Bifidobacterium longum for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

RCTs demonstrate significant reduction in IBS composite symptom score versus placebo. Particular benefit for bloating and abdominal distension. Marketed as Alflorex/Align.

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The Bottom Line

RCTs demonstrate significant reduction in IBS composite symptom score versus placebo. Particular benefit for bloating and abdominal distension. Marketed as Alflorex/Align.

Key Study Findings

Meta-Analysis n=3154

Comparative effectiveness and safety of probiotics with psychotropic potential in mental health benefits in irritable …

Dose: None vs: placebo Outcome: quality of life, depression, and anxiety in IBS … Effect: SUCRA=89.7% (B. longum for QoL); SUCRA=95.6% (probiotic combo for depression) None

Population: patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Meta-Analysis

Strain-Specific Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Probiotics Efficacy in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Dose: None vs: placebo Outcome: improvement in key IBS symptoms Effect: None None

Population: patients with IBS from 32 RCTs evaluating 10 probiotic strains

In Vitro n=35

A Probiotic Mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR 32, Bifidobacterium lactis BL 04, and Bifidobacterium longum …

Dose: 1e6 CFU/mL vs: IBS supernatants without probiotic Outcome: Caco-2 paracellular permeability Effect: None <0.001

Population: IBS patients (28) and asymptomatic controls (7)

Review

The Role and the Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Narrative Review.

Dose: None vs: None Outcome: IBS symptom management via NLRP3 inhibition Effect: None None

Population: Patients with IBS (narrative review)

Controlled Clinical Trial n=51 12 weeks Open-label

Targeted probiotic therapy in irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical evaluation on Clostridium butyricum CBM588 and …

Dose: None vs: Pre-treatment baseline Outcome: IBS-SSS score reduction Effect: None None

Population: IBS-D and IBS-C patients

Observational Study n=37 8 weeks Open-label

An 8-Week Course of Bifidobacterium longum 35624® Is Associated with a Reduction in the Symptoms …

Dose: None vs: None Outcome: Total IBS symptom score (TISS) Effect: 43.4% TISS reduction; >60% >=30% responders None

Population: Adults with IBS (Rome IV criteria)

Key Statistics

Studies

600

Participants

↑

Positive

Grade

Referenced Papers

Comparative effectiveness and safety of probiotics with psychotropic potential in mental health benefits in irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review … Meta-Analysis

European journal of … 2026

Strain-Specific Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Probiotics Efficacy in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Review

Journal of clinical … 2026

An 8-Week Course of Bifidobacterium longum 35624® Is Associated with a Reduction in the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Observational

Probiotics and antimicrobial … 2025 6 citations

The Role and the Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Narrative Review. Review

Microorganisms 2025 4 citations

A Probiotic Mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR 32, Bifidobacterium lactis BL 04, and Bifidobacterium longum BB 536 Counteracts the Increase … Other

International journal of … 2025 4 citations

Targeted probiotic therapy in irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical evaluation on Clostridium butyricum CBM588 and Bifidobacterium longum W11. Other

Frontiers in medicine 2025 3 citations

Metabolome-associated psychological comorbidities improvement in irritable bowel syndrome patients receiving a probiotic. RCT

Gut microbes 2024 22 citations

Effect of Postbiotic Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 on Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Serum Biochemistry, and Intestinal Microbiota in Healthy Adults: A Randomised, … RCT

Nutrients 2024 13 citations

Effect of probiotic administration during pregnancy on the functional diversity of the gut microbiota in healthy pregnant women. RCT

Microbiology spectrum 2024 9 citations

Efficacy of Quadruple-coated Probiotics in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group Study. Other

Journal of neurogastroenterology … 2024 4 citations

Efficacy and Safety of a Mixture of Microencapsulated Sodium Butyrate, Probiotics, and Short Chain Fructooligosaccharides in Patients with Irritable Bowel … Other

Journal of clinical … 2024 4 citations

Effects of Bifidobacterium longum 35624 in Children and Adolescents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Other

Nutrients 2024 4 citations

A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of live Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (ES1) and heat-treated … RCT

