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GNC Natural Brand
Acidophilus the
probiotic
bacteria
Your
digestive tract is host to about 400 different kinds of bacteria and yeasts.
Among these, Lactobacillus acidophilus and other members of the
Lactobacillus family are especially important to your health.
Acidophilus is considered a "probiotic" bacteria because it helps to
maintain intestinal health, and serves as a natural antibiotic against
potentially harmful organisms. Taking acidophilus as a nutritional
supplement will help maintain the normal balance of beneficial bacteria in
the intestines and vagina.
Yet despite
scientific evidence of the benefits of probiotics and their successful
medicinal use elsewhere in the world, acceptance among conventional North
American physicians has come slowly. A 2002 article in the journal
Microbes and Infection, for instance, notes that our concern for "clean"
has not only spawned multiple brands of antibacterial soaps and detergents,
but may also explain a lack of widespread appreciation that bacteria can be
good for health.
An excellent
food source of acidophilus is yogurt, long valued for its therapeutic and
nutritional benefits. However, there are wide variations in the quantities
of this probiotic bacteria found in yogurt, and some brands contain none at all, making
it difficult to get reliable amounts. To ensure quality, some commercial
manufacturers add the active cultures after pasteurization,
a heating
process that can destroy both unwanted and beneficial organisms.
Acidophilus
supplements are an effective alternative. These are sold in health-food
stores, often in combination with
Bifidobacteria,
another group of organisms that function as
probiotic bacteria. Many probiotic supplements are frequently combined with
FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides),
simple carbohydrates that stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria as they
make their way through the digestive tract. FOS is
actually a type of "prebiotic," indigestible food ingredients that stimulate
the growth of probiotic bacteria already in the colon. Both probiotics and
prebiotics can change the composition of intestinal bacteria in beneficial
ways.
Health Benefits
Many people
take acidophilus to treat and prevent digestive disorders, vaginal
infections, and other illnesses. As it boosts benign and suppresses
destructive bacteria, acidophilus allows the body to maintain a healthy
bacterial balance. Acidophilus is often recommended as a safeguard during
antibiotic therapy, which can suppress beneficial bacteria and trigger the
growth of yeast infections.
Acidophilus
may offer general health protection, as well. Several studies suggest that
it functions as an immunity enhancer, and may suppress the toxic effects of
carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).
Specifically,
acidophilus is most commonly used to:
Ease
irritable bowel syndrome. Acidophilus may bring relief to many people
who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a constellation of
gastrointestinal symptoms that include abdominal bloating, cramping, and
diarrhea.
A recent study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology
found that acidophilus showed a significant benefit in 50%
of patients with
the primary symptoms of IBS.
Control
diarrhea. If your diarrhea is due to antibiotic use, acidophilus will
help to correct the bacterial imbalances caused by the drug. In fact, if you
are prone to antibiotic-associated diarrhea, it's probably a good idea to
start both the acidophilus and medication at the same time. It may be wise
to take acidophilus along on your next trip to the tropics,
as well. Some
strains of traveler's diarrhea may be weakened by acidophilus, perhaps
because the immune-boosting effects of probiotics help to reduce intestinal
inflammation.
Reduce
flatulence. As it restores a healthy balance of bacteria in the
digestive tract, acidophilus can keep
gas-producers in the large intestine
from multiplying. Increasing the gut's level of good bacteria relieves
flatulence
while lessening gas and bloating.
Combat
vaginal yeast and other infections associated with Candida. A yeast that
normally lives in harmony in your body, Candida albicans can begin to
overgrow following antibiotic therapy. Chronic candidiasis such as this can
produce digestive disturbances, fatigue, and allergies, among other
symptoms. Because they promote a healthy intestinal environment, acidophilus
and other probiotics can help to halt Candida overgrowth. Using antibiotics
only when truly necessary will also help you avoid the problem of Candida
infection.
For treating
and preventing vaginal yeast infections caused by Candida, acidophilus may
be particularly effective.
A 2000 study in the International Journal of
Gynecology and Obstetrics attributed the increase in recurring vaginal candidiasis worldwide to growing antibiotic resistance as well as to a lack
of sufficient Lactobacilli in many women. According to the study's
authors, Lactobacilli constitute "the vagina's primary defense
mechanism against Candida."
Relieve
urinary tract infections. Lactobacilli such as acidophilus are
the dominant members of healthy bacterial life in the urinary tract. Studies
have shown that as "bacteriocins" or antibiotic-like substances, they are
powerful enough to neutralize Escherichia (E.) coli bacteria, the
source of many urinary tract infections.
Battle bad
breath.
As bacteria in your mouth work to break down food particles, they can
multiply and release foul-smelling chemicals. Usually, good oral hygiene is
adequate to clear out offensive mouth odors. But when you need extra help,
adding acidophilus to your system can encourage more efficient digestion and
reduce the number of odor-producing bacteria.
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