What is Bifidus Regularis?

Bifidus Regularis is a marketing ploy but, not much changed from its real name Bifidobacterium infantis 35624. How do you expect to sell yogurt or any other food product with bactirium in it’s name? You have to market your product and give it a catchy name. I think you guys are ignorant ones for recognizing good marketing. Also, If you have enough time to add your comment you have enough time to google Bifidus and probiotics read for your self that it is very real and has been used for many years. Do your research before you make remarks that make yourself look stupid and not the product you were aiming at. Think about that when you get sucked into buying your hyped up shampoo products or anything else for that matter. Give me a break with your hypicritical accusations just because you can’t take a few minutes to realize everything we buy today has a marketing stategy. It’s packeged to catch your eye. If it was’nt, everything would be generic wrapped in white with back letters.

Posted by Katy on 3rd March 2008

Anyone know what is the difference in taking Activia and taking just pills (probiotics and acidofilus?) I think I have IBS, but I have been not really screaned, because: no insurance, no money, no time. I am trying Activia. I hope it make my life less miserable, or perhaps it will make me worse?

Posted by Bill on 26th February 2008

Just to let you know, there is also a UK website http://www.danoneactivia.co.uk

Posted by Helen on 22nd February 2008

Just started Activia today, I am a once a day BM person, usually about 20 minutes after my 1st morning coffee. I do not follow the 3 meals a day diet, so I don’t think once a day is abnormal for me. I generally eat no breakfast, a light lunch and a full meal at dinner. if I get hungry between I will snack on some empty carbs, usually corn chips. Lately though I have been having days where my stomach is painful even to the touch and when this occurs I spend the majority of the a.m. on the Can. I don’t have health insurance so I am hoping that it is something Proboitics can repair. I would rather try a Logical organic approach before pharmacology, the only thing worse then illegal drugs is legal drugs, and who can afford medical care in this country without insurance. 43 yr old white male 5’9′ 165lbs good general health regular excersize occasional stomach cramping and urgent painful BM’s I will Repost with my results in 4 days when I finish my 1st pack of activia Thanks

Posted by Jack G on 15th February 2008

I have tried Activia and it works for me with no side effects except that my stomach feels numb sometimes after I have ‘released’. I love it and have recommended it to all of my friends. I have also noticed that I am not as ‘fluffy’ as before. I know that I have lost inches. I wonder if I keep eating this and lose more weight if I could get rich like Subway Jared……

Posted by Boss Lady on 11th February 2008

Has anyone noticed darker stools since taking Activia?

Posted by Bill on 10th February 2008

I don’t know why some people have bad reactions with Activia. I started using it daily starting spring 2007. I have had fibromyalgia for over 40 years and have battled irregularity. After taking Activia daily I became very regular. I felt relatively functional all summer to my amazement. Then in the fall I reduced the frequency of taking the product. I was confused as to why I was back to my old fibromyalgia symptoms. I tried to figure out what I had been doing last summer. After several experiments I finally realized that the Activia made the difference. I assume that because it made me regular that toxins were being eliminated. So I have started back on a daily serving of Activia.

Posted by Anita Roman on 9th February 2008

For those who are concerned about the sugar content, there is an Activa Light that is sweetened with sucrolose. All those bad symptoms, that everybody is complaining about, can be caused by the sugar content not necessarilly the probiotics. Sugar is poison to the body in even the tiniest amounts. I just tried Activia a few days ago with no problems, but I use the Light as I don’t eat sugar. By the way, I also think that the phrase ‘bifidus regularus’ is a load of crap, made up to seperate the more ignorant from their money….i.e. a marketing ploy, simple as that. Whether it works or not….solely depends on the individual.

