Probiotics are becoming popular food supplements. Interestingly, each probiotic can have different effects on the body. Acidophilus is the most common type of probiotic and can be found in fermented foods, yogurts, and supplements.
What are Lactic Acid Bacteria?
Acidophilus is a type of bacteria found in the gut. It is a type of bacteria from the Lactobacillus genus genus and plays an important role in human health. Its name shows what it produces – lactic acid. It does this by producing an enzyme called lactase. Lactase breaks down the lactose found in milk into lactic acid.
Acidophilus is sometimes referred to as L. acidophilus or simply acidophilus. Lactobacilli, especially L. acidophilus, are often used as probiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines probiotics as “living microorganisms that, when administered in appropriate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”.
Unfortunately, food manufacturers overuse the word “probiotic” and apply it to bacteria that have not been scientifically proven to have certain health benefits. Because of this, the European Food Safety Authority has banned the word “probiotic” for all foods in the EU.
L. acidophilus has been extensively studied as a probiotic, and there is evidence that it may provide several health benefits. However, there are several strains of L. acidophilus, each of which can have different effects on the body.
In addition to probiotic supplements, L. acidophilus can be found naturally in several fermented foods, including sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh. It is also added to other foods, such as cheese and yogurt, as probiotics. Here are 9 ways acidophilus can help your health.
1. May Help Reduce Cholesterol
High cholesterol levels can increase your risk of heart disease. This is especially true for “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Fortunately, research has shown that certain probiotics can help lower cholesterol levels and that L. acidophilus may be more effective than other types of probiotics.
Some of these studies looked at probiotics themselves, while others used milk drinks fermented with probiotics.
One study found that taking L. acidophilus and another probiotic for six weeks significantly lowered total and LDL cholesterol, but also reduced “good” HDL cholesterol.
A similar six-week study found that L. acidophilus itself had no effect.
However, there is evidence that combining L. acidophilus with prebiotics, or indigestible carbohydrates that help the good bacteria grow, may help increase HDL cholesterol and lower blood sugar.
This has been demonstrated in studies using supplements and fermented milk drinks (probiotics and prebiotics).
Additionally, several other studies have shown that yogurt fortified with L. acidophilus can help lower cholesterol levels by up to 7% more than regular yogurt.
This suggests that lactic acid bacteria (L. acidophilus), but not other ingredients in yogurt, had beneficial effects.
Summary :
L. acidophilus may help lower cholesterol when taken with milk, yogurt, or prebiotics.
02 . Prevention and reduction of diarrhea
Diarrhea affects people for a number of reasons, including bacterial infections.
It can be dangerous if fluid is lost and, in some cases, persists for a long time due to dehydration.
Many studies have shown that probiotics such as L. acidophilus can help prevent and reduce diarrhea associated with a variety of diseases.
The evidence for the ability of L. acidophilus to treat acute diarrhea in children is mixed. Some studies have shown beneficial effects while others have not.
A meta-analysis involving over 300 children found that L. acidophilus helped reduce diarrhea, but only in hospitalized children.
Furthermore, when taken with other probiotics, L. acidophilus may help reduce radiation therapy-induced diarrhea in adult cancer patients.
Likewise, it can help reduce diarrhea associated with antibiotics and a common infection called Clostridium difficile or C.diff.
Diarrhea is also common in people who travel to other countries and are exposed to new foods and environments.
A review of 12 studies found that probiotics were effective in preventing traveler’s diarrhea, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, along with other probiotics, was most effective.
Summary :
When taken with other probiotics, L. acidophilus may help prevent and treat diarrhea.
3 . May Improve Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects 1 in 5 people in certain countries. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and abnormal bowel movements.
Little is known about what causes IBS, but some studies have shown that it can be caused by certain types of bacteria in your gut.
Therefore, many studies have investigated whether probiotics can help improve symptoms.
In a study of 60 patients with functional bowel disease, including IBS, taking L. acidophilus and other probiotics for 1-2 months improved bloating.
A similar study found that L. acidophilus alone reduced colic in patients with IBS.
