Friendly bacteria are a normal part of the human system, where they promote intestinal and genital health and protect against harmful types of bacteria. When the balance between good and bad bacteria is disrupted, an infection can result. The probiotic supplement Lactobacillus acidophilus may be effective in the treatment or prevention of some types of infection.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a subtype of the Lactobacillus family of friendly bacteria, or probiotics, commonly found in supplement form. It is also present in yogurt and fermented soy products like miso and tempeh. It is often used to restore the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut or vagina after a course of antibiotics or to help battle "bad" bacteria that may have been introduced to the body. Acidophilus supplements are available as dried granules or powders in capsule form, as liquid, in enriched milk or in yogurt containing live cultures.
Lung Infections
MedlinePlus notes that children between the ages of 1 and 6 who attend daycare centers seem to be ore resistant to lung and respiratory infections when given milk enriched with containing Lactobacillus GG, or a specific combination product containing both Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. To treat and prevent respiratory infections in children, offer 120 mL, or 4 oz., of milk enriched with 5 billion colony-forming units of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. Milk enriched with lactobacillus GG, another probiotic in the lactobacillus family, is also effective.
Bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast Infections
Researchers have found that Lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories may be useful in treating vaginal infections caused by bacteria, or bacterial vaginosis, notes MedlinePlus. A study published in the journal "Sexually Transmitted Diseases" in 1992 showed that suppositories containing Lactobacillus acidophilus were successful in treating 16 out of 28 women with bacterial vaginosis, as opposed to 0 out of 29 women who were treated with a placebo. Acidophilus capsules are available specifically for this purpose. Consult your doctor. This treatment may also be effective against vaginal yeast infections, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Gastrointestinal Infections
Doctors from the University of Washington School of Medicine reviewed research on the use of Lactobacillus acidophilus and other probiotics to treat gastrointestinal infections. Their conclusions, which appeared in the June 2006 issue of the journal "Gastroenterology Clinics of North America," indicate that probiotic supplements work to prevent certain types of gastrointestinal infection, but evidence for their ability to treat existing infection is mixed. Evidence does show that probiotics can help reduce the severity of diarrhea in children and possibly in adults. More well-designed clinical trials are necessary before definite recommendations can be made.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Lactobacillus Acidophilus; Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
- Medline Plus: Lactobacillus; June 2011
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; An Introduction to Probiotics; 2007
- "Sexually Transmitted Diseases"; Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis with Lactobacilli; A. Hallen et al.; 1992
- "Gastroenterology Clinics of North America"; Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Infections; E. S. Huebner et al.; 2006
Member Comments