Introduction:
Acidophilus probiotics are bacteria that occur naturally in the body. It is mainly found in the digestive system, urinary tract, and other body parts. It is also used as a probiotic to improve the good bacteria in the body. Acidophilus probiotics prevent the bad bacteria from flourishing and promote health. It is the most common probiotic type in fermented food and supplements.
What Is Acidophilus Probiotics?
Acidophilus is a common good bacteria found in the mouth, stomach, intestines, lungs, vagina and urinary tract. It helps the body to break down food and provide nourishment. The ‘good bacteria’ support the proper functioning of the digestive and immune systems. In addition, it keeps control of the harmful micro-organisms.
Acidophilus belongs to the Lactobacillus genus of bacteria. As its name suggests, it produces lactic acid, a probiotic. It helps to maintain the body's acidic pH. It produces an enzyme called lactase, which helps to break down lactose (a sugar found in milk) into lactic acid. The bacteria is commonly used for its probiotic properties. According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), probiotics are ‘live microorganisms that are beneficial to the host's health when given in adequate amounts.’ However, the term is often overused by manufacturing companies and often loses its importance in daily life.
How Is Acidophilus Beneficial to Humans?
Acidophilus is beneficial to human health in many ways. Some of these can include:
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Manage Cholesterol: The risk of heart disease is high with elevated cholesterol levels, especially LDL cholesterol (low-density lipids). Studies have shown that probiotics can reduce cholesterol levels. Acidophilus is known for its efficiency in reducing cholesterol levels compared to other types of probiotics. Combining acidophilus with prebiotics, which helps the bacteria to grow, can help increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and reduce blood sugar levels. Research shows that adding the bacteria along with probiotics and prebiotics can help reduce cholesterol levels by up to seven percent compared to ordinary yogurt.
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Manage Diarrhea: Acidophilus is known to help prevent and manage diarrhea. Diarrhea can be dangerous if it lasts for many days and can have many causative factors. Severe cases that last for many days can cause dehydration and a large amount of fluid loss from the body, leaving the patient tired and even unconscious. Studies have shown that acidophilus can help prevent and manage diarrhea in adults, while it is still questionable in children. It is seen to be beneficial in reducing diarrhea caused by radiotherapy when mixed with another probiotic. It has been efficient in managing diarrhea caused by antibiotics and other infections like Clostridium difficile. Studies also reveal that it is effective in managing traveler’s diarrhea (a type of diarrhea that is seen when people are suddenly exposed to a new environment or food patterns, usually seen while people travel).
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Improve Symptoms of IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating. In some countries, it is so common that one in five people have the condition. The cause of the condition is still unclear. The common signs of the condition include pain in the abdomen, bloating, and unusual bowel movements. Acidophilus is seen to improve the symptoms of IBS. According to research, the best or the most effective method to manage the condition is to take a single strain of probiotics for a period of fewer than eight weeks.
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Vaginal Infections: The common infections of the vaginal region include vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Studies show that acidophilus plays an important role in managing vaginal infections. It is, in fact, a part of the vaginal flora. When there occurs an imbalance in the normal vaginal flora, it can result in infections. The acidophilus in the vaginal flora produces lactic acid, which prevents the growth and multiplication of the harmful bacteria. As a result, vaginal infections are prevented. Studies show that taking probiotics daily helps to increase the number of acidophilus in the vaginal flora, thereby keeping vaginal infections under control.
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Promote Weight Loss: The bacteria in the intestines helps in the process of digestion and can affect weight management. Studies show that acidophilus has a positive effect on digestion, thereby promoting weight loss. However, some other studies show that it can hurt digestion, causing weight gain. Hence, more research is required to conclude the effect of acidophilus on weight management.
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Manage Cold and Flu: Healthy bacteria play an important role in boosting immunity. A strong immune system helps to keep infections at bay. Some studies show that the bacteria helps manage cold and flu symptoms. Children consuming probiotics containing acidophilus helped to reduce fever by 53 percent, coughing by 41 percent, antibiotic use by 68 percent, and, as a result, absence to school by thirty-two percent. Studies show that combining acidophilus and other probiotics was even more beneficial.
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Reduce Signs of Allergies: When a person's immune system reacts to a substance that is harmless to everyone else, it is called an allergy. A runny nose or itchy eyes can be the common symptoms. Studies show that some probiotics can be beneficial in reducing these symptoms. One study showed that fermented drinks containing acidophilus effectively improved the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollen allergy. Another study showed that probiotics containing acidophilus helped reduce nasal swelling and other symptoms in children with perennial allergic rhinitis. Perennial allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory condition causing nasal obstruction, sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
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Manage Eczema: Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes itchiness and pain. Studies show that the use of probiotics can help to manage these symptoms. Another study showed that using probiotics in pregnant women helped reduce the risk of babies developing eczema up to one year of age. Studies show that they effectively managed symptoms of other inflammatory skin conditions when combined with traditional medical therapies.
Conclusion:
Acidophilus is a good bacteria that helps prevent many health issues. In addition, they help prevent disease and improve health by strengthening the immune system. They also help to improve the gut microbiota and boost immunity. It can be taken as a supplement or added to the diet in the form of fermented food like yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, etc. Acidophilus helps to prevent diseases and boost immunity by producing lactic acid. This prevents the overgrowth of any harmful bacteria in the body.
