Bifidobacterium is a genus of gram-negative bacteria that has many species. The list on the bottom right-hand side of the web page gives a list of species of bacteria in this genus. Bifidobacterium bacteria makes up the largest percentage of bacteria in the colon.
Bifidobacteria lactis is a different species of bifidobacterium than Bifidobacteria infantis. I have not seen any research using this species of bifidobacterium in IBS management.
I am not surprised that the company claims "outside research reviews, it has been determined that the strain that we use in our IBS Support Product (Lactobacillus plantarum) is more specific for IBS" because this is the product they are selling. In fact the study they cited was done on a very small group and like VSL#3 the efficacy is limited for IBS. Having said that at least there is some evidence of some efficacy for IBS management
The Flora Restore product contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and colostrum (a from of milk). Neither bacteria has been shown to be useful in the management of IBS. Acidophilus has been shown to be effective in the treatment of some types of diarrhea.
Metagenics probably knows about Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 but even if they wanted to use it they would have difficulties because it is the proprietary property of Proctor and Gamble, the company that makes Align. They would have to use another strain of infantis or licence the use of 35624 from Proctor and Gamble.
As I mentioned in a previous posting why not try the Natren Bifidobacteria infantis NLS? The amount of dairy in a 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon is minuscule.
Good luck
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
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