Strongest Evidence For Intestinal Benefits
Acidophilus and bifidum may exert multi-beneficial effects on health, but so far, the strongest evidence supports their role in gut health. Various studies have shown that probiotic mixtures are effective at fighting off intestinal pathogens that cause infection, such as Clostridium difficile — a pathogen that causes diarrhea and colon inflammation.
The risk of getting a C. diff. infection increases when you take antibiotics that kill off healthy bacteria. Upon review of available studies, researchers concluded that acidophilus probiotic mixtures significantly reduce the risk of C. diff infection when taking antibiotics, according to a review published in the February 2016 issue of the International Journal of General Medicine.
Probiotics For H Pylori
Probiotics may be helpful in combatting stomach infections like H. pylori too.
Using probiotics plus antibiotic was better than treatment with antibiotic alone in a study of people who had helicobacter pylori infections .
Antibiotics-only treatment eradicated the H.Pylori at 69% while pre-treatment with the probiotic Bifidus infantis for 2 weeks and during antibiotic treatment led to a 91% eradication of H. Pylori.
Fermented yogurts that are rich in probiotics reduce H. Pylori infections as well .
Supports Overall Gut Health
Gut bacteria is incredibly diverse, with trillions of different types of bacteria playing a part in your overall health.
Like all lactobacilli, lactobacillus acidophilus is generally very good for gut health for a number of reasons, including the production of lactic acid.
This acid helps to prevent harmful bacteria from growing in the intestines and can also help support intestinal lining.31
Lactobacillus acidophilus has also been seen to help increase numbers of other healthy gut bacteria like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.23
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Types Of Probiotic Strains That Help Acid Reflux
To summarize, the probiotic strains that help with GERD are:
- Lactobacillus gasseri-may help to eliminate dyspepsia and reflux symptoms as well as reduce abdominal fat and waist circumference.
- Bifidobacterium bifidum-may decrease abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Lactobacillus reuteri-may reduced colic, reduce vomiting, increase bowel movement frequency. Also decreased abdominal pain, distention, nausea, and vomiting.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-decreased abdominal pain, distention, nausea, and vomiting.
- Bifidobacterium lactis HN019-Increased stomach emptying and speeds up transit time, 8 of 9 belly symptoms improved.
- Saccharomyces boulardii-along with L. reuteri may help reduce colic, vomiting, and alleviate constipation.
- Bacillus subtilis-may decrease SIBO and many GI symptoms
- E. faecium-could be helpful for many aspects of GI health. Not currently available commercially.
The strains of bacteria are important as you can see. While common probiotic strains like lactobacillus acidophilus may be good for overall digestive function, targeted probiotic strains may be more effective for GERD and heartburn.
Choose Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic For Antibiotic
Beth Rosen, MS, RD, CDN is a non-diet Registered Dietitian specializing in GI nutrition and disordered eating based in Connecticut. She has been working in the field of nutrition for over 25 years. Beth helps clients find relief from digestive disorders such as Irritable Bowel Disease and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth , Gastroparesis, Colitis, and GERD, as well as shares her knowledge with other health professionals via webinars, seminars, and peer mentoring.
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Probiotics are live microorganisms or microbes that may provide health benefits. They may help regulate the community of microorganisms living in our lower digestive tract, known as our microbiome. However, the research on the benefits of probiotics is still emerging, and there are only certain health conditions where probiotic supplements have proven benefits.
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Should You Be Taking Probiotics
Scientific research into the health benefits of probiotics is still growing.
However, a considerable amount of research suggests probiotic cultures may benefit a whole host of digestive issues, skin and inflammatory conditions as well as immune function support and emotional well-being .
The beneficial bacteria living in the lower digestive tract provide a protective barrier against disease causing bacteria, pathogens, parasites and yeast infections.
While there is evidence that probiotics do help to improve digestion and gastronomic health, it is hard to say that one brand over another is more effective at doing so.
