Probiotic 101

probiotic
[pro·bi·ot·ic] noun

Live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide a health benefit to a host.

What matters when choosing a probiotic for baby

The bacteria strain

Definition: Strains are subtypes of the same species and are classified based on genetic and biochemical properties that give each strain unique attributes.

B. infantis is a select subspecies uniquely adapted to capture and consume Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) from breast milk. However, not all strains of B. infantis can consume HMOs to the same extent.

B. infantis EVC001, the single strain in Evivo, contains the full complement of genes that can utilize the full breadth of HMOs most efficiently and effectively.

A mechanism of action

Definition: An explainable process that describes how a probiotic works inside the body.

The mechanism of action of B. infantis EVC001 in protecting from harmful bacteria and supporting healthy immune function is directly connected to its unique ability to capture and consume breast milk HMOs, then convert them into metabolites.

Colonization

Definition: Ongoing and high levels of detection, meaning the microbe must be actively replicating to establish an ongoing presence within the gut.

In recent clinical studies, B. infantis EVC001 given to breast milk fed infants was shown to stably and persistently colonize the infant gut at high levels, resulting in 80-90% lower levels of harmful bacteria compared to breastfed control infants who lacked B. infantis.

The efficacy of probiotics can vary widely from strain to strain and the benefits observed with one strain cannot be extrapolated to another.

Understanding probiotic terminology

ProbioticsAnimals (Example)
FamilyBifidobacteriaceaeCandidae
GenusBifidobacteriumCanis (dogs, wolves, jackals)
SpeciesBifidobacterium longum (B. longum)C. lupus (dogs, wolves)
SubspeciesBifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis)C. lupus familiaris(domesticated dogs)
StrainEVC001 (B. infantis EVC001)Chihuahua

Ensuring a healthy microbiome in early life holds remarkable potential to improve a newborn’s health trajectory.