The various strains of Lactobacillus include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus GC, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri. These different strains all have slightly different effects in the body, but all may be beneficial in protecting against disease and maintaining a healthy balance of beneficial flora in the gut. Lactobacillus strains are available as supplements in capsule, table or liquid form, as active or freeze-dried cultures for addition into foods or in yogurt cultured with these bacterial strains.
Diarrhea Prevention
The strain Lactobacillus GG is useful in treating traveler's diarrhea and diarrhea in children who have rotavirus. Diarrhea caused by antibiotic use is another condition treatable with Lactobacillus GG. Lactobacillus acidophilus may also be helpful for these conditions, although results from studies done so far have been mixed. The levels of probiotic bacteria may be a factor in whether this strain is effective, but further research is required. Regular ingestion of yogurt containing Lactobacillus may aid in the prevention of gastrointestinal infections that can cause diarrhea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Digestive Tract Diseases
The bowel disorder ulcerative colitis may be prevented by a specific combination of lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, and streptococcus, according to MedlinePlus. The strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum may be used to treat irritable bowel disorder, although studies as to the effectiveness and dosing are still ongoing. Lactobacillus might also have an effect against Helicobacter pylori, the microorganism responsible for the formation of stomach ulcers.
Vaginal Tract Infections
Lactobacillus acidophilus can help treat and prevent bacterial vaginosis, an infection of the vaginal canal, when taken as a supplement, eaten in yogurt or administered as a vaginal suppository, explains MayoClinic.com. Vaginal capsules containing Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus may help prevent recurrences of bacterial vaginosis. The use of Lactobacillus acidophilus for vaginal yeast infection remains insufficiently studied, with some small scale studies supporting this use and others showing no effect.
Other Possible Benefits
The activity of various strains of Lactobacillus on a range of diseases remains under study. Small scale studies have indicated a possible benefit of Lactobacillus acidophilus against Japanese cedar pollen allergy and high cholesterol. Other potential benefits of Lactobacillus under investigation include asthma prevention, urinary tract infections, Lyme disease, fever blisters and the infant digestive disorder, necrotizing enterocolitis. According to MedlinePlus, lactobacillus GG or a product with a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium helps prevent lung infections in children between 1 and 6 years old.
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