Go-Ask-Alice Columbia university
However, the balance between good and bad is fragile one easily eroded by poor diet, stress, antibiotics, laxatives, antacids and a lack of exercise.
Also, 80% of your immune system resides in your gut. Therefore, a balanced digestive system means a strong immune system.
You may benefit from taking probiotics if any of the following relate to you:
- want to maintain a healthy gut
- about to take or have taken antibiotics
- experience gas and bloating
Consequences Of B12 Deficiency
Whats the big deal about plummeting your B12 absorption due to PPIs?
Vitamin B12 is necessary to make red healthy red blood cell cells and nerve cells. Low B12 can cause PERMANENT nerve damage, memory loss, and mood disorders.
B12 deficiency is now extremely common, and no doubt that heartburn drugs are contributing to these issues.
Deficiency of B12 also interferes with energy production and liberation of energy from food.
Even the most skeptical nutrition critic probably doesnt want low energy. Im pretty confident of this.
It would be all still manageable if it was just B12 deficiency. However, there are some other consequences of blocking acid.
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How Should People Take Probiotics
The requirements for a microbe to be considered a probiotic are that the microbe must be alive when administered, it must be documented to have a health benefit, and it must be administered at levels to confer a health benefit. A rule of thumb often cited is to take at least a billion colony forming units daily.
These are live microorganisms that will not provide the promised benefits if they dont remain alive. The manufacturer and consumer must pay close attention to the conditions of storage at which the particular microorganism will survive and the end of their shelf life. The potency will indicate the number of viable bacteria per dose, and the purity has to do with presence of contaminating or ineffective bacteria.
The other thing to remember is that these microorganisms are not all created equally. In fact, the genus, strain, and species all need to be the same for the results that found in the study to be the results that one hopes to achieve when taking it. For example, with the strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, the genus is Lactobacillus, the species is rhamnosus, and the strain is GG. If any one of those is different in your supplement, you may not attain the same results.
Acidophilus Bifidus Supplement For Men
Digest Strong Probiotic Man Blend contains large doses of L. Acidophilus and bifidus probiotics.
This mens probiotic is also optimized for mens digestive health. And this supplement also has acidophiluss and bifiduss immunity and allergy fighting benefits.
I personally helped engineer this blends formula. So I know it contains the best probiotics for mens digestive health.
Check out the reviews on Amazon and make your own call!
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How Long Does Acidophilus Take To Work
This is a question that often crops up, but frustratingly there is no one size fits all answer here either! With everyones microbiome being as unique to them as their fingerprint, it is impossible to know for certain how long it will take to feel the benefits of taking acidophilus supplements.
We receive wonderful feedback and product reviews from our customers. For some people our supplements have an almost instant effect, whereas for others it can take several weeks or more. It depends partly on the state of a persons health to start with and also their compliance with taking the product. Diet, lifestyle and any medications being taken are other factors to consider. In general, I would advise patience. The benefits are well worth it, and your health will thank you for it in the longer term.
Key fact:
Everybody responds differently, and at different speeds, when starting a new probiotic supplement. Dont be disappointed if results take a little while, they will be worth it in the longer term.
You may also like to read: What is L. helveticus?
For further research in to L. acidophilus and specific strains within this species healthcare professionals might like to take a look at The Probiotics Database.
Reviewed by: Dr Aisling Dwyer MB BCh BAO , MSc
Acidophilus Gut Health Benefits The Bottom Line
Research shows Acidophilus is a valuable probiotic that offers a number of health benefits, several of which are not local to the gut. It can also help to balance your gut.
Although some of the studies evaluate the abilities of Acidophilus while acting alone, many do not. In a lot of cases, Acidophilus appears to offer more value when it is being used in combination with other types of friendly bacteria.
If you want to take advantage of the health-boosting abilities of Acidophilus, one way to do so is to eat sauerkraut. Certain other fermented foods provide Acidophilus too.
