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.
Uses
Probiotics offer a variety of potential therapeutic uses. Some of these include the following-
replace the friendly bacteria that live in the intestines and are destroyed by antibiotics
aid in the digestive process and help to suppress bacteria that cause diseases
prevent as well as treat cases of diarrhea
treat an overgrowth of “bad” organisms in the gastrointestinal tract (a condition that often causes diarrhea and may occur as a result of the use of antibiotics)
alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and possibly, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
prevent and/or reduce the recurrence of vaginal yeast infections, urinary tract infections and cystitis (inflammation of the bladder)
improve the absorption of lactose in people who have been diagnosed as lactose intolerant
enhance the natural response of the immune system
aid in the treatment of respiratory infections such as bronchitis, sinusitis, and pneumonia
lower risk of allergies, for example, food allergies to milk, asthma, hay fever, and skin reactions such as eczema and psoriasis
help to treat high cholesterol
reduce the risk of bladder tumors recurring once cancer has been treated
Dietary Sources
The primary dietary sources of Lactobacillus Acidophilus (also referred to as L. acidophilus) include milk (enriched with acidophilus), yogurt containing live cultures (always check the label on the container, some brands of yogurt contain a higher concentration of cultures than others), miso, and tempeh.
Miso is a concentrated savory paste made from soybeans (in other words, a fermented bean paste). Tempeh is a tender, chunky cake of fermented soybeans that is a staple of Indonesian cooking.
Available Forms
L. acidophilus preparations are made of dried or liquid cultures of living bacteria. These cultures are generally grown in milk but can sometimes be grown in cultures that are absent of milk. It is available in the following forms:
Freeze-dried capsules
Freeze-dried granules
Freeze-dried powders
Liquid Lactobacillus Acidophilus preparations (which must be refrigerated)
How to Take It (Adults)
The recommended doses of L. acidophilus for adults varies depending on the health condition that it is being used to treat. Always be sure to check the specific dosage recommendations on the label of the product before taking the probiotic.
Guidelines for the Most Common Uses of Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Diarrhea (prevention and treatment of): 1 to 2 billion viable cells per day (some experts may recommend up to 10 billion cells per day). Always check with your doctor first.
Vaginal infections: 8 ounces of yogurt (with live active cultures) daily or an oral daily supplement containing at least 1 to 2 billion live organisms. Clinical experience also suggests that another thing that works to relieve itching and inflammation is to apply yogurt with live acidophilus cultures directly into the vaginal area using a disposable spatula. As well, lactobacillus capsules or tablets may be inserted directly into the vagina.
Cystitis: 1 to 2 capsules or tablets inserted into the vagina nightly for a period of two weeks.
Normal intestinal flora (maintenance of): 1 to 10 billion viable cells per day.
Precautions and Possible Interactions
As with any supplement, there is always the risk of side effects and interactions with other medications. In light of this, dietary supplements should be taken only under the careful supervision of a trained and knowledgeable doctor and/or healthcare provider.
In some individuals who consume more than 1 to 2 billion L. acidophilus cells per day, mild gastrointestinal upset may occur. However this is not likely to happen to people who are not currently taking antibiotics.
If a person is currently being treated with sulfasalazine, they should not begin taking probiotic supplements until they first discuss it with their doctor. Sulfasalazine is a sulfa medicine that is used to prevent and treat inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It is often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have not been helped by, or who cannot tolerate other medicines for their condition. It is also known as Azulfidine. A laboratory study has suggested that L. acidophilus speeds up the metabolism of the drug sulfasalazine but at present the significance of this information is not completely known. More studies need to be done.
Available Studies
Physicians have routinely suggested that patients undergoing antibiotic therapy should consume eight ounces per day of yogurt with Lactobacillus Acidophilus. Based on test tube studies, another suggestion that has been put forth is that L. acidophilus may have potential antibiotic effects of its own. (1) There have been no reports of toxicities related to Lactobacillus Acidophilus, however it is not known whether this supplement has any effects on the absorption of antibiotic medication.
A study done by researchers at Long Island Jewish Hospital and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, reported that women with recurrent vaginal candidiasis who consumed eight ounces a day of yogurt high in Lactobacillus Acidophilus suffered from fewer infections than those who didn’t take it. (2) The authors of this report also noted that a number of dairy products did not contain the L. acidophilus that had been clearly advertised on the label.
Sources
Books
Murray, Frank (1999). Acidophilus and Your Health. New York, McGraw-Hill.
Webster, David (2000). Acidophilus and Colon Health: The Natural Way to Prevent Disease. New York, Kensington.
Journals
1. Friend BA, et al. Journal of Applied Nutrition.1984.36: 125-153
2. Hilton E, et al. Annals of Internal Medicine, 1992.116: 353-357