Acidophilus, milk fermented from bacterial cultures, has been used to treat digestive disorders, which may help to relieve or prevent acid reflux. This common probiotic helps maintain an acidic balance in the body. Probiotics have been called “healthy” bacteria, and they help to combat harmful bacteria in the body. Foods and supplements containing acidophilus may work effectively along with an acid reflux diet for protection against acid reflux symptoms. Check with your doctor for dietary and medical advice if you experience frequent acid reflux.
Causes and Triggers
Acid reflux causes the burning or painful feeling of heartburn in your upper chest and throat. You may feel a sour or acidic taste in the back of your mouth from stomach acid backup into the esophagus. Symptoms may result from a relaxed esophageal muscle. The muscle normally opens as contents enter the stomach and then closes. A relaxed muscle does not shut tightly and allows acid reflux to occur. Certain foods may relax the muscle and trigger symptoms. Although you may have specific trigger foods, common culprits include fried and fatty foods, tomato-based products, citrus fruits, chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages and alcohol.
Food Sources
Just as acid reflux sufferers need to avoid certain trigger foods, they also benefit by including foods that combat acid reflux in their diets. Food sources of acidophilus include yogurt and fermented soy products. Manufacturers may add acidophilus to milk and milk products for the beneficial effects of probiotics. Acidophilus helps to maintain a healthy intestinal tract and aids digestion, MayoClinic.com notes. Acidophilus occurs naturally in the body and you also can get it from foods. Using foods or supplements containing the probiotic for medicinal purposes has not been supported by clinical research.
Supplements
Acidophilus belongs to a group of probiotics and contains one or more bacteria. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking probiotic supplements with lactobacillus acidophilus each day to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD. The disorder results from frequent acid reflux. The supplements may help to balance the digestive system to relieve GERD symptoms.
Reducing Fat
Yogurt and other dairy products that contain acidophilus also have high saturated fat content. Saturated fat may increase the risk of acid reflux. Choose low-fat or nonfat yogurt and other dairy products to reduce your fat intake and receive the benefits of acidophilus. Acid reflux diets usually include low-fat, high-fiber foods. A diet may include lean meat, skinless chicken, fish, low-fat dairy foods, non-citrus fruits, vegetables and whole-grains, such as breads, pasta, cereal, brown rice and oatmeal.
