Acidophilus - Benefits of Acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus grows naturally in the human GI tract along with Bacteroides, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, and other microorganisms, each of which prevents the others from over growth in the intestine. Acidophilus produces hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid to suppress pathogenic bacteria.
Acidophilus is available as capsules, granules, powders, tablets, and in milk and yogurt, in products such as Bacid, Kala, Lactinex, More-Dophilus, ProBionate, Probiotics, and Superdophilus.
Benefits And Uses of Acidophilus
Acidophilus is used to treat lactose intolerance, digestive disorders, or antibiotic induced diarrhea because it helps replace,intestinal flora. It’s also used to ease the pain of a sore mouth caused by oral candidiasis, and to treat fever blisters, canker sores, hives, and acne.
Lactobacillus products are used to treat vaginal yeast or bacterial infections and uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections. They’re administered intravaginally to treat bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women in the first trimester, thus restoring normal vaginal flora and acidity.
When antibiotics are given, growth of susceptible bacteria may decline, allowing for overgrowth of other bacteria; acidophilus is then given to restore intestinal flora and, thus, homeostasis.
Some herbal practitioners claim acidophilus may also retard the growth of tumors and reduce cholesterol levels; however, no data support this. Although sometimes used to treat irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, acidophilus probably isn’t effective for these conditions.
Administration
- Bacid: 1 capsule by mouth two to four times a day
- Lactinex: 1 packet added to or taken by mouth with food, milk, juice, or water two to four times a day
- More-Dophilus: 1 teaspoon by mouth every day with liquid .
- Pro-Bionate capsules: 1 capsule by mouth every day, up to three times a day .
- Pro-Bionate powder: 1/4 to 1 teaspoon by mouth every day, up to three times a day.
- Superdophilus: 1/4 to 1 teaspoon by mouth every day, up to three times a day .
- To decrease recurrence of vaginal can didiasis: 1 cup of yogurt containing L.acidophilus by mouth.
- If dose is quantified as number of living organisms, 1 to 10 billion viable organisms by mouth three or four times a day.
Side Effects of Acidophilus
There are no reported drug interactions with acidophilus.People with sensitivity to dairy products and children under the age of 3 should avoid using acidophilus. Those with high fevers should use acidophilus with caution. The use of acidophilus in pregnant and lactating women should be avoided because the effects are unknown. Acidophilus may cause flatulence.
Clinical considerations
- Inform patient that the potency of acidophilus is reduced by storage conditions and length of time in storage. Acidophilus should be stored in the refrigerator.
- Some products labeled to contain L. acidophilus contain little to no active ingredient, whereas others contain contaminants such as Clostridium sporogenes, Enterococcus faecium, and Pseudomonas. Tell patient that flatulence is prevalent with initial dosing but decreases with continued use.
- Inform patient that if he delays seeking medical diagnosis and treatment, conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, thrush, hyperlipidemia, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and developing tumors could worsen.
- Advise patient not to use acidophilus for longer than 2 days or while he has a high fever, unless his health care provider has instructed him to do so.
- Advise patient with sensitivity to dairy products to avoid oral use of L. acidophilus.
- Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement he is taking when obtaining a new prescription.
- Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Research summary
According to several studies, regular use of acidophilus and other probiotics can help prevent traveler’s diarrhea (an illness that usually occurs in developing countries and is caused by contaminated food and drink).
Tagged under:bacid bacterial vaginosis cholesterol levels escherichia coli Herbs inflammatory bowel disease intestinal flora lactobacillus acidophilus lactose intolerance oral candidiasis pathogenic bacteria probiotics streptococcus faecalis susceptible bacteria Posted by editor on June 20th, 2007 | Filed under Herbs
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