compared with placebo. However, there was a small improvement in insulin levels and measures of insulin resistance. Also, abdominal adiposity was modestly improved in a sub-group of patients over age 4.5 years, the age at which excessive weight gain typically starts in this population (105149). Other clinical research in children with PWS shows that taking B. lactis BL-11 (Beijing Huayuan Academy of Biotechnology) 30 billion CFUs twice daily for 12 weeks does not affect weight or psychological outcomes, including behavior, communication, and motor skills, when compared with placebo. However, height and overall clinical impression were modestly improved (107585).
• Pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small preliminary clinical trial shows that taking probiotics during pregnancy reduces the severity and duration of nausea and vomiting by 16% to 54%. There was also a small benefit on stool hardness. A specific probiotic (Probiotics 10, Nature's Bounty) was taken as 2 capsules daily for two back-to-back cycles comprised of six days with probiotics and two days without. Each capsule contained a total of 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of B. lactis Bl-04, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v and DSM 15312, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus Lb-87, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DSM 13434 and Lpc-37, Ligilactobacillus salivarius Ls-33, Levilactobacillus brevis Lbr-35, Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, and Lacticaseibacillus casei Lc-11, along with inulin 200 mg (107199).
• Prematurity. It is unclear if oral Bifidobacterium lactis is beneficial for preventing infections in premature infants. Details: A small clinical trial in very low birth weight premature infants shows that taking B. lactis BB-12 two billion colony-forming units per kg six times daily from birth for 6 weeks does not reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections when compared with taking placebo (110994). This study may have been too small to detect differences.
• Psoriasis. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Clinical research in patients with psoriasis shows that taking a mixture of probiotics for 8 weeks modestly improves overall disease symptoms and feelings of depression when compared with placebo. The percentage of patients achieving at least a 50% or 75% reduction in overall symptom score was 40% and 24%, respectively, compared with 16% and 8% of those taking placebo. The probiotic was taken twice daily and provided a total daily dose of 2.6 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of B. lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus (107498).
• Radiation-induced diarrhea. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical study in patients with cervical cancer receiving radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy shows that taking a specific product (Biogurt, Fame Pharmaceuticals) containing B. lactis BB-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 1.75 billion lyophilized live colony-forming units in a capsule three times daily throughout radiation treatment reduces the risk of diarrhea by 28% when compared with placebo. Taking probiotics also reduced the use of loperamide when compared with placebo (102285).
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although there has been interest in using oral Bifidobacterium lactis for RA, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of B. lactis for this condition.
• Rotaviral diarrhea. It is unclear if oral B. lactis is beneficial for rotaviral diarrhea. Details: Small clinical studies show that giving B. lactis BB-12 alone or along with Streptococcus thermophilus may help reduce the incidence of diarrhea and rotavirus shedding in infants and children up to 36 months old (3169).
• Ulcerative colitis. Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical trial shows that taking a specific product (Probio-Tec AB-25) containing B. lactis BB-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 is not beneficial for preventing relapse in patients with ulcerative colitis when compared with placebo (95338).
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients in adults and children; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: In children aged 4 months to 5 years with a previous UTI, clinical research shows that taking a specific combination (Complete Probiotic Platinum) of B. lactis 750 million colony-forming units (CFUs), Bifidobacterium bifidum 200 million CFUs, Lactobacillus acidophilus 750 million CFUs, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 50 million CFUs per kg twice daily for 18 months increases the median time to the first incidence of recurrence by approximately 3 months and increases the percentage of children without a UTI during the study period from 83% to 97% (103436). However, in older adults in long-term care, taking a combination of B. lactis BB-12 and L. rhamnosus 13-16 billion CFUs daily does not reduce the incidence of UTI when compared with placebo over a 12-month period (103425).
• Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Oral Bifidobacterium lactis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Clinical research shows that taking B. lactis BB12 1.75 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 1.75 billion CFUs, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 500 million CFUs, and Saccharomyces boulardii 1.5 billion CFUs twice daily for 15 days reduces the risk of VAP to 12%, compared with 28% of patients taking placebo. Half of the dose was given onto the oropharynx and half via a nasogastric tube (107524). More evidence is needed to rate Bifidobacterium lactis for these uses.

