Nearly 19 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to 2011 statistics the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse has compiled. Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that increases your risk of oral health problems, cardiovascular disease, damage to your nervous system and kidney failure. Acidophilus --- a probiotic from dairy products --- may help you manage your blood sugar levels.
Probiotics
The small and large intestine teem with trillions of bacterial cells. The balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria has important implications for health, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Probiotics --- found in dietary supplements and fermented foods --- are healthy forms of bacteria that combat potentially harmful bacteria. Probiotics are commonly used to promote healthy digestion and reduce the incidence of diarrhea. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a popular probiotic derived from dairy products.
Evidence
Supplementing with Lactobacillus acidophilus promotes healthy blood glucose control, according to the November 2010 "British Journal of Nutrition." In this study of 45 adults with Type-2 diabetes, Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements were given daily for four weeks. The researchers found that because Lactobacillus acidophilus boosted sensitivity to the hormone insulin, it helped maintain healthy blood glucose levels. That was not the case for the control group that did not take acidophilus.
How They Work
The authors of the aforementioned "British Journal of Nutrition" study note that the mechanisms behind the benefits of probiotics upon diabetes are unclear. However, they note that a healthy bacterial environment in the gut helps regulate your immune system and reduces inflammation --- a key contributor to insulin resistance and destruction of insulin-producing cells. Also, probiotics help strengthen the intestinal wall, preventing the passage of bad bacteria into the bloodstream. Such adverse activity in the bloodstream can further increase inflammation and insulin resistance.
Considerations
Though probiotics are generally considered safe, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine warns that the science backing probiotics for health is sparse. As with all dietary supplements, check with your doctor before taking Lactobacillus acidophilus. Other ways of treating your diabetes include taking the medications your doctor prescribes, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and keeping your weight within a healthy range.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: National Diabetes Statistics, 2011
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM on insulin sensitivity and the systemic inflammatory response in human subjects; A. Andreasen, et al.; September 2010
