Constipation may occur for a variety of reasons, including illness or a change in diet. While certain foods and vitamin supplements may increase the risk of constipation, other substances, such as acidophilus, may help treat this condition. Consult your doctor before taking nutritional supplements to treat a medical condition or symptom, including constipation.
Constipation
A change in your normal bowel movements is one of the main symptoms of constipation. This disorder occurs when your bowel movements become less frequent and contain hard dry stools. Constipation may make you feel as if you need to strain to produce a bowel movement. Bloating often accompanies constipation. Common causes of constipation include dehydration, consuming a low-fiber diet, putting off going to the bathroom and lack of exercise.
Acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus, an organism that lives in your small intestine, helps maintain the health of your digestive system. This beneficial type of bacteria may help provide protection against asthma, vaginal infections, eczema, intestinal disorders and high cholesterol, although many claims require additional research. Some people use acidophilus supplements to help treat both chronic constipation and bouts of diarrhea. Medical research does not indicate that acidophilus increases the risk of developing constipation or diarrhea, however.
Dosage
Acidophilus supplements come in several forms, including liquid preparations and fortified yogurt, as well as freeze-dried granules, capsules and powders. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the recommended amount of acidophilus for adults is between 1 and 15 billion CFUs, or colony-forming units, per day, depending on the condition you are treating. This daily dosage may help maintain the health of your intestines. Your doctor may recommend taking acidophilus two to three hours after consuming antibiotic medications.
Precautions
Although acidophilus seldom causes problems in most individuals, you may experience minor side effects, such as diarrhea, upset stomach and gas. Acidophilus is unlikely to cause constipation. Chronic constipation may indicate the presence of an underlying illness, making it important to tell your doctor about constipation that includes abdominal or rectal pain, bloody stool, unintentional weight loss or bouts of constipation that alternate with bouts of diarrhea. MayoClinic.com warns that people who have milk allergies or weakened immune systems should avoid taking acidophilus.
