Bifidus Actiregularis, Bifidus Regularis, Bifidus Digestivum, Bifidobacterium Lactis and its variants are marketing names generated by Danone (known in the United States of America as Dannon) for one of the specific bacteria it uses in its “Activia” range of yoghurt products.
According to a reply received from Dannon by the Writerious blog, Bifidus Regularis (and therefore presumably all the variations of Bifidus…) is a proprietary strain of Bifidobacterium.
The source of “Bifidus” is from the intestinal bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis, a kind of bacteria found in the large intestines of most mammals, including humans. “Actiregularis” is an invented word, the first half of which which emphasises the active nature of the bacteria. In common with with Bifidus Regularis, the “regularis” part emphasises being “regular” and the “is” at the end suggests a scientific derivation. The bacteria is known as Bifidus Actiregularis in UK marketing materials and Bifidus Regularis in marketing materials from the USA.
Bifidus Actiregularis used to be called Bifidus Digestivum in UK marketing materials. “Digestivum” is an invented word which uses “digestive” as a root to suggest beneficial effects on digestion, combined with the latinate ending “um” to suggest a scientific derivation.
It is known as Bifidobacterium Lactis in Canadian marketing materials, where Lactis uses the Latin root for milk (“lac” / “lact-“) and “is” to suggest a scientific derivation.
It is known as “Digestivum Essensis” in German and Austrian marketing materials. These are both invented words, the first emphasising digestion and the second emphasising the “essential” nature of the nutrition, using latinate endings to suggest a scientific derivation.
The name of the bacteria changes from country to country and over time, to reflect differences in marketing strategy and consumer behaviour. One suggestion for the change in the UK from Bifidus Digestivum from Bifidus Actiregularis is that Bifidus Digestivum was so ridiculed it become a liability – do a Google search for Bifidus Digestivum to see the results.
The scientifically correct name for the bacteria is “Bifidobacterium animalis DN 173 010”.
The BBC has recorded an excellent radio programme about gut bacteria, including a discussion of the fundamental uncertainty about the very specific advertised claims for probiotics.
Read more about probiotics, prebiotics, and intestinal flora, Danone’s marketing strategy and what’s in Activia, Danactive and Actimel using the More information menu on the right.
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Comments
After Gastric Bypass I have suffered with IBS and Gas…very painful at times…I have been eating the Activia for three weeks now.. its been a God sent..after the second day.. I was almost normal.. but now three weeks into the use of Activia…I have been healed .. I can’t tell you how much better I feel and my stomach is perfect..please if you have any stomach problem please give it a try.. it changed my life.
Posted by David Pemberton on 23rd March 2011
We are working on an 18 bacterial strain probiotic yogurt using tablets found for sale online. Not being microbiologists makes it tough to know if you have succeeded – we have a thin yogurt made from the tablets but have no clue as to how many of the strains carried over to the yogurt.
Apparently, based on our reading of material found online, you can have hundreds, if not thousands of strains of probiotic bacteria for yogurts.
And yes, we have made yogurt from Activia and it is great stuff!
http://mryogurt.info/
Posted by Bill on 23rd March 2011
Why are we talking about this on some website?
Posted by Andre Flora's Brother on 21st March 2011
Wikipedia is wrong!
Posted by Andre Flora on 21st March 2011
You idiots! look on Wikipedia its spelled with an “H” there!
Posted by Andre Flora's Sister on 21st March 2011
Yes it doesn’t have an “H” in it
Posted by Andre Flora's Brother on 21st March 2011
I don’t like your spelling of the word “yogurt”.
Posted by Andre Flora on 21st March 2011
Yes it works wonderfully but i want to know how to make the bifidus regularis i want the formula
Posted by Tara on 18th March 2011
I Love Activia! I have always had a hard time “going”. Seriously I was only able to go a few times a month. Which I know is not good for you. I do eat pretty healthy foods anyways, but, it never helped, and I even ate a lot of fiber, which made me more gassy than anything. I don’t like to take laxitives because you have to run to the bathroom. Activia really regulated my digestive system. After taking it the first day, I was “going” the next day, and I noticed if I stopped taking it, I didn’t go at all the next day. I Love it! and I suggest it to anyone who’s like me and rarely uses the bathroom.
