Bifidobacterium longum
Plain-English definitions of microbiome research vocabulary — the terms you'll see across articles, testing services, and probiotic claims.
A beneficial bacterial species naturally abundant in the human gut from infancy. The strain B. longum 1714 has been studied for its effects on stress and cognitive function, showing modest benefits in human trials. B. longum subsp. infantis is particularly important for infant gut health and breast milk digestion.
Related terms
Bifidobacterium
A genus of beneficial bacteria that dominates the infant gut and remains important throughout life. Various species (B. longum, B. infantis, B. breve) are among the most studied probiotics, with evidence for IBS, immunity, and infant health.
Psychobiotic
A live organism (probiotic) that, when ingested in adequate amounts, produces a health benefit in patients suffering from psychiatric illness. A term coined by Dinan et al. in 2013.