What is the difference between Bifidobacterium longum R0175 and other B. longum strains?

R0175 is a proprietary strain with specific documented effects on the gut-brain axis and anxiety, which are not generalizable to all B. longum strains. Its anxiolytic activity has been linked to vagus nerve modulation and GABA pathway influence, characteristics that must be validated strain by strain. Consumers should not assume other B. longum strains share the same clinical outcomes.

What dosage of Bifidobacterium longum R0175 was used in clinical studies?

The most cited human clinical trial used a daily dose of 3 billion CFU of the combined formula containing B. longum R0175 and L. helveticus R0052 for 30 days (PMID: 19338686). No standalone dose-response trials for R0175 alone in humans have been published as of early 2025. The commercially available Probio'Stick product containing this strain delivers approximately 3 billion CFU per sachet.

Can Bifidobacterium longum R0175 help with anxiety and stress?

One placebo-controlled RCT in 55 healthy adults found that 30 days of supplementation with B. longum R0175 plus L. helveticus R0052 significantly reduced scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and urinary free cortisol compared to placebo (PMID: 19338686). Animal studies corroborate anxiolytic-like behavior, showing reduced stress responses dependent on intact vagal nerve signaling. However, isolating R0175's independent contribution from L. helveticus R0052 in the human trial is not currently possible.

Does Bifidobacterium longum R0175 support liver health?

Preclinical studies in rodent models of alcohol-induced liver injury demonstrated that B. longum R0175 supplementation reduced serum ALT, AST, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels, indicating hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects (PMIDs: 31996423, 37003500). The proposed mechanism involves suppression of NF-κB-driven cytokine production in hepatic tissue. No human clinical trials have yet confirmed these liver-specific benefits.

Is Bifidobacterium longum R0175 safe to take daily long-term?

Available clinical data from 30-day trials report no serious adverse events in healthy adults taking approximately 3 billion CFU daily. Long-term safety data beyond one month in controlled settings is limited for this specific strain. Immunocompromised individuals should avoid unsupervised probiotic use, and anyone on immunosuppressive therapy or with gastrointestinal conditions should consult a physician before beginning supplementation.

Is Bifidobacterium longum R0175 safe for children?

Bifidobacterium longum R0175 is generally recognized as safe for children, as it is a naturally occurring strain found in the human microbiome. However, specific pediatric dosing and age recommendations should be determined in consultation with a healthcare provider, as clinical safety data in children may be limited compared to adult studies. Always verify that any supplement is intended for pediatric use and follow age-appropriate dosing guidelines.

Does Bifidobacterium longum R0175 interact with antibiotics?

Bifidobacterium longum R0175 may have reduced viability when taken simultaneously with broad-spectrum antibiotics, as these medications can suppress beneficial bacteria. It is typically recommended to take probiotics at least 2–3 hours apart from antibiotics to minimize potential interference. After completing an antibiotic course, probiotic supplementation may help restore a healthy microbiome balance.

What does clinical research show about Bifidobacterium longum R0175's effects on gut health?

Human clinical trials demonstrate that Bifidobacterium longum R0175 may improve gut barrier integrity and reduce intestinal permeability, supporting overall digestive health. Animal studies have additionally shown that this strain can reduce inflammatory markers such as IL-1β and TNF-α, suggesting immunomodulatory effects. The combination of mechanistic evidence from animal models and human trial data provides moderate-to-good support for its role in gastrointestinal and immune function.

Bifidobacterium longum R0175

Bifidobacterium longum R0175 is a specific probiotic strain that modulates the gut-brain axis by producing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) precursors and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α. It is primarily studied for its anxiolytic and liver-protective effects, acting through vagal nerve signaling and hepatic inflammatory pathway suppression.

Category: Fermented/Probiotic Evidence: 2/10 Tier: Emerging

Bifidobacterium longum R0175 — Hermetica Encyclopedia

Origin & History

Bifidobacterium longum R0175 is a specific strain of probiotic bacterium naturally found in the human gut microbiota, isolated and selected for clinical applications. It is cultured in laboratory media as a live bacterial probiotic rather than extracted from plants or other sources. The strain is propagated as viable cells and typically formulated with other probiotics for supplementation.

Historical & Cultural Context

B. longum R0175 has no documented traditional or historical use, as it is a modern strain-specific isolate developed through contemporary microbiological techniques for clinical probiotic applications. Unlike traditional fermented foods containing various Bifidobacterium species, R0175 represents targeted strain selection for therapeutic purposes.

Health Benefits

• May support liver health and reduce inflammatory markers (animal studies showed reduced IL-1β, TNF-α, and liver injury markers; PMID: 31996423, 37003500) • Potentially reduces anxiety and stress symptoms (one human RCT showed anxiolytic-like activity when combined with L. helveticus R0052) • May improve gut barrier integrity and reduce intestinal permeability (human clinical trial evidence when used in combination) • Could modulate oxidative stress through Nrf2 pathway activation (preclinical evidence only; PMID: 37003500) • May influence endocannabinoid system and inflammatory biomarkers (limited human evidence from NCT05567653 trial)

How It Works

B. longum R0175 exerts anxiolytic effects partly by influencing GABA receptor signaling along the vagus nerve, a pathway confirmed in animal studies where vagotomy abolished the strain's stress-reducing effects. The strain also downregulates NF-κB-mediated transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, reducing hepatic oxidative stress markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Additionally, it may modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by lowering circulating corticosterone levels in rodent models.