Posted by Cristin on 17th March 2011
If ( Bifidus whatever else ) is for your gut, then why now is it being marketed for use on your SKIN? the mind boggles
Posted by Neil Cook on 16th March 2011
I believe Activia CAN cause yeast infections. I love yogurt so I tried activia. I started getting a yeast infection which I rarely get, almost never. I continued eating the 6 pack and treated OTC but it got worse. By this time I had well finished the Activia. I had to be treated twice by my doctor to cure it. Not thinking it could be yogurt I bought some more Activia. After eating it for 2 days, I started getting another yeast infection. After stopping eating the Activia, I have not had one since, over a year. If this does not convince you that it affects some people this way, my son called and was treated for Thrush in his mouth. He called and said he had it again. I then thought to ask if he was eating Activia. He WAS! He stopped and has had no problems since
Posted by Not all the same on 14th March 2011
As a rule I don’t like yoghurt but I love Activia cherry! I don’t really believe in all this mumbo jumbo about good bacteria helping bad bacteria, I have IBS but it doesn’t appear to have made a difference! I don’t for 1 minute believe that this certain probiotic drink or yoghurt is going to change the world n solve health problems but it tastes nice!
Posted by Lil TC on 10th March 2011
To be honest, I eat their yogurt because I like the flavour, rather than because it contains this pseudo/quasi-scientific probiotic. Their methods with regards to luring healthcare professionals to prescribe their products and the action against this site seem underhanded though. Most people would be more willing to buy their products if they were simply to cut the crap.
Posted by Paul on 5th March 2011
I have been having the Activia pouring yogurt for the past week and have suffered stomach cramps since day 2. I’m normally quite regular anyway and only bought it because it was on offer, but this has made my very windy and constipated. Think I’m going to stop it’s making me quite uncomfortable.
Posted by Caroline on 5th March 2011
It kind of gave me a stomach ache…
Posted by Teena on 3rd March 2011
Danone’s BL Regularis does not exist even though Danone makes it sound like a scientific name to impress those whom you consider to be ignorant!
The TRUE scientific name of the strain is Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis.
Danone owns Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis about as much as they own the air they breathe.
Danone’s attempt to rename Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis as BL Regularis in Canada (and as half a dozen different invented names in other countries) is childish, presumptuous, and arrogant.
check this out : wikipedia Bifidobacterium_animalis
Posted by danone dannon are LYING! no one own bifidobacterium animalis on 26th February 2011
Dannon is simply capitalizing off the average person’s lack of awareness about beneficial bacteria or probiotics. They bank on the hope that most people will never know that the bacteria that Dannon invents names for are widely available elsewhere, for much cheaper. There are all kinds of probiotics in good-quality, plain yogurt that may help promote regularity.
Posted by skookum on 23rd February 2011
iv had terrible stomac cramps, i didnt realise it cud b due to the activia…..gona stop it 4 a while n c if they disappear x
Posted by liz on 21st February 2011
Can’t see that it makes any difference in our elimination, but, having said that, my husband and I still enjoy a cup each day. I do agree with Robbie, tho. Wish the price was a little more reasonable.
Posted by Nan M. on 10th February 2011
these posts made my day hahahaha
Posted by Enter your name here on 7th February 2011
Activia controls my IBS where everything else has failed. I’ve had one cup every morning for about 5 months. No more dashes to the Throne Room, no more cramps and no more liquid output. I’m staying with it. It changed my life.
Posted by Bob Jones on 7th February 2011
I was using Activia for 3 weeks and the digestion was ok. Then I started getting cramps in my guts after each ACtivia. So I stopped and it helped.