Posted by Kathy on 8th February 2008

The negativity surrounding this product is not about whether or not it works. It clearly works for some people. The negativity is because of the intentionally misleading statements jam-packed into every advertisement and official company website from people like Dannon. It infuriates me that they can legally invent such loaded alternate names for bacteria and inject them so deep into society that quite likely a majority of people are used to hearing them. Irrelevant to whether the product works or not, they’re going over the line to get you to use it — because if you believe them, and/or if it ends up improving your digestive tract in any way, you’ll become a permanent customer. It’s actually a very similar sort of slavery that cigarette companies count on; the difference is Dannon has less suggestive imagery and zero government regulation of the methods by which it can advertise its product. The wording and imagery they use is as stealthy as Marlboro’s, so please don’t let them fool you into thinking that any yoghurt, but especially _their_ brands of yoghurt, are necessarily of any use to you other than a tasty snack. If you find yoghurt improves your body’s function, then by all means eat it regularly, but for your own good try a variety of brands and types.

Posted by Dennis on 3rd February 2008

Thanks for the biology low-down on yogurt… People need to read the labels of things they put into their bodies… and understand them. Any high school graduate (with a computer) can figger it out. Start at McDonalds and work your way up. It never ceases to amaze me how colonically dysfunctional most people are. I can’t imagine living with a 3-4 day time span between bowel movements. If you have pain after eating cultured yogurt .. NO WONDER! Like my kitties you should go out and munch on the grasses…till you feel better. I go 3-4 times a day. Make sure the main ingredient in your yogurt is primarily cultured low fat milk. Say NO to high fructose corn syrup, anywhere. Or anything partially or otherwise hydrogenated. The less amount of ingredients the better. Cultured milk, honey, fruit.. everyday. No pain in digestion…gelatin is ok.. great for the hair and nails. If you get sick and feel the need to go to the doctor? Anti-biotics should be used only if your prognosis is a life or death situation…(such as bacterial pneumonia, staph, strep, or auto-immune deficiant persons). Be healthy people, take control of your inner-space….love~n~light…p

Posted by patty on 1st February 2008

I had extensive surgery in ’96 due to Crohn’s disease. I no longer have a terminal ileum and my stomach outlet has been bypassed. Without the sphincters of those areas it is a real challenge to maintain any type of regularity. I have tried a number of probiotics and while regular yogurt provides some benefit I notice a distinct improvment with Activia. I know it is marketed as helping motility but for me the effect is more one of calming things down and providing a more solid stool. If I discontinue using it my gut is much more easily knocked out of balance. It’s fairly expensive as yogurt goes but if you have a Costco nearby you can get a much better deal. I don’t expect it has the same effect on everyone but some of the vehement comments seem excessive. It works for me and I would recommend trying it as an alternative to medications which are certainly not in keeping with a natural balance.

Posted by Mark Schneider on 28th January 2008

Strange, I had no problems using The Dannon Avtivia, I am 40 year of male, I was semi regular before I used it, Now I am Super Regular, so much so I think I clogged the toilet once or twice.. I get I am just one of the luck ones that this products works.

Posted by Richard on 25th January 2008

About 4 months ago I tried Activia and it made me constipated and bloated. I thought it may have been something else I had eaten at the time but decided not to eat them anymore just in case. I returned to regular bm’s again and forgot all about it. Last weekend I went shopping and was looking for some yoghurts picked a pack of Activia up and guess what, I am constipated and very bloated again! It has to be the Activia as it is the only thing different that I have had compared to normal over the course of the last few months. My advice is IF YOU ARE REGULAR DON’T EAT ACTIVIA.

Posted by Mandy on 22nd January 2008

In Michel Pollan’s book ‘In Defense of Eating,’ he says, ‘Avoid food products that make health claims.’ He also suggests that the way that the food industry makes money is by further processing what we eat to make it more expensive. Yogurt is wonderful; you can make it yourself. Don’t be fooled into buying these expensive derivations.

Posted by Ann on 20th January 2008

I’ve had terrible watery diareaha for three days, plus terrible pain and bloating. I imagine this product created what I didn’t have–illness. I had a c diff (neg) and culture (neg) done ($) at the hospital plus missed days of work ($). This product needs a ‘use at your own risk’ warning.

