Acidophilus & Other Probiotics

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Acidophilus & Other Probiotics

Other Forms & Alternate Names: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, B.

bifidus, L.acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. reuterii, S.

salivarius, S. thermophilus, Saccharomyces boulardii, probiotics.

 

Aciodophilus is a strain of friendly bacteria that resides in the intestines,

helping to prevent intestinal infections by “crowding out” less healthy

organisms

 

Acidophilus also resides in the vagina, where it protects against yeast

infections and urinary tract infections.

 

The use of antibiotics can disturb the balance of bacteria in the body, by

destroying healthy bacteria and allowing harmful bacteria to thrive. That’s why

people develop yeast infections and diarrhea after taking antibiotics.

 

Acidophilus is just one strain of a group of microbes called probiotics. Other

strains include: L. bulgaricus, L. plantarum, L. reuteri, L.casei, B. bifidus,

S. salivarius, S. thermophilus, and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii.

 

Sources of acidophilus & other probiotics

Yogurt and kefir are good sources of probiotics, because they are fermented with

these bacteria. Acidophilus and other probiotics are also available in capsule,

powder or tablet form. Once ingested, they colonize the intestines and other

parts of the body and can sustain themselves unless they are destroyed by

antibiotics or other factors.

 

Although probiotics can improve health, there is no recommended daily dosage of

probiotics.

 

Dosage

A typical daily dosage is 3 to 5 billion live bacteria. Doses of probiotic

bacteria are measured by the number of bacteria contained in each serving of the

product. Some companies will guarantee a certain amount of live bacteria at the

time of purchase, because factors such as heat can destroy live bacteria. Some

products add sugars called FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides), which are fuel that

probiotics need to grow but that your body doesn’t metabolize. to promote the

growth of healthy bacteria.

 

When taken to prevent infectious diarrhea during travel, probiotics can be taken

one week prior to the start of travel and continued for a week after the end of

travel.

 

For vaginal infections, 2 tablespoons of yogurt or the powder of 2 capsules of

acidophilus and water can be used as a douche.

 

Therapeutic Uses

 

 

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

 

traveler’s diarrhea

 

diarrhea due to antibiotic use

 

to prevent vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections

 

to support the immune system

 

canker sores

 

Crohn’s disease

 

to prevent colon cancer

 

to decrease symptoms of milk sensitivities

 

candida, candidiasis

 

 

Side effects

There are no known safety concerns associated with the use of probiotics.

Initially, some people may notice a temporary increase in gas and bloating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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