Scientific Research

Human clinical evidence for B. longum R0175 is limited, with most studies using it in combination with L. helveticus R0052 rather than as a standalone strain. Three human trials examined the combination for stress/anxiety (30-day RCT), gut barrier integrity (3-month RCT), and endocannabinoid biomarkers (12-week trial; NCT05567653). Preclinical studies in rodent models demonstrated liver protective effects (PMID: 31996423, 37003500) and potential neurological benefits (PMID: 41576857).

Clinical Summary

The primary human evidence comes from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using a combination of B. longum R0175 and Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 (Probio'Stick), which demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and urinary free cortisol in 55 healthy volunteers over 30 days (PMID: 19338686). Animal studies using rodent models of alcohol-induced liver injury showed reductions in serum ALT, AST, TNF-α, and IL-1β with strain-specific supplementation (PMIDs: 31996423, 37003500). Evidence isolating R0175's independent effects in humans remains limited, as most clinical data involves the combination formula with L. helveticus R0052. Overall, the evidence is promising but preliminary, with larger, strain-specific human RCTs needed to confirm efficacy and optimal dosing.

Nutritional Profile

Bifidobacterium longum R0175 is a specific probiotic strain, not a macronutrient source. It does not contribute meaningful calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, or minerals in typical supplemental doses (commonly delivered at 1–10 billion CFU per dose, often standardized at 3 × 10⁹ CFU). Key bioactive components and characteristics include: • **Exopolysaccharides (EPS):** Produced by the strain during fermentation; these β-glucan and heteropolysaccharide structures contribute to immunomodulatory activity and may enhance gut barrier function. Exact concentrations vary by fermentation conditions but are typically in the low mg range per dose. • **Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) – primarily acetate and lactate:** As a saccharolytic Bifidobacterium, R0175 ferments dietary fiber and oligosaccharides (particularly fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides) in the colon, producing acetate (the dominant SCFA from bifidobacteria, contributing to colonic luminal concentrations of ~30–60 mM) and L-lactate, which is cross-fed to butyrate-producing bacteria. • **Peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid (cell wall components):** These microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) interact with toll-like receptors (TLR2, TLR6, NOD2) on intestinal epithelial and immune cells; estimated at ~0.1–0.5 mg per 10⁹ CFU. • **Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA):** B. longum strains, including R0175, have demonstrated capacity for GABA biosynthesis via glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity; in vitro production reported in the range of 0.1–2.0 mg/mL in culture media, though in vivo luminal concentrations are not well quantified. • **Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA):** Some B. longum strains produce CLA isomers (c9,t11-CLA) via linoleate isomerase activity; trace amounts produced in the gut. • **B-vitamins (biosynthesis):** Bifidobacterium longum species are known to synthesize folate (vitamin B9, estimated at 40–80 µg/L in culture), thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and pyridoxine (B6) in small quantities, though bioavailability from in situ colonic production is limited compared to small intestinal absorption. • **Bioavailability notes:** The probiotic itself must survive gastric acid and bile salt exposure to colonize or transiently inhabit the colon; R0175 has demonstrated moderate bile salt tolerance and acid resistance in vitro. Encapsulation or enteric coating significantly improves viable cell delivery (survival rates increase from ~10–20% unprotected to >70% with microencapsulation). The metabolites produced (SCFAs, GABA, B-vitamins) are generated in situ in the colon; SCFA absorption occurs primarily via monocarboxylate transporters (MCT1) in colonocytes with ~95% absorption efficiency, while GABA absorption from the colon is limited due to the blood-brain barrier, though vagal nerve signaling pathways may mediate central effects. The strain is typically consumed in combination with Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 in commercial formulations (e.g., Cerebiome®/Probio'Stick®), where the carrier matrix (maltodextrin, potato starch) adds negligible caloric content (<5 kcal per sachet).

Preparation & Dosage

Clinical studies used B. longum R0175 in combination with L. helveticus R0052, though specific CFU counts were not detailed in the available research. Human trials administered the combination daily for periods ranging from 30 days to 3 months. Exact dosages in colony-forming units (CFU) are not specified in the current evidence. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Synergy & Pairings

Lactobacillus helveticus R0052, Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1, Omega-3 fatty acids, Glutamine, Vitamin D

Safety & Interactions

B. longum R0175 is generally considered safe for healthy adults, with most clinical studies reporting no serious adverse events at doses of approximately 3 billion CFU per day. As with all probiotic strains, individuals who are immunocompromised, have central venous catheters, or suffer from short bowel syndrome should exercise caution and consult a physician before use due to a theoretical risk of bacteremia. No well-documented drug interactions have been established, though concurrent use with systemic antibiotics may reduce viability and efficacy of the strain. Pregnancy and lactation safety has not been specifically studied for R0175; general probiotic use during pregnancy is considered low-risk but should be discussed with a healthcare provider.