However, it may be easier to use a good probiotic supplement. Doing so will enable you to reap the benefits of many additional gut-friendly bacteria as well. Why concentrate on one key player when you could have an entire probiotic team?
Most of the best probiotic supplements provide Acidophilus. Try and go for an option that provides at least one billion CFUs per serving.
Generally speaking, its best to take probiotics with a meal. Many people take them at breakfast. However, if you do decide to get Acidophilus from a supplement instead of food and are new to this type of product, try to ease into things gently.
Although probiotics are well tolerated by the majority of people, there is a possibility of minor stomach upsets in the early stages of supplementation.
Beginning with a lower than normal dose is a good way to allow your body time to adjust.
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Dysbiosis And Reinstatement Of Microbiota
Dysbiosis of the intestinal ecosystem contributes to the development of certain diseases that can be reversed with favorable alterations caused by probiotics.1,13
As in other organs, the proper function of the gut microbiota depends on a stable cell composition in this case, it consists primarily of the bacteria phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and, to a lesser degree, Proteobacteria. Dysbiosis occurs due to a significant deviation in the ratio of the above phyla or the expansion of new bacteria groups which leads to an imbalance that promotes disease.17 A reduction in microbial diversity and the overgrowth of Proteobacteria are two cardinal characteristics of dysbiosis.17
Environmental impacts, such as the use of antibiotics or diet itself, can result in structural changes of the microbial community. Such variations can lead to the loss of organisms that are beneficial to their host and to a subsequent overgrowth of pathobionts . There are three types of dysbiosis in the intestinal ecosystem:1
When dysbiosis occurs, the need to restore a healthy microbiota becomes evident. It can be carried out through a fecal microbiota transplant from a healthy donor, although the easiest way is through the administration of dietary supplements, which can be done through multiple mechanisms , as shown in Figure 2.1,9
Gastric Benefits Of Probiotics In Healthy Adults
People who are healthy experience gastric benefits of probiotics too.
For example, a follow-up study of Bifidobacterium bifidum YIT 10347 fermented milk in healthy adults found that this supplement reduced gastric pain and overall post-meal comfort compared to a placebo too.
This particular strain of probiotic is helpful at alleviating gastric pain because the results have been duplicated in two different clinical studies .
Interesting Tip: Another perk to the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri yogurt is that it may reduce abdominal fat by as much as 8-9 percent compared to conventional yogurt over a 12 week period .
Lactobacillus gasseri also reduced waist circumference and abdominal fat according to another study especially when using a higher dose .
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May Prevent And Reduce Eczema
Eczema is a common condition that inflames the skin, causing itching and pain. Research suggests Acidophilus and other probiotics have the ability to reduce the symptoms of eczema.
The results of one study show a mixture of Acidophilus and other probiotics, given to pregnant women and their children, resulted in a 22 percent reduction in the prevalence of eczema.
In another study, Acidophilus was combined with a traditional medical therapy and successfully reduced atopic dermatitis in children.
A New Cause Of Acid Reflux
Another emerging cause of reflux is an imbalanced microbiome, or gut bacteria and flora.
Many experts in the field of probiotics have conducted research to show that acid reflux can be a result of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth .
Both SIBO and GERD may be caused by an altered microbiome. This is where probiotics start to come in to focus on acid reflux.
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It May Prevent And Reduce Diarrhea
Diarrhea affects people for a number of reasons, including bacterial infections.
It can be dangerous if it lasts a long time, as it results in fluid loss and, in some cases, dehydration.
A number of studies have shown that probiotics like L. acidophilus may help prevent and reduce diarrhea thats associated with various diseases .
Evidence on the ability of L. acidophilus to treat acute diarrhea in children is mixed. Some studies have shown a beneficial effect, while others have shown no effect .
One meta-analysis involving more than 300 children found that L. acidophilus helped reduce diarrhea, but only in hospitalized children .
Whats more, when consumed in combination with another probiotic, L. acidophilus may help reduce diarrhea caused by radiotherapy in adult cancer patients .