Posted by Theresa C on 13th January 2008

I am one of those people that isn’t constipated, but wanted to do the right thing for my intestines. I have had about six containers of this product, and today, and yesterday, I have experienced horrible bloating, frequent bowl movements, and chronic cramping. As I type I am in horrible discomfort.The product is good for those who need it, but this is a lesson on ‘leave well enough alone…’ BTW, anyone else have this, and when will this Stop…

Posted by Mary Lewis on 7th January 2008

Looked up the name bifidus regularis – what crap! 86’d mine.

Posted by J Carroll on 3rd January 2008

I love Activa, and have been taking it every day and it makes me poop hella harder then before, and I can eat the college diet I usually eat and not get the runs all the time.

Posted by Sibe on 27th December 2007

I have been using Activia for 2 weeks and cannot believe the difference it has made. I am now going to the bathroom once a day where before it was 3 or 4 days before a bow movement. I will eat it once a day. Thank You

Posted by Cynthia Dore on 13th December 2007

What most here are forgetting is that all bodys react diferently to anything and evrything! Those who are having adverse affects need to stop using these types of products and consult a Dr. if they haven’t already. For those that it is working for, continue using it. It’s as simple as that! Anyone who thinks this is hype are obviously negative thinkers (including myself on most products, but not this one). This is coming from a guy who is very pesimistic about everything out there that are health related ‘remedies’. I have noticed, as I get older (38), that the body just doesn’t work the same way it did back when I was 20 and so far I have been drinking 1-2 probiotic yogurts a day and my digestive(regularity)system has been better than it has in the last year or so. All I can say is this, probiotics is not some miracle cure. It is something the body naturally needs and L’Casei diminishes as you get older due to our diets. If there is something out there that helps replace it, then it is good! No matter what though, we all need to monitor our diets, do our best to stay away from high fructose anything and try to go as organic as you can, it is without a doubt the wave of the future!

Posted by Jamie on 6th December 2007

i started activa about 2 weeks ago and i love it! i have always had trouble with constipation on and off throughout my life and this product really works! i’m so glad it’s on the market!

Posted by angela37 on 5th December 2007

Fructose syrup and sugar the 3rd and 4th ingredient—no wonder so many of you have had problems! Let’s reduce the sugar content and see if your customers get better results, all these people cannot be wrong.

Posted by linda on 29th November 2007

I started this after being on antibiotics for 3 years. I had a breast lump and Dr. had to put drains in to relieve fluid after surgery. I ended up with a Staph infection, the one that has been talked about all over the news. Well the infection was so bad it ate right through my skin and caused me to lose my right breast with complications. Now several surgeries later, reconstruction and staph infection again, I am due for one more reconstructive surgery once more… I am free of staph but I started taking this because sometimes you just need to believe in something and want it enough that hey who knows if it is helping but I feel good and if it is just coincidence or fact, I am happy I got on this site because after all I have been through, I research it all, I haven’t seen anything bad so far…

Posted by alissa on 29th November 2007

I started Activa a month ago. Like what Heather wrote, I experienced the exact reaction. Don’t get me wrong though, I really like the product. It has really helped me. I have IBS and when I eat one a day in the morning before breakfast it has really helped. I didn’t buy it because of the advertisement. I am going to continue eating one each day.

Posted by Christine on 26th November 2007

I am with the nurse just below. After a bout with idiomatic pancreatitis I was having trouble getting back to my old self. After killing all the bacteria in my gut with liquid antibiotics(through my veins in the hospital) I had energy to do only light work with(4 weeks from hospitalization) until 11am each morning. When I started with just 2 Tablespoons of Activia a day I was able to work ALL day Every Day and have been so able ever since. SO, I am saying, right on Chanda, It is for those who need it. If you don’t need it of course it has no special effect, duh!

Posted by Kathy on 21st November 2007

THINKS THIS IS A LOAD OF CRAP :] thanks for reading haha

Posted by LOTTE :D on 13th November 2007

Okay here is the deal. Eating ‘live’ yogurt or probiotics can have a noticeable positive effect for people who have shortages of that certain strain of bacteria in their digestive system. The scam is that these ‘branded’ versions are no friggin’ different than any other yogurt containing live cultures. If you use them, and they help you, then great, just don’t be surprised if the cheap store brands of regular yogurt work just as well for a lot less money.

