Not all types of bacteria are harmful; having some bacteria in the body actually helps to protect against disease. To help improve overall health, there are products like yogurt that claim to provide the body with helpful types of bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus. However, the addition of these probiotics to food is not regulated and claims made by manufacturers may be misleading.
Lactobacillus Bacteria
Lactobacillus is just one of many types of bacteria; there are many species of lactobacillus. This type of bacteria is not considered harmful and it is found within the digestive, urinary and genital systems, says MedlinePlus. Lactobacillis can also be found in products that are fermented and is used to treat many symptoms including diarrhea, upset stomach, digestive diseases and yeast infections. Manufacturers of yogurts that contain lactobacillus acidophilus claim that eating their yogurt can help to increase the amount of good bacteria in your system to help fight off disease.
Benefits
Having enough good bacteria in your digestive system can protect you from disease and help the body recover from illness in several ways. Lactobacillus acidophilus helps to break down the food you eat into byproducts such as lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, both of which make it hard for harmful bacteria to grow. Taking antibiotics can destroy both the good and bad kinds of bacteria. Consuming yogurt with lactobacillus acidophilus may help to replenish your supply of good bacteria. The exact dosage needed depends on the condition you are trying to prevent or treat, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. The recommended dosage can range from 1 to 15 billion colony-forming units, or CFUs, per day.
Considerations
While consuming yogurt with lactobacillus acidophilus may help improve your health, much more research needs to be done to determine the correct dosage and what strains of bacteria help specific conditions. Bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus fall under the category of probiotics. Probiotics are not regulated, so there is no sure way to know how much you are getting per cup of yogurt, notes the Cleveland Clinic. Since yogurt is part of a healthy diet there is no harm in consuming 1 to 2 cups per day. Still, there is no guarantee that you will alter the level of lactobacillus acidophilus in your system.
Sugar and Fat Consumption
Eating a cup of yogurt every day can provide your body with calcium, vitamin D and many other essential vitamins and minerals. However, some types of yogurt can also be high in fat, sugar and calories. When looking for a brand of yogurt that has live bacteria cultures such as lactobacillus acidophilus, make sure to read the nutrition label and be aware of how much fat, sugar and calories are in a serving size. In addition read the nutrition label carefully as some containers of yogurt have more then one serving.
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