Posted by FlameLady on 5th February 2011
I have been making my own yogurt with the Bifidus stuff. It worked well for about a month, but now it feels like i’m pouring acid in my gut when I eat it and I get horrible cramping and ulcer type pain. I have celiac disease, so I wonder if it is too harsh for my bowels? It has taken days for it to settle down, and is still not better. It has made it hard for me to eat, as it feels like ulcer pain! Anyone else had this experience? How long will it take to go away. Should I eat other yogurts with other acidolphis to help heal it? Or do I just wait it out? I’m miserable! My expericence is that Bifidus long term IS NOT GOOD for us. Too strong?
Posted by Geri Davis on 31st January 2011
I have been using the Activia now for a week with great results. I have Ulcerative Colitis and have tried medications off and on with and without results. I just hate all the side effects from the types of medications used. This Activia has made me feel 100% better. I am so much more regular now. Not running to the bathroom with every bite of food I take. I hope it lasts. Thanks Activia!!
Posted by Denise on 26th January 2011
IDK!!! about all the mumbo jumbo, But I ate it and I went!!! 1st day even… But is it not good for you is my question???
Posted by Barbs on 18th January 2011
its good we will see if this works, i am used to getting greek yogurt. greek yogurt has about 3 times the protein of a lot of yogurts.
Posted by jess on 3rd January 2011
Any one else experiencing gassy stomach from consuming this yogurt?
Posted by TnT on 23rd December 2010
Works like a CHAMP. And it didn’t take more than about 3 days for me.
Posted by deadrody on 20th December 2010
Activia when eaten consistently, makes me very regular. Works better than a laxative. !
Posted by Ashley :-) on 20th December 2010
WTF? Does it work or not ?
Posted by Enter your name here on 11th December 2010
if you want to have a yoghurt ,then have a proper ‘live’ yoghurt which does contain live bacteria , and not crap like artificial sweeteners which can give you stomach cramps and such like; look up [sorbitol & aspartame] and see what side effects these sweeteners have. chemical over load as my missus says, and she is right ,there is too much crap like that in our food today. as far as i am concerned Activia yoghurts and the related products are shite and wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole. so that you know we’re not lefty tree-huggers but normal people trying to stay healthy.
Posted by pat 1 on 15th November 2010
whatever it’s called it makes me fart like a cavalry horse!!!!
Posted by fatbird in france on 10th November 2010
Ultimate Flora Vaginal Support Formula contains 50 Billion active probiotic
organisms, which are natural residents of the healthy urogenital tract
(vagina and urinary tract ).
Ultimate Flora Vaginal Support Formula contains 45 billion Lactobacilli and
5 billion Bifidobacteria. Lactobacilli are the most prevalent beneficial
bacteria found in the urogenital tract, with lesser numbers of
Bifidobacteria. Lactobacilli produce compounds and acids that help to fight
the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast.*
The urogenital tract is second only to the colon in the number of bacterial
residents, and many people experience yeast infections and urinary tract
issues when the beneficial bacteria become unbalanced.*
The high concentration of probiotics in Ultimate Flora Vaginal Support
Formula is designed to help maintain a healthy balance of vaginal and
urinary tract bacteria.
http://www.wahrheitssuche.org/probiotische-bakterien.html for who speeks german
what is in activia is a GMO bacterium from urinary and faeces flora.
enjoy!!
Posted by Enter your name here on 13th October 2010
i love activia and im eating one right now (mango flavour) lol
Posted by Ayesha Baibee on 10th October 2010
i eat the yogurts cause they taste nice
Posted by your all gay on 9th October 2010
I am eating my Activia right now….but i can’t finish this
post…I GOTTA GO!!
