Bifidobacterium, BB-12® | The Probiotics Institute by Chr. Hansen Inc.

25 Feb 2020

6 Min read

Bifidobacterium, BB-12^® (hereafter referred to by the trademark BB-12^®) has been scientifically investigated in published studies and has been used worldwide since 1986 with no safety concerns. It has been associated with immune system and digestive support in children and adults (alone, or in combination with other probiotic strains).

Fact

Bifidobacterium, BB-12^® has been investigated in human clinical studies where it has been associated with digestive and immune defense support

Chr. Hansen Bifidobacterium, BB-12^®

Bifidobacteria were discovered and isolated from the stool sample of a breastfed baby in 1899.¹ The Chr. Hansen Bifidobacterium, BB-12^® originates from our collection of dairy cultures, and is used in baby formula, dietary supplements and fermented milk products (such as yogurt) worldwide.

The BB-12^® strain has been described in over 300 scientific publications, making the BB-12^® strain the world’s most documented probiotic bifidobacterium. More than 100 of these publications are from human clinical trials that have investigated the impact of BB-12^® across various areas of health, in people ranging from newborn preterm babies to the elderly.

The world's most documented

Bifidobacterium

More than

clinical study
publications

Happy healthy baby BB-12 probiotic strain

**In clinical studies, Bifidobacterium, BB-12^® has been associated with beneficial effects across different areas of health**

Infants and children

Digestive system health^†
Associated with softer and more frequent bowel movements,²shorter episodes of diarrhea,³ and a reduction in how often acute episodes of diarrhea occur^{3, 4}

Excessive crying and fussing*
Associated with a significant reduction in excessive crying and fussing in babies.⁵

Respiratory system health^†
Associated with reduction in how often respiratory discomfort occur.^{6, 7, 8}

Immune system health^†
Associated with an immune system support following vaccination.⁹

Skin health^*
Associated with a reduction in the symptoms and severity of red and scaly skin in babies.¹⁰

Adults

Oral health*
Associated with a reduction in saliva levels of a specific bacteria that contributes to tooth decay¹¹

Frequency of bowel movements^†
Associated with an increase in the regularity of bowel movements in adults^{12, 13} and elderly.¹⁴

Immune system health*
Associated with an immune system support following vaccination.¹⁵

Cholesterol^#
Associated with support for a healthy cholesterol level in patients with type 2 diabetes¹⁶

* studied alone, # studied in combination with other strains, † studied alone and in combination with other strains

Scientist analyzing the BB-12 probiotic strain

Safety

BB-12^® is safe for human consumption and has been granted QPS¹⁷ (Qualified Presumption of Safety) status in Europe and been the subject of a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) notice to the US Food And Drug Administration.¹⁸ It has been tested in human clinical studies at levels use of up to at least 100 billion CFU/day (colony forming units), with no adverse events.

BB-12^® is a registered trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S

The article is provided for informational purposes regarding probiotics and is not meant to suggest that any substance referenced in the article is intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.

Our Chr. Hansen probiotic strains

At Chr. Hansen, our strains are backed by science. All of our probiotic strains are supported by clinical documentation. Learn more about the beneficial effects our strains have on different health areas.

See our other strains

Reference list

1. Jungersen, et al. The science behind the Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12^®. Microorganisms. 2014;2:92-110. (PubMed)

2. Vlieger AM, et al. Tolerance and safety of Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei in combination with Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis in a prebiotic-containing infant formula: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2009;102(6):869-75. (PubMed)

3. Weizman Z, et al. Effect of a probiotic infant formula on infections in child care centers: comparison of two probiotic agents. Pediatrics. 2005;115(1):5-9. (PubMed)

4. Saavedra JM, et al. Feeding of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus to infants in hospital for prevention of diarrhoea and shedding of rotavirus. Lancet. 1994;344(8929):1046-9. (PubMed)

5. Nocerino R, et al. The therapeutic efficacy of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12^® in infant colic: A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2019. (PubMed)

6. Taipale TJ, et al. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in reducing the risk of infections in infancy. Br J Nutr. 2011;105(3):409-16. (PubMed)

7. Taipale TJ, et al. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in reducing the risk of infections in early childhood. Pediatr Res. 2016;79(1-1):65-9. (PubMed)

8. Rautava S, et al. Specific probiotics in reducing the risk of acute infections in infancy--a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Br J Nutr. 2009;101(11):1722-6. (PubMed)

9. Holscher HD, et al. Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 enhances intestinal antibody response in formula-fed infants: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2012;36(1 Suppl):106s-17s. (PubMed)

10. Isolauri E, et al. Probiotics in the management of atopic eczema. Clin Exp Allergy. 2000;30(11):1604-10. (PubMed)

11. Caglar E, et al. Short-term effect of ice-cream containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 on the number of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. Acta Odontol Scand. 2008;66(3):154-8. (PubMed)

12. Eskesen D, et al. Effect of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BB-12^®, on defecation frequency in healthy subjects with low defecation frequency and abdominal discomfort: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Br J Nutr. 2015;114(10):1638-46. (PubMed)

13. Uchida K, et al. Effect of fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 on stool frequency, defecation, fecal microbiota and safety of excessive ingestion in healthy female students. Journal of Nutritional Food. 2005;8:39-51. Artikel kan ikke findes i PubMed

14. Pitkala KH, et al. Fermented cereal with specific bifidobacteria normalizes bowel movements in elderly nursing home residents. A randomized, controlled trial. J Nutr Health Aging. 2007;11(4):305-11. (PubMed)

15. Rizzardini G, et al. Evaluation of the immune benefits of two probiotic strains Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis, BB-12^® and Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, L. casei 431^® in an influenza vaccination model: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Br J Nutr. 2012;107(6):876-84. (PubMed)

16. Ejtahed HS, et al. Effect of probiotic yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis on lipid profile in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Dairy Sci. 2011;94(7):3288-94. (PubMed)

17. EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ). Statement on the update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 3: Suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until September 2015. EFSA Journal. 2015;13:4331.

18. Food and Drug Administration. GRAS Notice Inventory > Agency Response Letter GRAS Notice No GRN 000049. 2002.

Bifidobacterium,

BB-12®

- the world’s most documented probiotic bifidobacterium

Bifidobacterium, BB-12^® has been investigated in human clinical studies where it has been associated with digestive and immune defense support

Chr. Hansen Bifidobacterium, BB-12^®