<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

There was some mention about Activia on the list, so I thought I'd 
share my story.

My Mom, a non-scientist who has a deep affection for the sciences, 
asked me, "What is Bifidus Regularis?" She had a seemingly undue 
amount of skepticism in her voice.
  
Then followed the question with the comment, "Surely, someone at 
Dannon's corporate office is laughing their tail off at the fact that 
Americans buy into these fake scientific names and fake scientific 
claims." But Mom, "Bifidus is a bacterium, it is a probiotic, it is 
probably really good for you."

Then I went and looked up.

In short, Bifidus Regularis is a probiotic.

JUST FYI: Probiotics are dietary supplements which contain potentially 
beneficial bacteria and yeasts. The rationale behind them is that 
antibiotics, stress, illness and a variety of other causes reduce the 
number of intestinal flora in the digestive tract. Probiotic products 
aim to deliver extra intestinal flora to the gut to aid with 
digestion, which may engender temporary colonies of bacteria that 
assist the body's natural flora. Benefits are reported to include 
immune system improvement; prevention of syndromes such as lactose 
intolerance, diarrhea, constipation, and urinary tract infections; and 
assistance in digestion and the absorption of nutrients. Species of 
bacteria and yeasts used as probiotics include Bifidobacterium 
bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus 
acidophilus, Saccharomyces boulardii, and Bacillus coagulans.

But... "Bifidus" and "Regularis" are not true scientific names. "They 
are marketing names generated by Dannon for one of the specific 
bacteria it uses in its "Activia" range of yogurt products."

So I was partially duped. I knew "Regularis" was made up.

The source of "Bifidus" is the intestinal bacterium Bifidobacterium 
animalis. Bifidobacteria are normal inhabitants of the human and 
animal colon. The scientifically correct name for this bacterium is 
"Bifidobacterium animalis DN 173 010".

"Regularis" emphasizes being "regular" and "is" suggests a scientific 
derivation. It is known as Bifidobacterium "Lactis" in Canadian 
marketing materials and is marketed as Bifidus "Digestivum" in the UK. 
"Digestivum" is another 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.

Facts excerpted from http://www.bifidusdigestivum.com/

 From what I hear, the "Activia challenge" is something you want to do 
at home (not at work) - perhaps initiate it over the weekend - when 
you can run to the bathroom if needed, and will not offend anyone if 
you develop a sudden case of uncontrollable gas. Others, however, say 
it did the trick!

As far as the marketing goes, I am not amused. Dumbicus naemicus comes 
to mind :O

Cheers to good health!

Megan Tichy

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