ACIDOPHILUS BENEFITS, SIDE EFFECTS, PILLS, SUPPLEMENTS

Acidophilus benefits, side effects, pills and supplements

LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS BENEFITS

1.LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS BENEFITS - INFECTION PREVENTION
Lactobacillus acidophilus may have importance in the prevention and adjuvant therapy of new-born and childhood enteritis,
certain inflammations and antibiotic associated diarrhoea. Administration of lactobacillus acidophilus creates eubiosis between
the human organism and the world of bacteria assuring normal physiologic functions for the well-being of the organism. [2,3]

Lactobacillus acidophilus adheres to Caco-2 and mucus-secreting HT-29 cell culture systems, produces antimicrobial
compounds, and is amenable to genetic manipulation and directed DNA introduction. Lactobacillus acidophilus survives
gastrointestinal tract transit in both healthy and diseased populations.

A blend of probiotic strains containing lactobacillus acidophilus decreased the incidence of pediatric diarrhea. Lactobacillus
acidophilus led to a significant decrease in levels of toxic amines in the blood of dialysis patients with small bowel bacterial
overgrowth. At adequate daily feeding levels, Lactobacillus acidophilus may facilitate lactose digestion in lactose-intolerant
subjects. Further validation of the probiotic properties of NCFM in humans and clarification of its mechanisms of probiotic
action are needed to better understand the role this strain might play in promoting human health. [4]

The biological activity of lactobacillus acidophilus is due in part to their ability to attach to enterocytes. This inhibits the binding
of enteric pathogens by a process of competitive exclusion, i.e. competition for nutrients and adhesion sites. [3] Attachment of
lactobacillus acidophilus to cell surface receptors of enterocytes also initiates signalling events that result in the synthesis of
cytokines. Lactobacillus acidophilus also exerts an influence on commensal micro-organisms by the production of organic
acids (e.g.lactic acids), hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic-like compounds and bacteriocins. These substances inhibit growth of
pathogens and also alter the ecological balance of enteric commensals. [1]

Lactobacillus acidophilus benefits - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Although the cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not known, one possibility is a disturbance in healthy intestinal bacteria.
Based on this theory, Lactobacillus acidophilus have been tried as a treatment for IBS. Benefits were seen in three other small
double-blind trials as well, using Lactobacillus acidophilus. [5]

LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS BENEFITS - CANCER
Production of butyric acid lactobacillus acidophilus affects the turnover of enterocytes and neutralizes the activity of dietary
carcinogens, such as nitrosamines, that are generated by the metabolic activity of commensal bacteria in subjects consuming
a high-protein diet. Therefore, inclusion of lactobacillus acidophilus in fermented dairy products enhances their value as better
therapeutic functional foods. [1] A study has shown that lactobacillus acidophilus inhibited aberrant crypt formation in
mutagenized rats, indicative of activity that could decrease the risk of colon cancer. [4]

LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS BENEFITS - CHOLESTEROL
Lactobacillus acidophilus may be able to inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (an enzyme for cholesterol
biosynthesis) and promote the excretion of dietary cholesterol in feces. Thus, lactobacillus acidophilus has the benefit for high
cholesterol [3]

LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS BENEFITS - IMMUNE RESPONSE
One study found that Lactobacillus acidophilus may improve the immune response to vaccinations. 6

Sources and Commercial Supplements
Dairy products such as yogurt and kefir are good sources of acidophilus. Supplements are widely available in powder, liquid,
capsule, or tablet form. Grocery stores and natural food stores both carry milk that contains live acidophilus. Dosages of
acidophilus are expressed in billions of organisms. A typical daily dose should supply about 3 to 5 billion live organisms.
Acidophilus 4X6 Powder, Now, has 4 billion potency (2 billion lactobacillus acidophilus) and 6 probiotic strains per serving (1/4
teaspoon; 700 mg). Acidophilus 2 Billion, Now, has 2 billion potency (2 billion lactobacillus acidophilus) per serving (1/2
teaspoon; 1 g). Mega Acidophilus, Natural Factors, has 6 billion active cells (5.7 billion of L. rhamnosus and L. acidophilus)
and 200 mg of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) per serving. Most acidophilus products require refrigerated for maintaining the
potency. The shelf-life is about 1-2 years.

Reference
[1] Kailasapathy K et al Survival and therapeutic potential of probiotic organisms with reference to Lactobacillus acidophilus
and Bifidobacterium spp. Immunol Cell Biol. 2000 Feb;78(1):80-8. [2] Halmy C et al, The role of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the
prevention and adjuvant therapy of certain infectious diseases Orv Hetil. 1998 Sep 27;139(39):2313-8. [3] Mital BK et al,
Anticarcinogenic, hypocholesterolemic, and antagonistic activities of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Crit Rev Microbiol.
1995;21(3):175-214. [4] Sanders ME et al, Invited review: the scientific basis of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM functionality
as a probiotic. J Dairy Sci. 2001 Feb;84(2):319-31. 5. Halpern GM, Prindiville T, Blankenberg M, et al. Treatment of irritable
bowel syndrome with Lacteol Fort: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial. Am J Gastroenterol.
1996;91:1579–1585. 6. de Vrese M, Rautenberg P, Laue C, et al. Probiotic bacteria stimulate virus-specific neutralizing
antibodies following a booster polio vaccination. Eur J Nutr. 2004 Dec 1

Lactobacilus Acidophilus is lactic acid-producing bacteria, it ferments sugars into lactic acid. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a species in the genus Lactobacillus.
L. acidophilus grows readily at pHs below 5.0. Lactobacillus acidophilus can be found in the human and animal gastrointestinal (GI) tract, mouth and vagina.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is probiotic, which can also be found in certain yogurt. Lactobacillus acidophilus possesses health-promoting attributes; it passes
through the intestine benefiting host's physiology. These Lactobacilus acidophilus strains survive in GI transit, are resistant to bile and low pH, and even
digestive enzymes. In fact, Lactobacillus acidophilus may help lactose digestion in lactose-intolerant subjects, reduction of high serum cholesterol levels. We
shall discuss more on the potential benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the next section.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is widely used as live pills, supplements. The potential benefits of lactobacillus acidophilus in fermented dairy products are
dependent on their survival during manufacture and storage. Lactobacillus acidophilus is increasingly used in food and pharmaceutical applications to
balance disturbed intestinal microflora and related dysfunction of the human GI tract. Lactobacillus acidophilus has been reported to provide excellent
therapeutic benefits. [1] Lactobacillus acidophilus may produce bacteriocin CH5 to against certain yeasts and moulds, as well as Salmonella Typhimurium and
Campylobacter jejuni. However, oral antibiotics can also kill beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacilus acidophilus. Sometimes after a medical therapy,
patients are asked to take a course of Lactobacillus acidophilus to recolonize this healthy bacteria in our GI tract.
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