On the other hand, a study examining a mixture of L. acidophilus and other probiotics did not show any effect on IBS symptoms.
Another study with this could be explained by suggesting that low doses of monomodified probiotics for a short period of time can improve most closely related symptoms.
Specifically, this study indicates that the best way to consume probiotics for IBS is to use single-strain probiotics rather than mixing for less than 8 weeks, as well as doses of less than 10 billion colony forming units (CFU). pay per day (25 trusted sources).
Specifically, the best way to take a probiotic for IBS is to use 10 billion colony-forming units (25TrustedSource) per day instead of a mixture.
Summary :
L. acidophilus may improve symptoms of IBS, such as abdominal pain and bloating.
4 . Treatment and prevention of vaginal infections
Vaginosis and vulvar candidiasis are common types of vaginal infections.
There is good evidence that L. acidophilus may help treat and prevent such infections.
Lactobacilli are usually the most common bacteria in the vagina. They produce lactic acid, which prevents the growth of other harmful bacteria.
However, for certain vaginal diseases, other bacterial species start to outnumber lactobacilli.
Several studies have shown that taking L. acidophilus as a probiotic supplement can prevent and treat vaginal infections by increasing vaginal probiotics.
Nevertheless, no other studies have shown any effect.
Eating yogurt that contains L. acidophilus may also help prevent vaginal infections. However, both studies examining this were very small and needed to be replicated on a larger scale before conclusions could be drawn.
Summary :
L. acidophilus, a probiotic supplement, may be useful in preventing vaginal diseases such as vaginosis and vulvar candidiasi5 . It can promote weight loss
Bacteria in the gut help regulate food digestion and many other body processes.
So it affects your weight.
There is some evidence that probiotics can help with weight loss. This is especially true when several species are consumed together. However, the evidence for L. acidophilus alone is not clear.
A recent study that combined results from 17 human studies and over 60 animal studies found that some Lactobacillus species were responsible for weight loss while others may have contributed to weight gain.
It has been suggested that L. acidophilus is one of the species responsible for weight gain. However, most studies have been conducted in non-human animals.
Additionally, some of these older studies have used probiotics that were originally thought to be lactobacilli (L. acidophilus) but were identified as other species.
Therefore, the evidence for L. acidophilus affecting body weight is not clear and more rigorous studies are needed.
Summary :
Probiotics may be effective for weight loss, but more research is needed to determine whether L. acidophilus has a particularly significant effect on weight in humans.
6 . May prevent and reduce cold and flu symptoms
Healthy bacteria, such as L. acidophilus, can strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of viral infections.
In fact, some studies have suggested that probiotics can prevent and improve symptoms of the common cold.
Some of these studies investigated how effectively L. acidophilus treated colds in children.
In one study of 326 children, L. acidophilus probiotics reduced fever by 53%, cough by 41%, antibiotic use by 68%, and stones by 32% for 6 months per day.
In the same study, it was found that the combination of L. acidophilus with another probiotic was more effective.
Similar studies with L. acidophilus and other probiotics have found similar positive results in reducing cold symptoms in children.
Summary :
L. acidophilus, alone or in combination with other probiotics, can reduce cold symptoms, especially in children.
7 . May help prevent and reduce allergy symptoms
Allergies are common and can cause symptoms such as a runny nose or itchy eyes.
Fortunately, there is evidence that some probiotics can reduce some allergy symptoms.
One study found that consuming a fermented milk drink containing L. acidophilus improved pollen allergy symptoms.
Similarly, taking L. acidophilus for 4 months may reduce nasal swelling and other symptoms in children with chronic allergic rhinitis.
A larger study of 47 children found similar results. It has been shown that taking L. acidophilus together with another probiotic can reduce runny nose, stuffy nose and other symptoms of hay fever.
Interestingly, probiotics reduced the amount of an antibody called immunoglobulin A in the gut that is involved in these allergic reactions .
Summary :
L. acidophilus probiotics may reduce certain allergy symptoms.
8 . May help prevent and reduce symptoms of eczema
Eczema is a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, causing itching and pain. The most common form is atopic dermatitis.
