Undoubtedly, acidophilus was the most popular name in probiotics from the early 1900s when Dr. Elie Metchnikoff identified lactobacilli as healthy flora for the well-being of the digestive tract and the longevity of life for the human race. From that time until the late 1960s, all probiotics were classified as acidophilus. However, the probiotic science and research have expanded tremendously with new discoveries and breakthroughs. Many new mutations and strains of bacteria have since then been identified to be as pwoerful as or stronger than the original acidophilus. (Note: A warning that Lactobacillus acidophilus may cause serious infection was reported by the Natural Health Remedies newsletter by Jon Barron. People that have had injury or illnesses affecting their intestinal wall are at risk of infection. It can also cause infection of the heart lining in adults. Also, patients taking prescription drugs, such as prednisone, could be vulnerable to infections.) Some of the popular known species and their functions are listed below: Lactobacillus acidophilus species exhibit an array of antimicrobial functions against many pathogenic activites. These include but are not limited to E. coli, salmonella, shigella, Helicobacter pylori, and candida.

This Lactobacillus is perhaps the most clinically studied of all probiotic organisms. L rhamnosus has very g ood adherence characteristics to the mucosal lining and exhibits extraordinary defiance towards microbial pathogens. The following pathogens were studied as being anatagonized successfully by L. Rhamnosus: E. coli, C. difficileC. albicans, Klebsiella pneumonia, S. aureus and Shigella among others. In clinical trials, L. rhamnosus has proven highly effective at reducing the risk and severity of infant diarrhea. Trials have also shown that L. rhamnosus administered prenatally to expectant mothers and postnatal to their infants significalntly lowers the risk of developing eczema during childhood.

L. gasseri exhibits good mucosal adherence, bile-tolerance, and is one of the few known bacteria capable of enzymatically binding and sustaining fructose into the beneficial prebiotic, inulin. L. gasseri I produces a number of antimicrobial substances including hydrogen peroxide. L. gasseri produces gassericin which is a killer bacteria that kills E. coli and other harmful bacteria (reported in Nature Reviews Microbiology). A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study found supplementation with a probiotic blend containing L. gasseri, B. longum, and B. bifidum significantly reduced the duration and symptom severity of common cold infections.

(paracasei and casei are not connected to casein which is a dairy derivative. All ProDermix products are dairy free) L. paracasei is an acid-tolerant organism that survives passage through the intestinal tract and promotes the growth of other lactobacilli. L. paracasei is antagonistic to Candida albicans among other pathogens. Clinical studies have documented supportive benefits of L. paracasei in conditions ranging from non-rotaviral diarrhea to allergic disorders. A prospective study examining fecal speciments of over 500 infants found colonization of the intestinal tract with L. paracasei significantly reduces the risk of atopic dermatitis.

L. salivarius is a resident of the intestinal tract with good survival and adherence characteristics. Preclinical research indicates L. saliveraius favorably modulates inflammatory and allergic reactions. In studies involving mice with allergy induced asthma, L. salivarius significantly lessened the obstructiveness of the airway passages.

(Paracasei and casei are not connected to casein which is a dairy derivative. All ProDermix products are dairy free) L. casei helps create an intestinal environment favorable to the growth of other probiotic organisms while antagonizing pathogens such as E. coli and staphylococcus aureus. Studies indicate L. casei helps improve conditions of constipation in infants and children. It has also shown to suppress allergic responses in preschool children. A double-blind, controlled clinical trial involving 231 preterm infants found supplementing of L. casei along with B. breve for the first month of life significantly reduces the risk of developing sever enterocolitis.

B. bifidum produces enzymes that help degrade dietary proteins and digestion-resistant carbohydrates such as lactose. It has a normalizing effect on colonic performance and has been shown to rapidly reduce stool frequency in infants with both rotaviral and non-rotaviral diarrhea. Studies suggest B. bifidum has important immunoregulatory effects. A controlled clinical trial involving expectant mothers with a family history of allergic disorders found administration of a formula containing B. bifidum, B. lactis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus significantly reduced the incidence of eczema in their infant offspring during the first 12 months of life.

B. breve is the predominant species of Bifidobacterium found in fecal samples of breastfed infants. Compared to other bifido bacteria, B. breve exhibits superior survival capacity in the presence of antibiotics. It also produces substantial quantities of lactase and may help mitigate symptoms of lactose intolerance. Studies also indicate B. breve may be useful as increasing antibody responses to influenza, polio, and possibly other viral organisms. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found administration of B. breve along with prebiotics significantly reduced wheezing and other respiratory symptoms in atopic infants at high risk of developing asthma.

As its name implies, B. infantis is naturally found in the intestinal tracts of infants. B. infantis is highly antagonistic to intestinal pathogens. It also has a strong suppressive effect on Bacteroides vulgatus , a bacteria thought to play an important role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

This hardy organism is acid-resistant and displays an exceptionally high adhsive capacity to human intestinal mucus. Like L. paracasei, B. lactis secretespeptidase enzymes that help facilitate the digestion of dietary allergens like casein. Added to infant formulas, B. lactis has been shown to reduce the incidence of diarrhea in residential can childcare settings and to improve weight gain in preterm, antibiotic-treated infants. In a randomized, double-blind study, administration of B. lactis to infants with atopic eczema for two months led to significant improvements in skin condition. Trials utilizing B. lactis together with B. bifidum and other probiotic organisms have likewise reported significant reductions in the incidence of eczema among high risk infants.

B. longum is among the first colonizers of the newborn intestinal tract and, like B. breve and b. infantis, predomintaes in the microflora of healthy, breastfed infants. B. longum supplementation significantly reduces diarrhea and abdominal pain for persons taking antibiotics.