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INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Constipation. Small clinical studies suggest that oral FOS may modestly improve symptoms in patients with constipation when used in combination with probiotics. The benefits of FOS when used alone are unclear. Details: Most clinical research has evaluated the use of FOS for constipation in conjunction with probiotics. Preliminary clinical research in adults with chronic functional constipation shows that taking an unspecified dose of a specific product (Hexbio) consisting of FOS, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lactococcus lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium infantis orally twice daily for 7 days increases defecation frequency by 3-fold when compared with placebo. Taking this product also improved patient reported symptoms of straining, lumpy hard stools, and incomplete evacuation sensations (90266). Other clinical research in adult females with constipation shows that taking a different product (Lactofos, SKL Functional Nutrition Ltda.) containing FOS 6 grams and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium lactis 0.1-1 billion colony-forming units each, orally twice daily for 30 days, modestly increases the frequency of evacuation and decreases constipation severity when compared with placebo (90300). It is unclear if these effects are due to FOS, other ingredients, or the combination. In children aged 4-8 years with functional constipation, preliminary clinical research shows that taking a mixture of FOS 0.45 grams and polydextrose 4.17 grams orally daily for 45 days improves the weekly frequency of bowel movements, clinical manifestations of constipation, and quality of stool type when compared with baseline (106482). It is unclear if these effects are due to FOS, polydextrose, or the combination. Additionally, the validity of these findings is limited by the lack of a comparator group. Clinical research evaluating the use of FOS alone is limited. Preliminary clinical research in elderly males shows that taking FOS alone 3-10 grams daily for 30 days increases the frequency of defecation by 1.5-fold when compared with baseline (8505). The validity of this study is limited by the lack of a comparator group. In non-breastfeeding infants 6-24 months of age with constipation, preliminary clinical research shows that fortifying formula or milk with FOS daily for 4 weeks increases the frequency of soft stools by 33% and decreases the frequency of straining by 55% when compared with placebo. However, the use of FOS did not increase the percentage of infants who achieved normal bowel pattern. The daily dose of FOS was 6 grams for infants 6-8.9 kg, 9 grams for infants 9-11.9 kg, and 12 grams for infants over 12 kg (98651).
• Diabetes. Oral FOS has only been evaluated in combination with probiotics; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research in adults with type 2 diabetes shows that taking a combination product containing FOS 500 mg, Bacillus coagulans 100 billion spores, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), and Lactobacillus acidophilus 1 billion CFUs once daily for 12 weeks reduces fasting blood glucose by 17 mg/dL, compared with an increase of 3 mg/dL with placebo. However, taking this product did not affect body weight, waist circumference, or cholesterol levels. It is unclear if this effect is due to FOS, other ingredients, or the combination (107731).
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). It is unclear if oral FOS is beneficial in patients undergoing HSCT. Details: Preliminary clinical research in patients undergoing an allogeneic HSCT shows that taking a specific oral FOS supplement, (Fibrulose F97, Cosucra Groupe) 5-15 grams daily for 21 days, beginning 5 days before transplant, does not reduce acute graft-versus-host disease, blood stream infections, or Clostridioides difficile infections or improve overall survival when compared with control (107931). However, this study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups.
• Hypercholesterolemia. Although there has been interest in using oral FOS for hypercholesterolemia, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of FOS for this purpose.
• Obesity. Although there has been interest in using oral FOS for obesity, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of FOS for this purpose.
• Osteoporosis. Oral FOS has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research in postmenopausal adults shows that taking a specific FOS product (NutraFlora, Ingredion Inc.) 3.2 grams plus calcium 800 mg daily for 24 months reduces the decline in total-body bone mineral density (BMD) when compared with calcium alone, but not when compared with a maltodextrin control. In a subgroup of patients with osteopenia, this combination reduced the decline in BMD in the lumbar vertebrae when compared with calcium alone or a maltodextrin control (94931).
• Travelers' diarrhea. It is unclear if oral FOS is beneficial for preventing traveler's' diarrhea. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking FOS 10 grams orally daily for 4 weeks, starting 2 weeks before traveling to a medium- to high-risk destination, does not reduce the incidence of travelers' diarrhea when compared with placebo (10373). However, the study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups. More evidence is needed to rate FOS for these uses.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. Bifidobacterium lactis has been safely used alone or in combination with other probiotics in clinical trials lasting up to 12 weeks (92255,98502,105158,107572,107581,107586,110979,110985,110986,110992)(110993,110998,110999).

CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately in children of most ages. Bifidobacterium lactis has been safely used alone or in combination with other probiotics in infants and children for up to 15 months (3169,3458,92265,95381,95382,98736,105149,107582,107583,107585)(107587,107590,110984,110987,110988,110991,110994,110995). A combination probiotic containing B. lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus (HOWARU Protect, Danisco) has been used safely for up to 6 months in children aged 3-5 years (16847). A specific combination of B. lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and L. acidophilus (Complete Probiotic Platinum) has also been used safely for up to 18 months in children aged 4 months to 5 years (103436). In addition, in children ages 4-17 years, 1 billion CFUs of a 1:1:1 combination of B. lactis CECT 8145, Lacticasebacillus casei CECT 9104, and Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 has been used safely for 12 weeks (107531). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of B. lactis in preterm infants with a birth weight under 1000 grams. Cases of bacteremia have occurred rarely in preterm infants given other probiotics (102416,111610,111612,111613,111850,111852,111853). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about cases of serious infections caused by probiotics reported in very preterm or very low birth weight infants under 1000 grams (111610). Similarly, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not support the routine administration of probiotics to these infants due to conflicting data on safety and efficacy (111608).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available. A meta-analysis of four clinical trials shows that taking probiotics during pregnancy increases the relative risk of pre-eclampsia by 85% when compared with placebo. Although the specific effects of Bifidobacterium lactis are unclear from this analysis, three of the included studies used B. lactis in combination with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (105185). More information is needed to determine if certain patients are at increased risk.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately, alone or in combination with probiotics, in doses up to 30 grams daily for up to 4 weeks (741,745,8505,90266,107729,107931). ...when a specific FOS product (NutraFlora, Ingredion Inc.) is used orally in combination with calcium at doses up to 3.2 grams daily for up to 24 months (94931).

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when short-chain FOS are included in approved infant formulas for healthy term infants at a level of up to 4 grams/L or 1 gram/kg daily (94929,94930,98651).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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ANTIBIOTIC DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, taking Bifidobacterium lactis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B. lactis.  Details Since B. lactis preparations usually contain live and active organisms, simultaneously taking antibiotics might kill a significant number of the organisms (1740,22802). Tell patients to separate administration of antibiotics and B. lactis preparations by at least 2 hours.

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General ...Orally, Bifidobacterium lactis seems to be well tolerated by most patients.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Diarrhea.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: There is concern that probiotics may cause infections in some people.

Dermatologic ...In clinical research, two cases of rash, one with itching, were reported by patients taking a combination of Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei F19, and Lactobacillus acidophilus La5. However, it is not clear if these adverse effects were due to B. lactis, other probiotics, or the combination, or if the events were idiosyncratic (90236).

Gastrointestinal ...Bloating and flatulence have been reported with probiotic use; however, these adverse effects have not been reported from ingestion of Bifidobacterium lactis in particular. When taken orally, B. lactis can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal complaints in children (3169,95381,105149). Gastrointestinal complaints including worsening diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, stomach burn, and flatulence have been reported rarely (110986,110999).

Immunologic ...There have been cases of Bifidobacterium bacteremia in critically ill patients (102416,107599). These cases are rare and none seem to be due to Bifidobacterium lactis alone.
A specific preparation (NBL probiotic ATP, Nobel) containing B. lactis, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, fructo-oligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides, colostrum, and lactoferrin was found to be a significant risk factor for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonization in premature infants. Although there was no direct link to determine causation, it was hypothesized that the probiotic mixture helped to mediate the acquisition and transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (96890).

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General ...Orally, FOS are generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence.

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, FOS may cause flatulence, belching, abdominal pain, intestinal sounds, constipation, and bloating. These symptoms can occur commonly in some patients, but are generally mild at doses under 10 grams per day (745,750,8509,98651,107931). However, a meta-analysis of 8 small clinical studies shows that taking FOS at doses ranging from 2.5 grams to 15 grams daily for up to 8 weeks does not increase the rate of abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, or intestinal sounds when compared with control groups (110710).

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