Probiotics are healthy bacteria which live in the human body, in particular in the intestines, and help fight disease. The most common form of probiotic is Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
Good Bacteria? Is There Such a Thing?
Yes, there is. In one word- probiotics. Probiotic literally means ‘for life’. Probiotics are living microorganisms which, when ingested, have beneficial effects on the human body. Lactobacillus Acidophilus is the most commonly used probiotic, or “friendly” bacteria. Like humans, most bacteria have a first name and a surname. Lactobacillus is the general (genus) name of the bacteria, Acidophilus is the particular strain. These healthy bacteria live in the intestines as well as the vagina and protect against the entrance and growth of “bad” organisms that can cause disease. It also produces lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactose) into simple sugars. People who are lactose intolerant do not produce this enzyme. For this reason, Lactobacillus Acidophilus supplements may be beneficial for these individuals.
Characteristics of a Probiotic
The characteristics required of lactobacilli to qualify it as probiotics are as follows- it must provide beneficial function, easy cultivation, non-pathogenicity, adhesion and population stability. Probiotic therapy is considered useful and has very few side effects in contrast with conventional pharmaceutical treatments.
How Many Does the Human Body Have?
It is estimated that there are several trillion friendly bacteria comprising over four hundred species in the average human gastrointestinal tract. By body weight, each of us carries around approximately four pounds of intestinal microflora.
What Else Does it Do?
Besides helping the function of the intestines, Acidophilus also counteracts damage done to the body due to antibiotic use and stimulates the immune system to function better when you are relatively healthy, but when you’re sick, they can also contribute significantly to relief of health problems ranging from indigestion and diarrhea to colon and liver cancer.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus is also involved in the production of B vitamins (niacin, folic acid, and pyridoxine) during the digestive process. Among its other uses, Lactobacillus Acidophilus also reduces cholesterol levels and the growth of hostile yeasts such as Candida albicans.