There is evidence that probiotics can reduce this inflammatory condition in both adults and children.
One study found that taking a combination of L. acidophilus and another probiotic for pregnant women and infants during the first 3 months of life reduced the prevalence of eczema by 22% by the time the infant was 1 year old.
A similar study found that L. acidophilus, along with traditional medical treatments, significantly improved the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in children.
However, not all studies have shown a positive effect. In a large study of 231 neonates administered L. acidophilus for 6 months of age, no beneficial effect was found in the case of atopic dermatosis. Indeed, it increased susceptibility to allergens.
Summary :
While some studies have shown that L. acidophilus probiotics may help reduce the prevalence and symptoms of eczema, other studies show no benefit.
9 . good for gut health
Your gut is lined with trillions of bacteria that play an important role in your health.
In general, probiotics are very good for gut health.
They produce lactic acid, which prevents harmful bacteria from occupying the gut. It also prevents damage to the lining of the intestines.
L. acidophilus may increase the amount of other healthy bacteria in the gut, including other probiotics and Bifidobacteria.
It may also increase levels of fatty acids like butyrate, which promote gut health.
Another study carefully investigated the effects of L. acidophilus on the gut. They found that consumption as probiotics increased the expression of genes in the gut that are involved in the immune response.
These results suggest that L. acidophilus may support a healthy immune system.
A separate study investigated the effects of a combination of L. acidophilus and a prebiotic on gut health in humans.
The combined supplement has been shown to increase the amount of probiotics and bifidobacteria in the gut, as well as fatty acids, an important part of a healthy gut.
Summary :
L. acidophilus can support gut health by increasing the amount of healthy bacteria in the gut.
How to get the most out of L. acidophilus
L. acidophilus is a normal bacterium in a healthy gut, but you can get many health benefits by taking it as a supplement or eating foods containing it.
L. acidophilus can be taken as a probiotic supplement, alone or in combination with other probiotics or prebiotics.
However, it is also found in many foods, especially fermented foods.
The best food sources of L. acidophilus are:
- Yogurt : Yogurt is usually made from bacteria such as L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus. Some yogurts also contain L. acidophilus.
- Kefir (traditional fermented milk from Eastern European countries in Russia): Kefir is made from “grains” of bacteria and yeast, and can be added to milk or water to produce a healthy fermented beverage. Although the types of bacteria and yeast in kefir can vary, they usually contain lactic acid bacteria (L. acidophilus).
- Miso (Japanese soybean paste), Korean kimchi, soybean paste, etc .: Miso soybean paste is a Korean sauce made by fermenting soybeans. The main microorganism of miso is a mold called koji (Aspergillus oryzae), but miso may contain many bacteria, including L. acidophilus.
- Tempe (Indonesian food made from steamed and fermented soybeans): Tempeh is another food made from fermented soybeans. May contain several microorganisms, including L. acidophilus.
- Cheese: Different types of cheese are produced using different bacteria. Although L. acidophilus is not commonly used as a cheese starter culture, many studies have investigated the effect of adding it as a probiotic.
- Sauerkraut (German-style sauerkraut with kimchi) : Sauerkraut is a fermented food made from cabbage. Most of the bacteria in sauerkraut are L. acidophilus.
The best way to get L. acidophilus outside of food is directly from a supplement.
Many L. acidophilus probiotic supplements can be used alone or in combination with other probiotics. Aim for more than 1 billion CFU of probiotics per serving .
Ideally, if you’re taking probiotics, it’s best to have breakfast.
If you are taking probiotics for the first time, take them once daily for a week or two and then evaluate how you feel before continuing.
Summary :
L. acidophilus can be consumed as a probiotic supplement, but is also found in large quantities in many fermented foods.
Conclusion
L. acidophilus is a fungal bacterium that is commonly found in the gut and is important for health.
Due to its ability to produce lactic acid and interact with the immune system, it can help prevent and treat symptoms of various diseases.
To increase L. acidophilus in your gut, eat fermented foods, including those listed above.
L. acidophilus can provide health benefits for everyone, whether consumed through food or supplements.