Posted by B on 9th November 2007

Wow! I’m amazed at all of the negativity surrounding this product. Every single thing is not for every single person! How can Mr. Brooker claim that we are gullible in this society when there are so many people who have tried this product, including me, and have found it to have AMAZING benefits! I am a nurse who is very sceptical about a lot of things and I have to do hours upon hours of research on just about everything I consider trying, but this Activa yogurt is a blessing. At 31 years old, after having 6 children, the last two being twins, I found myself slightly stressed to say the least. Among other things, this caused severe constipation. I was taking Super dieters tea daily at one point just to have a so called ‘normal’ bm. Let me tell you people who are taking laxatives and struggling with constipation, TRY ACTIVA. I could care less about marketing stratigies and so-called false claims made by the company so long as once I try it, it works! I don’t even have to eat! one every day and I still find myself having a BM (bowel movement), after each meal, WHICH IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING PEOPLE!!! If you notice babies go in their diapers afer each meal because that is the intended action for our digestive systems that start at birth! It is not healthy to go only once a day if you are eating more than one time a day! I could go on and on about this subject but I’m going to close with this…If you have suffered with constipation like I have for months now, then give this a try. Yes, a small side effect is being gassy at times, but then again, a healthy digestive system will produce that kind of flatulence anyway! Do the research. Have a blessed day.

Posted by Chanda on 8th November 2007

Sugar is bad. Probiotics are good – go to the healthfood store and pick up some high quality pills ( in the refrigerated section). I take 2 every night, more if I am having an issue and would never ever travel without them. If someone is having a reaction I dont think it is to the probiotics its to the sugar and other ingredients. I have had IBS and Ulcers, plus I have lots of food allergies – these have cured (or at least calmed) them all.

Posted by June on 8th November 2007

I tried it and it’s the best thing I have ever done. No hype as far as I am concerned. I am a 55 yr old male in good health, with a slight indication of diverticulitis. This, along with the other healthy items in my diet (fruit, nuts, vegatables) has been great.

Posted by Big Ed on 6th November 2007

Bifidious bull shit. It’s all in your head.

Posted by johnny come lately on 4th November 2007

Try the following for best results:– early morning, empty stomach, drink 1tsp ghee (clarified butter) with 1/2 cup of hot water or tea. make a paste of 2tsp cumin seed powder, 2tsp corriander seed powder, 2tsp fennel seed powder, 20/25 rose flower pettals & 20 black current(munakka), mix in two glasses of water & drink morning & night each one glass will give great relief.

Posted by pramod on 3rd November 2007

I’m a female of 45 yrs of age, and about 3 weeks ago I was feeling nauseated and had mayor cramping and dizziness. The doctor found out that I had a bacteria infection, so I was prescribed antibiotics for 10 days. Needless to say, that my poor intestine was bloated and hardened, and I wasn’t even constipated. So, I researched the best I could in the internet for a healthy diet: low acidic and high alkaline and started to implement my new acquired knowledge about dieting. And, I wanted to know more about how to restore health to my digestive tract, since I had taken medications regularly to control my acid reflux GERD and antibiotics for H Pylori. I found out that L Acidophilus is the best natural defense I could find aside from the medications of course. I am buying all the different products I can find in the market, trying to make a balance in what I am taking. I buy activia for my large intestine, the probiotic drinks, the smoothies and yogurt that provide the L acidophilus. I notice a change in each one in the acidity. I began taking one in the morning before breakfast and a different product during the day. So far, it’s the 2nd week and my bloating had dissapeared and my bowls had slowly returned to normal. I also, read that probiotics are goog for a healthy immune system. I am also trying the probiotics so I can get rid of rhinitis, allergies and the changes of hormone levels that I’m suffering with my age. I know I made a goog decision by changing my eating habits, and I’m going to include a probiotic drink or a yogurt everyday along with fruits, veggies and whole grain breads.