Gut microbes 2024

Alternation of the gut microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome: an integrated analysis based on multicenter amplicon sequencing data. Other

Journal of translational … 2023 30 citations

Selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum DD98 relieves irritable bowel syndrome induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress in mice. Other

Food & function 2023 18 citations

Interactions between symptoms and psychological status in irritable bowel syndrome: An exploratory study of the impact of a probiotic combination. Other

Neurogastroenterology and motility 2023 16 citations

The impact of diet and ethnicity on gut microbiota variation in irritable bowel syndrome: A multi-center study. Other

Journal of gastroenterology … 2023 11 citations

[Long-term probiotic administration for irritable bowel syndrome: a legal need]. Observational

Terapevticheskii arkhiv 2023 3 citations

[Clinical efficacy of a modern probiotic for the correction of intestinal microflora in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea … Other

Voprosy pitaniia 2023

Effect of Bifidobacterium longum 35624 on disease severity and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Observational

World journal of … 2022 27 citations

Compositional Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Responders and Non-responders to Probiotic Treatment Among Patients With Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: … Other

Journal of neurogastroenterology … 2022 21 citations

Immunomodulatory Effects of Bifidobacterium spp. and Use of Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum on Acute Diarrhea in Children. Other

Journal of microbiology … 2022 15 citations

Integrated gut microbiome and metabolome analyses identified fecal biomarkers for bowel movement regulation by Bifidobacterium longum BB536 supplementation: A RCT. Other

Computational and structural … 2022 15 citations

Serpin-positive Bifidobacterium breve CNCM I-5644 improves intestinal permeability in two models of irritable bowel syndrome. Other

Scientific reports 2022 14 citations

[The effectiveness of a probiotic containing Bifidobacterium longum BB-46 and Enterococcus faecium ENCfa-68 in the treatment of post-infectious irritable bowel … RCT

Terapevticheskii arkhiv 2022 6 citations

The Role of Bifidobacteria in Predictive and Preventive Medicine: A Focus on Eczema and Hypercholesterolemia. Review

Microorganisms 2021 47 citations

The Effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides on Gut Microbiota, Metabolite Profiles and Host Mucosal Response in Patients with Irritable Bowel … RCT

Nutrients 2021 36 citations

Bifidobacterium longum W11: Uniqueness and individual or combined clinical use in association with rifaximin. Review

Clinical nutrition ESPEN 2021 11 citations

[Prospects of probiotic strains of bifidobacteria and enterococcus in treatment and prevention of diseases in gastroenterology]. Review

Voprosy pitaniia 2021 3 citations

Effects of Low FODMAP Diet on Symptoms, Fecal Microbiome, and Markers of Inflammation in Patients With Quiescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease … RCT

Gastroenterology 2020 290 citations

Effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in IBS patients. RCT

European journal of … 2020 80 citations

The Effectiveness of Synbiotic Preparation Containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium Probiotic Strains and Short Chain Fructooligosaccharides in Patients with Diarrhea Predominant … RCT

Nutrients 2020 78 citations

Efficacy of Lactobacillus paracasei HA-196 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 in Alleviating Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled … RCT

Nutrients 2020 59 citations

Bifidobacterium longum alleviates irritable bowel syndrome-related visceral hypersensitivity and microbiota dysbiosis via Paneth cell regulation. Other

Gut microbes 2020 36 citations

Clinical Response and Changes of Cytokines and Zonulin Levels in Patients with Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treated with Bifidobacterium Longum … Other

Journal of clinical … 2020 31 citations

Probiotics for induction of remission in Crohn's disease. Meta-Analysis

The Cochrane database … 2020 14 citations

Effects of Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Lactose Intolerance and Persisting Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms: … RCT

Nutrients 2019 114 citations

Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 improves mental health in victims with irritable bowel syndrome developed after a major flood disaster. Other

Beneficial microbes 2019 31 citations

Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus helveticus Synergistically Suppress Stress-related Visceral Hypersensitivity Through Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Modulation. Other

Journal of neurogastroenterology … 2018 121 citations

Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum supernatants upregulate the serotonin transporter expression in intestinal epithelial cells. Other