Similarly, it may help reduce diarrhea associated with antibiotics and a common infection called Clostridium difficile, or C. diff .
Diarrhea is also common in people who travel to different countries and are exposed to new foods and environments.
A review of 12 studies found that probiotics are effective at preventing travelers diarrhea and that Lactobacillus acidophilus, in combination with another probiotic, was most effective at doing so (
When consumed in combination with other probiotics, L. acidophilus may help prevent and treat diarrhea.
What Causes Acid Reflux
Acid reflux or heartburn, is really common, but not for the reasons many people think.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , about 1 in 5 people have this frustrating condition of GERD, while even more people have occasional acid reflux or heartburn .
These conditions can be caused by hiatal hernia, medications like Ibuprofen, and genes, but there is definitely more to the story for most people.
Its tempting to blame heartburn and acid reflux on genes, but the truth is, the reason GERD is so common now is that it often boils down to foods that you are eating or stress .
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How Effective Are Probiotics
Researchers are currently unsure how effective probiotic supplements are for treating conditions. Theres constant research on the topic. While many research studies have had positive results on the impact of probiotic supplements, more research is still needed.
Its also important to keep in mind that unlike medications, dietary supplements do not need to be approved by the FDA. This means that manufacturers can sell supplements simply with claims of safety and effectiveness.
Always talk with your healthcare provider before taking a supplement or giving one to your child. Supplements might interfere with medicines you may be taking. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, check with your provider before taking any supplement.
This Natures Bounty Acidophilus Probiotic Review To Assess Properly
According to the manufacturer, the Natures Bounty Acidophilus Probiotic is a supplement that contains over 100 million active Lactobacillus Acidophilus which is the friendly bacteria for the digestive system. And they leave it there .
I mean, the product page is as brief as they come. To that end, it feels about as brief as what we found by the GoodBelly Probiotics and the Inner-Eco Probiotic .
But over both of these, it does introduce marketing tactics to help people decide in favor of it. Well, it tries, anyway.
While we do get a section dedicated for Natures Bounty Acidophilus Probiotic reviews, its not like theyre real capable in persuading anyone. The section has 8 good reviews and 4 bad ones. Plus, basically all of them are from 4 years ago. Hence, I dont think it counts as a marketing tactic this time.
Then, some favor can also earn the FAQ sections. But not so much with this one because theres just one answer there. To that end, it does look kind of unfinished. Which isnt a good look.
As for benefits, they dont go any further than friendly bacteria for digestive system. Whereas for free-of claims, we have Soy-Free, Preservative-Free, Sugar-Free, Starch-Free, Lactose-Free, Milk-Free, Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free, Fish-Free, Sodium-Free, Artificial-Colors-Flavors-Sweeteners-Free.
So, it might look decent as far as benefits and harmless as far as side-effects. But is it really worth getting?
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Do Probiotics Do Any Good
Dr Chris van Tullekan sets out to discover whether probiotic products are really good for our health, and whether theres a cheaper and easier way to get health benefits through our gut bacteria.
Every year, we in the UK spend about three quarters of a billion pounds on probiotic products, which contain live bacteria that are supposed to boost our health. Our guts especially our large intestine are full of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other living organisms. In fact there are more of them than there are cells in the rest of our body, meaning that what we think of as our own bodies are more bacterium than human!
Your instant reaction might be to want to get rid of all these foreign bodies inside us, but actually they are vital to our wellbeing. They help us absorb nutrients from our food, metabolise drugs, and educate our immune system. Our own personal mix of gut bacteria makes us the person we are, and changing what bacteria we have can affect our health.
The idea of boosting bacteria that we know are good for our health has been around for a very long time, but actual scientific research on whether it works or not is still in its relatively early stages.
Although the probiotic companies claimed such health benefits for many years, now they have changed their advertising in Europe as the European Food Safety Authority ruled that not all these pieces of evidence are yet there.