Posted by Doris on 31st October 2007

I, too, experienced adverse symptoms in my lower GI tract of pain, distention, urgency without result. No more yogurt of any kind for me!

Posted by Faith on 26th October 2007

So I tried Activia two weeks ago today just to see what all the hype was about. I’ve never been too regular and fell for the hype, I suppose. I only ate one, but ever since I have been bloated, gassy, and unable to have a regular bm without the help of laxatives. I’m wishing that I never tried it… and hoping that my system returns to normal soon. My intestines have never been in so much distress!

Posted by Mandy on 25th October 2007

Pardon my French (and the double entendre), but Activia’s marketing is execrable cr*p in my opinion. Surely some marketing person was paid good money to invent the fake name for the company’s strain of Bifidobacterium…perhaps they should have put that money into their product. As far as L. casei product goes, the company just went totally overboard with totally unsubstantiated and misleading inferences. ‘Restoring natural balance’ might be marginally desirable, although that does not sound like a real medical claim; then why do the ads make the product seem like some new fountain of youth. The ‘70%’ of immune system in gut–really…by what measure? (Oh, wait a minute…that explains the thick lining that we would call our intestines.) What the company does not explain is that the acid byproducts might do harm than good in some customers, or that their product does not address any of the underlying causes. Why did this company choose to tarnish its respectable reputation and a perfectly acceptable product with over-hyped pseudo-scientific claims (more characteristic of snake oil salesmen and other charlatans)?

Posted by Pete on 23rd October 2007

I tried Activia for the bloating issue that they advertised as I had been told several years ago that I have IBS. I was already regular, but still had some bloating and fullness issues. Well, only 2 days of the yogurt, eaten once daily and I was just a little TOO regular. That was Monday and Tuesday and today is Saturday, and I’m still experiencing an imbalance, I guess of the bacterial flora in the lower digestive tract. I, like Starry, couldn’t help but notice all the ‘sugars’, which is the reason I stopped buying regular yogurt in the first place – many containing the high fructose corn syrup, which I don’t like to consume. I am extremely thankful for those of you that have been helped by this product, but the manufacturer, if not FDA [which is almost laughable at times], should be forewarned that at the very least, this product should carry more ‘detailed’ information for all and that their ads should do likewise.

Posted by Susan on 13th October 2007

After just having a baby i have had stomache aches daily and thought this might help – this is my 3rd day – first had bad gas, currently having extreme diarrhea and today started having stomache cramps. I am going to try another couple of days but not sure if its worth it

Posted by Dee on 12th October 2007

Activia has made a big difference for me. I have IBS which makes me feel bad physically. The yogurt has eased all symptoms such as bloating and irregularity. I hope it continues to work so well.

Posted by Dee on 9th October 2007

I have moderate cramping as I am writing this, likely due to the Activia. My guess is that it works for those who are constipated – but if you are regular, like I am then it may not be a good idea. I started using Activia simply because I wanted to have some ‘good bacteria’ to help boost my immune system. I’ve used DanActive for about two years, sometimes drinking two at one time and had no negative effects, also though – no overt positive effects so I continued to use it as a treat or snack. The regular tastes great. So, I tried Activia thinking that it would be the same experience. There are definite side effects to Activia. I had one a day for three days and noticed nothing but some gas on the third day, and then I had two at once today (they taste really good) and that’s when the issues arose. Three hours later I had major cramping and diarrhea! Now I’m bloated and still cramping. I am glad that this product helps some people, but at the same token, Dannon probably needs to be fair to those who experience its negative side effects, as the comments on this web site evidences – there are quite a few of us. I bought yogurt to eat as a snack and to help my immune system – one thinks great they can feed their body and be healthy at the same time! Not yes – give me a food that is different for everyone and causes sick symptoms! They need to redo their campaign or at least tell people not to consume more than one a day – at least!!

