Are Acidophilus & Probiotics The Same?

Probiotics are live micro-organisms that can be beneficial to your health. Acidophilus, also known by its scientific name Lactobacillus acidophilus or L. acidophilus, is the most commonly used probiotic. Other micro-organisms that are often used as probiotics include several members of the Lactobacillus family as well as a few other species and even a type of yeast. Probiotics are predominantly used to combat certain digestive issues and to help protect the body from harmful bacteria.

Probiotics and Your Digestive System

The most frequent use for probiotics such as acidophilus is in helping to keep the digestive system running smoothly. Probiotic therapy is often recommended by physicians after a regimen of antibiotics in order to restore beneficial gut bacteria. Additionally, the most scientific evidence on the benefits of probiotic therapy has been collected on probiotics' role in helping prevent diarrhea. According to a meta-analysis published in the November 2008 issue of "American Family Physician," probiotics reduced the risk of developing antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 52 percent. Another meta-analysis found that probiotics significantly reduced the risk of acute infectious diarrhea within three days. L. acidophilus was one of the probiotic strains evaluated in both cases.

Other Uses for Probiotics

Lactobacillus acidophilus has also been explored for use in treating vaginal yeast infections. While evidence has been inconclusive about oral probiotics' role in helping treat yeast infections, a study published in 1995 found that women who used a vaginal suppository that contained live acidophilus bacteria every day for a week reported a lessening of their symptoms.

Probiotics are also sometimes used to treat lung infections, infant colic, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance and urinary tract infections, or UTIs. According to the National Institutes of Health, there is no currently sufficient evidence to warrant recommending probiotics to treat lactose intolerance or UTIs.

Sources and Dosages of Probiotics

While probiotics are found in some fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, miso and tempeh, the most commonly used source of probiotics is in the form of supplements. Probiotics are measured in colony-forming units, or
CFUs. Your dosage will vary with your condition and situation, so be sure to talk with your doctor before starting a probiotic regimen. For diarrhea, your doctor may recommend between 1 and 2 billion CFUs, or as much as 10 to 15 CFUs per day.

Probiotic Contraindications

Although probiotics like acidophilus are generally considered safe for most people to take, in certain situations you should avoid them. People who are severely immunocompromised from disease or cancer treatment should not take probiotics because of a risk of developing a blood infection. If you have any artificial heart valves, there could be a risk of acidophilus colonization, so you should avoid probiotics. If you have had surgery on your intestines, your physician might also recommend you avoid probiotics.

Probiotics can cause a few side effects, mostly gastronomic distress like bloating and gas. In women who use acidophilus tablets as a suppository, burning has been reported in the vagina.

Be sure to talk with your health care provider before you begin any medication or supplement regimen.