Saudi journal of … 2018 41 citations

Effectiveness of Probiotics in Children With Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders and Functional Constipation: A Systematic Review. Systematic Review

Journal of clinical … 2018 34 citations

The Fragility of Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 Use for Depression in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Other

Gastroenterology 2018 23 citations

Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 Reduces Depression Scores and Alters Brain Activity: A Pilot Study in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome. RCT

Gastroenterology 2017 684 citations

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum for the symptoms of depression. RCT

The Australian and … 2017 280 citations

Efficacy of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis. Meta-Analysis

Current medical research … 2017 86 citations

When the low FODMAP diet does not work. Review

Journal of gastroenterology … 2017 32 citations

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 and other probiotics in the management of irritable bowel syndrome. Strain specificity, symptoms, and mechanisms. Other

Current medical research … 2017 21 citations

Genome Analysis and Characterisation of the Exopolysaccharide Produced by Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum 35624™. Other

PloS one 2016 83 citations

Role of NLRP3 inflammasome in Bifidobacterium longum-regulated visceral hypersensitivity of postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome. Other

Artificial cells, nanomedicine, … 2016 16 citations

Effect of multispecies probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. RCT

Journal of gastroenterology … 2014 164 citations

[Correlation of the microbiota and intestinal mucosa in the pathophysiology and treatment of irritable bowel, irritable eye, and irritable mind … Review

Orvosi hetilap 2014 6 citations

Effect of probiotic species on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: A bring up to date meta-analysis. Meta-Analysis

Revista espanola de … 2013 102 citations

The effect of a multispecies probiotic mixture on the symptoms and fecal microbiota in diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, … RCT

Journal of clinical … 2012 207 citations

Role of gut microflora and probiotic effects in the irritable bowel syndrome. RCT

Acta bio-medica : … 2006 41 citations

Dosage & Usage

mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units

Commonly Used Dosages

general:: 1-10 billion CFU/day
ibssupport:: 1 billion CFU/day (35624 strain, marketed as Alflorex/Align)

Upper limit: Well-tolerated up to 10 billion CFU/day in clinical trials

Dosages Studied in Research

Dosage	Duration	Effect	N
None	--	Positive	3154
None	--	Positive	--
1e6 CFU/mL	--	Positive	35
None	--	Positive	--
None	12 weeks	Positive	51
None	8 weeks	Positive	37
1x10^10 CFU daily	6 weeks	Positive	35
2 g	4 weeks	Mixed	--

Best taken: On an empty stomach or before meals

Safety & Side Effects

Reported Side Effects

⚠ Mild gas and bloating during initial use
⚠ Occasional abdominal discomfort
⚠ Rare loose stools
⚠ Very rare: bacteremia in immunocompromised individuals

Known Interactions

● Antibiotics (may reduce probiotic viability; space dosing 2 hours apart)
● Immunosuppressants (use with caution in immunocompromised patients)

Tolerable upper intake: Well-tolerated up to 10 billion CFU/day in clinical trials

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bifidobacterium longum help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Based on 4 studies with 600 participants, there is moderate evidence from clinical studies that Bifidobacterium longum may support Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) management. Our evidence grade is B (Good Evidence).

How much Bifidobacterium longum should I take for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 1-10 billion CFU/day. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.

Are there side effects of Bifidobacterium longum?

Reported side effects may include Mild gas and bloating during initial use, Occasional abdominal discomfort, Rare loose stools, Very rare: bacteremia in immunocompromised individuals. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.

How strong is the evidence for Bifidobacterium longum and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

We rate the evidence as Grade B (Good Evidence). This rating is based on 4 peer-reviewed studies with 600 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.

Related Evidence

Other ingredients for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Peppermint Oil A Psyllium Husk B Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG B Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) B Lactobacillus plantarum B Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) B

Quick Verdict

RCTs demonstrate significant reduction in IBS composite symptom score versus placebo. Particular benefit for bloating and abdominal distension. Marketed as Alflorex/Align.

Evidence Strength72%

High confidence

Study Breakdown

RCT (16)Meta (4)Other (0)

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FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.