Posted by Enter your name here on 26th September 2010
IT IS A VERY GOOD END SUXESFUL PRODUCT FOR THE INTESTINAL CRABS
Posted by GIANNAKA FRENIA on 22nd September 2010
should’nt it be called deficus alotus
Posted by Anonymous on 17th September 2010
Thanks for the info. Based on the information posted on this page, I was able to do some research to satisfy my own curiosity. It’s hard to find usable info anywhere that’s easily accessed. NIce work.
Posted by Frank D*****d on 13th September 2010
In response to leslie on 26th August 2010. I agree that some yogurt taste far too “sugary”. I recently started eating Chobani Greek yogurt instead. It has the bifidus, l. casei, acidophilus, thermophilus, and l. bulgaricus in it. The yogurt sort of a sour cream consistancy, but by no means sugary tasting. I love it!
Posted by Janel on 12th September 2010
I have horrible constipation due to the medications I have to take and lack of exercise too.
Today, I start my first bit of Activia. We’ll have to see what happens. Wish it didn’t cost so much!
Posted by Robbie on 8th September 2010
I’ve officially begun the “Activia Challenge” tonight. We’ll see how it goes. I guess it will take a month for me to get a good grasp on whether it is working or not. I get severely constipated frequently due to medication I’m on, so I’m really hoping this will help alleviate the problem. I’m going in with an open conscious and will give it an honest shot.
Wish me luck guys and gals.
Posted by Michael Hickenbottom on 3rd September 2010
More BS is what it is…
Posted by Enter your name here on 30th August 2010
It works for me, I just wish they wouldn’t put so much sugar in it. The Light variety gives me stomach problems so it must have some type of sorbitol added. I have been using Activia for a long time, on and off. It seems to work for a period of time, then doesn’t work as well.
Posted by leslie on 26th August 2010
I have tried Activia for about a month. The first week, it worked great, but for the past 2 weeks, I have had cramping and constipation. As of today, I have quit consuming it, and hopefully the cramping will stop.
Posted by Enter your name here on 23rd August 2010
it works for me..it’s changed my life!
Posted by mia on 20th August 2010
There IS NO SUCH BUG as Bifidus regularis. That is pure marketing hype. Some marketing person, who I am sure has no scientific, much less microbiological, background, came up with this ridiculous name. No self respecting microbiologist would EVER name a bug “regularis”, it is downright preposterous.
Posted by Scott on 16th August 2010
Activia works for some people but not others. It does not work for me because I get a nausea feeling in my stomach and a tired feeling. I am definitely quitting its use and hoping to feel like my self in a few days.
To those calling others stupid, I say look in the mirror.
Posted by from Robert K. in VA on 15th August 2010
Since more women than men suffer from constipation and irregularity it makes sense that they would have more favorable comments while many men po-po their sentiments. While yogurt may help establish normal flora in the intestine it is not a great source of fiber. I suggest you eat your yogurt with a half cup of Bran Buds and a half cup of berries for a very well balanced meal with a lot of fiber and antioxidants too! It is nutty and delicious and low in calories.
Posted by Kay on 1st August 2010
I’m writing a comment just to specify something about the nature of the words used.
“Bifidus” is used referring to Bifidobacterium but it exists as an actual word, in Latin; however, in Latin it only means “bifurcate” and doesn’t pertain to bacteria or life in general, so “Bifidobacterium” comes from “bifidus”, because of bacterium’s look, and not vice versa.
“Actiregularis” is an invented word, but “regularis” is an actual Latin word, and it’s the Latin translation for “regular”.
“Digestivum” is the Latin translation for “digestive”, too.
“Lactis” comes, as you said, from the Latin root for “milk”; in particular, the Latin word is “lac”, and “lactis” is the genitive case of the word.
“Essensis”, finally, is an invented word; I think they used it as an adjective, because of its ending “-is” (in general, Latin adjectives have three possible masculine singular endings, “-er”, “-us” and “-is” – there are also Latin nouns that ends with “-is”, but “-ensis” is a typically adjectival ending).
Greetings,
Giulio
Posted by Giulio Colombo on 1st August 2010