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Acidophilus (Lactobacillus acidophilus)

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic, or "friendly" bacteria that inhabits the intestines and vagina and protect against the entrance and proliferation of "bad" organisms that can cause disease.

The breakdown of food by L. acidophilus leads to production of lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and other byproducts that make the environment hostile for undesired organisms. L. acidophilus also produces lactase. People who are lactose intolerant do not produce this enzyme. L. acidophilus supplements may be beneficial for these individuals.

Probiotics offer a variety of potential therapeutic uses. These include the following:

Replacing the "friendly" intestinal bacteria destroyed by antibiotics.
Aiding digestion and suppressing disease-causing bacteria.

Preventing and treating diarrhea, including infectious diarrhea, particularly from rotavirus (a virus that commonly causes diarrhea in children).

Treating overgrowth of "bad" organisms in the gastrointestinal tract (a condition that tends to cause diarrhea and may occur from use of antibiotics).

Alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and, possibly, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).

Preventing and/or reducing the recurrence of vaginal yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and cystitis (bladder inflammation). The best scientific evidence exists for vaginal infections.

Improving lactose absorption digestion in people who are lactose intolerant

Studies suggest consumption of yogurt or milk that contain Lactobacillus may improve the natural immune response. Further research is needed to confirm these early findings.

May aid the treatment of respiratory infections such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. More research is needed.

Lowers risk of allergies including asthma, hay fever, food allergies to milk, and skin reactions such as eczema.

Helps to treat high cholesterol. More research is needed.

Reduces the risk of recurring bladder tumors once this cancer has been treated. Much more research is needed in this area.

Dietary Sources
The primary dietary sources of L. acidophilus include milk enriched with acidophilus, yogurt containing live L. acidophilus cultures, miso, and tempeh.

Prebiotics are found in breast milk, onions, tomatoes, bananas, honey, barley, garlic and wheat.

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