Posted by Christina on 8th October 2007

I tried the activia for the 14 days as recommeded.I wasn’t sure what I was using it for. I only know that the advertisment said it would regulate the digestive tract. I believe that I fall under that category as I have been experiencing a lot of gas and bloating the last year or so.I have tried Probiotics and I can honestly say I believe they helped MY symtoms. Well after the two weeks, I wasn’t sure if it helped me or not, until about three days after I stopped, the gas and bloating came back with vengence. I am again going to take it daily and see if it subsides and I will better be able to give a fairer judgement. As for me, I am happy with the results to date.

Posted by Marsha on 8th October 2007

i just bought activa today and thought it would be good for regularity since i just finished a colon cleanse. i have eaten one so far and will return the unused portion to the store tomorrow after reading so many negatives on Activa. I’d rather be safe than sorry. God Bless.

Posted by poppy on 7th October 2007

I ate Activia for two weeks straight. The gas is horrible and I can’t even leave the house! Yesterday I went to the bathroom six times. Not worth it to me anymore.

Posted by diane on 3rd October 2007

I have always been constipated, and had become reliant on laxatives for 1, sometimes 2, BMs a week. Greens, bran, regular yoghurt don’t seem to help particularly. Two polyps in recent colonoscopy. Activia seems to produce daily BMs, and I have discontinued the laxatives. Wish BMs were unaccompanied by a little less gas, but I am otherwise unexpectedly pleased to have something that finally prods my GIT into some semblance of normality!

Posted by 54 YO Female on 1st October 2007

I started eating Activia rather than regular yogurt because I heard from coworkers of all the great effects. I ate one a day for 10 days. Everything fine while on it. As soon as I missed a day or two of eating Activia, I started experiencing back stomach cramps, intense nausea, bloating, gas, headaches, etc. Start again – one a day for a few days – and miss a day or two and I am back in pain. Almost sounds like a drug withdrawal. 13-year old stepdaughter having same experience, so it is not biology or age. From my experience, and reading the comments, it seems that either you have to be on it or never touch it. Doesn’t sound natural to me. We are going back to regular yogurt. Where is the FDA on this? More and more of these products are hitting the shelves and marketed as medical breakthroughs.

Posted by Heather on 29th September 2007

Hey, if you have digestive distress, give this product a chance… it truly works for me. I have been eating Activia for four days now and I have not needed any stomach meds at all! No more acid reflux, gas, or bloating! May not be for everyone (maybe everyone doesn’t need it) but for those of us with a history of digestive maladies, eating yogurt is better than eating antacids and taking prescription drugs for relief!

Posted by Jan on 26th September 2007

My 3 year old has very bad constipation eventhough she eats enough fiber and drinks enough water per day. The first week I had to give her Activia 3 times in the week to get her to go #2(yes, that is how bad her constipation was). Now it only takes half a yogurt to get her to go #2. I’m starting to wonder if there is either a laxative or stool softener in this product and not the ‘good bacteria’ which the company is touting as the helpful agent. Any comments on this??

Posted by ConcernedMom on 23rd September 2007

Dannon keeps coming up with such stupid stuff. What companies do for a buck. They could at least come up with names that don’t sound completely juvenile… Imunitass???? Oh… I see… jumping on the Harry Potter success.

Posted by Ibelieveanthingstupidus on 21st September 2007

I had Activia for breakfast for three weeks minus the weekends and i noticed that the first 3 or 4 days i had intensive gases, but that went away. I had problems with gases and since i started with Activia that problem went away which is all i hoped for, no miracles or somthing =). I’m 30 and been consuming cheese, yogurt and milk intensively all my life coz the doctors suggested they where good for bones as i have broken my arms 3 times when i was a child 😉

Posted by jas on 20th September 2007

I’ve generally always been pretty regular, but I’ve started eating Activia and now I’m having almost pure liquid bowel movements in addition to a more ‘normal’ movement. Looks like I’m not the only one who has suffered such symptoms… I thought it might just be a transitional thing, but perhaps not.

Posted by Erica on 18th September 2007