Both acidophilus and dophilus are associated with probiotic supplements. Probiotics treat many health conditions from diarrhea and lactose intolerance to vaginal yeast infections. However, where dophilus can be a name of a probiotic supplement, acidophilus is a common bacterial ingredient in these supplements.
Probiotics
Your gastrointestinal tract contains several species of "friendly" bacteria that form your intestinal microflora, or normal flora. Sometimes the bacteria in your normal flora become depleted, which can cause colonization of new, harmful bacteria.
Probiotics are supplements that contain beneficial, live micro-organisms that can help restore your normal flora and replace the harmful microbes. Common probiotic bacteria include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species including L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. reuteri, B. bifidium and B. infantis.
Benefits
Probiotic products treat and prevent several health conditions. However, the effectiveness of probiotics is questionable. According to the MayoClinic.com, good scientific evidence suggests that probiotic L. acidophilus is effective in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. In addition, some evidence suggests probiotics may help treat yeast infections, lactose intolerance, necrotising enterocolitis, thrush, diaper rash and diarrhea.
According to Peter Cartwright, an assistant director of the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease and an author of three books about intestinal health, probiotic supplements can help treat diarrhea caused by viral infections, such as rotavirus and diarrhea associated with antibiotic use. Antibiotics kill harmful bacteria as well as the beneficial bacteria in your intestine and this can lead to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Probiotics can help restore normal flora in your intestine and help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic bacteria, normally found in the small intestine and vagina. The bacteria has many beneficial qualities and is a common addition to probiotic supplements, such as oral pills, vaginal suppositories and yogurts. According to the MayoClinic.com, intestinal L. acidophilus produces essential vitamin K, lactase and many anti-microbial substances. Lactase is an enzyme that digests lactose, a sugar present in dairy products, and helps prevent symptoms that dairy products cause in people with lactose intolerance.
Dophilus
Dophilus is a probiotic supplement and not a bacterial strain. Several brands market their products with dophilus in the name including Jarrow Formulas, Now Foods and Country Life. Dophilus probiotic supplements can contain several different bacteria, including L. acidophilus. Dophilus supplements contain live bacteria in a powder, and can be taken in a pill form or sprinkled onto your food.
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