Acidophilus Supplement Health Benefits vs Side Effects

Acidophilus supplements are easily found in health food stores, supermarkets and online shops, but not all sources are equal.

Although lactobacillus acidophilus is found naturally in foods most people eat like onions, barley and tomatoes, many people do not eat enough of these foods in their normal diet. Food products, such as yogurt, milk and orange juice are often enriched with these helpful and powerful probiotic bacteria.

However, the quantities of probiotic colonies in these food products is often too low to cause significant changes to health and immunity.

Because of this, supplementation with capsules, pills or liquids containing the live bacteria has become a common and healthy practice.

Probiotics

Digestive Supplement

Gut Health

Digestion

Immune Function

How It Works:

• Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
• Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
• Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism

Dosage:

Between 1 - 10 Billion CFUs per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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History of Acidophilus Supplements

A scientist at the Louis Pasteur Institute was the first to isolate Lactobacillus acidophilus, or L. acidophilus. He went on to theorize that many diseases were related to, or caused by, harmful bacteria living in our guts.

Today, research shows that the immune system is directly influenced by the intestinal microflora balance. Using probiotic supplements, you can dramatically improve the health of the microbiome in your gut, leading to improved immune function and digestive processing.

When acidophilus is taken as part of a daily health regimen, it works to keep the bad bacteria in check throughout the digestive tract.

When sugars are ingested, acidophilus breaks them down and converts them into lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and other chemical compounds. This generates an inhospitable environment for more fragile bacteria, including those which are harmful to us.

Effects of Acidophilus Supplementation

Acidophilus is found naturally in the GI tract, the vagina and the mouth. In the GI tract, is works to combat a host of infectious processes by out-competing unhealthy microorganisms.

In the vagina, acidophilus supplements are used in suppository form to fight yeast and Candida infections.

Candida can also live in the mouth where acidophilus supplementation is used to quickly and effectively out-colonize and out-maneuver it.

Common digestive disorders like bloating, flatulence, abdominal discomfort and constipation may be helped with acidophilus supplements. Many of the common foods we eat every day can leave us feeling bloated after a meal.

The feeling of distention of the abdomen can be uncomfortable and painful. Sugars, cruciferous vegetables, beans, legumes, dairy and whole grains are foods which are known to contribute to bloating.

Healthy gut flora, when properly balanced, is able to work quickly to digest and break down these foods before they can cause bloating and distention.

Gas, or flatulence, is usually caused by food allergies, medications, gas-causing-foods and ingestion of air. Taking L. acidophilus daily, or in conjunction with meals, aids the digestive process by breaking down foods properly, thereby reducing some causes of gas.

Reports of food allergies being eased, reduced or eliminated are common after adding an acidophilus supplement to a daily regimen.

When the microbiota of the gut is in balance, and the good bacterial agents are dominant and free to function properly, many people report an improvement with regular and normal bowel movements.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus may help to prevent constipation, diarrhea and inflammation of the digestive tract.

Where to Find Acidophilus Supplements

Food products which are enriched with lactobacillus acidophilus can be found in nearly any health food store, or at local markets.

These foods are usually healthy and good for you, but random studies analyzing the strains of bacteria in yogurts, milk and other food products found that many of them did not contain the specific strain of bacteria noted, nor did they have the number of live cells indicated on the ingredient labels.

Supplementation via a standardized daily dose found in capsule, pill, tablet, suppository or liquid is recommended. Supplements containing bacteria which have been freeze-dried may have more living organisms than others and offer an extended shelf-life.

If taking an acidophilus supplement each day, an oral dose should contain at least 1 billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units), but no more than 2 billion CFUs.

If using an acidophilus supplement to restore the microflora after antibiotics, a temporary oral dose of 10-20 billion CFUs is often recommended.

Check with your doctor for her recommendation. Suppository supplements may have up to 10 billion live bacteria in a single tablet.

Side Effects

Most individuals can take acidophilus supplements without any concern for side effects or contraindications.

Some mild complaints such as bloating, gas or discomfort have been reported but usually subside with continued use.

People who should not take acidophilus supplements include:

• those taking immunosuppressive medications (for organ transplant)
• those whose immune system is weakened
• those with artificial heart valves (due to a rare side effect of bacterial infection)

Probiotics can interact with antibiotics. Speak with your doctor regarding all medications and supplements being taken before beginning supplementation with L. acidophilus.

Review of Acidophilus Supplement

For good digestive health and proper immune function, supplementation with L. acidophilus is a good choice. It can be taken in conjunction with other symptom-specific probiotics for maximum effect.

It is often prescribed by doctors after a course of treatment involving antibiotics, and used frequently to treat diarrhea, constipation and other digestive tract disorders. Treatment of vaginosis and yeast infection are also common uses for this versatile probiotic.

Acidophilus supplements can be found online or in many of the better health food stores, as well as local markets.

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