Studies have shown a strong correlation between low levels of Bifidobacteria and the risk of children becoming susceptible to gluten sensitivity or even celiac disease, a more potent form of sensitivity.

Bifidobacteria suppresses the release of inflammatory cytokines from macrophages and microglia, the main culprit immune cells in celiac disease.

The link to Bifidobacteria is so strong that it has been proposed as a way to prevent the disorder in high-risk individuals and in animal models of gluten sensitivity, as it reverses gluten damage in the gut.

Being on a gluten-free diet can improve most of the symptoms of celiac disease, but has no effect on levels of Bifidobacteria, which need to be increased.

Most cases of gluten sensitivity and even full-blown celiac disease go undiagnosed for 20 years or more. This makes treatment with Bifidobacteria early in life even more important.