Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Other Name(s):

Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, acidophilus

General Description:

Lactobacilli are bacteria that produce lactic acid from the metabolic breakdown of carbohydrates, particularly the sugar lactose in milk. Lactobacilli grow well in milk and milk products and are responsible for the "souring" of milk. Many different strains can be found in milk products, the adult intestinal tract and vagina, and in the intestinal tract of formula-fed infants.

Lactobacilli are used commercially in the production of cheese and yogurt (Lactobacillus bulgaricus).

Medically Valid Uses:

For years, L. acidophilus has been recommended by physicians to help control certain types of diarrhea, especially diarrhea caused when oral antibiotics destroy the normal flora of the intestine. L. acidophilus replenishes the intestine with a beneficial bacterium that often stops diarrhea. It is also recommended to help keep vaginal yeast infections in check.

Unsubstantiated Claims:

Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies.

In the last few years, L. acidophilus and bifidobacterium (another group of bacteria commonly found in the intestine) have been recommended for an increasing number of illnesses. However, research is still in progress to substantiate these claims.

For instance, it has been claimed that they may help improve the immune function, be useful in the treatment of lactose intolerance and in general restore normal intestinal flora. They also may be useful in reducing the risk of colon cancer, reducing serum cholesterol, helping with the prevention of GI ulcers and helping with the management of HPV (human papilloma virus) vaginal infection.

Dosing Format:

L. acidophilus is available commercially in powder, granule or capsule form.

Pure cultures of L. acidophilus are available in health food stores. They should be stored in light-resistant containers away from excessive heat and used before the expiration date.

Side Effects, Toxity and Interactions:

There are known no significant side effects, toxicity or interactions associated with L. acidophilus.

Additional Information:

L. acidophilus organisms are gram-positive, rod-shaped and non-motile. The two most commonly recognized strains of L. acidophilus are L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus. However, other types are very prevalent but less well recognized. For example, in Swiss cheese, L. helveticus is common while L. casei is frequently found in fresh milk and other cheeses. L. salivarius may be found in the intestines.

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References:

1. Shalev E, Battino S, Weiner E, Colodner R, Keness Y. Ingestion of Yogurt Containing Lactobacillus acidophilus Compared With Pasteurized Yogurt as Prophylaxis for Recurrent Candidal Vaginitis and Bacterial Vaginosis. Archives of Family Medicine. 1996 Nov-Dec;5(10):593-6.

2. Jiang T, Savaiano DA. In vitro lactose fermentation by human colonic bacteria is modified by Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation. J Nutr. 1997 Aug;127(8):1489-95.

3. Lin MY, Yen CL, Chen SH. Management of lactose maldigestion by consuming milk containing lactobacilli. Dig Dis Sci. 1998 Jan;43(1):133-7.

4. Mustapha A, Jiang T, Savaiano DA. Improvement of lactose digestion by humans following ingestion of unfermented acidophilus milk: influence of bile sensitivity, lactose transport, and acid tolerance of Lactobacillus acidophilus. J Dairy Sci. 1997 Aug;80(8):1537-45.

5. Saltzman JR, Russell RM, Golner B, Barakat S, Dallal GE, Goldin BR. A randomized trial of Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 to treat lactose intolerance. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Jan;69(1):140-6.

6. Wheeler JG, Shema SJ, Bogle ML, Shirrell MA, Burks AW, Pittler A, Helm RM. Immune and clinical impact of Lactobacillus acidophilus on asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1997 Sep;79(3):229-33.

7. Donnet-Hughes A, Rochat F, Serrant P, Aeschlimann JM, Schiffrin EJ. Modulation of nonspecific mechanisms of defense by lactic acid bacteria: effective dose. J Dairy Sci. 1999 May;82(5):863-9.

8. McBain AJ, Macfarlane GT. Ecological and physiological studies on large intestinal bacteria in relation to production of hydrolytic and reductive enzymes involved in formation of genotoxic metabolites. J Med Microbiol. 1998 May;47(5):407-16.

9. Rao CV, Sanders ME, Indranie C, Simi B, Reddy BS. Prevention of colonic preneoplastic lesions by the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFMTM in F344 rats. Int J Oncol. 1999 May;14(5):939-44.

10. Kinouchi T, Kataoka K, Bing SR, Nakayama H, Uejima M, Shimono K, Kuwahara T, Akimoto S, Hiraoka I, Ohnishi Y. Culture supernatants of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium adolescentis repress ileal ulcer formation in rats treated with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug by suppressing unbalanced growth of aerobic bacteria and lipid peroxidation. Microbiol Immunol. 1998;42(5):347-55.

11. Banina A, Vukasinovic M, Brankovic S, Fira D, Kojic M, Topisirovic L. Characterization of natural isolate Lactobacillus acidophilus BGRA43 useful for acidophilus milk production. J Appl Microbiol. 1998 Apr;84(4):593-9.

12. Akalin AS, Gonc S, Duzel S. Influence of yogurt and acidophilus yogurt on serum cholesterol levels in mice. J Dairy Sci. 1997 Nov;80(11):2721-5.

13. de Roos NM, Schouten G, Katan MB. Yoghurt enriched with Lactobacillus acidophilus does not lower blood lipids in healthy men and women with normal to borderline high serum cholesterol levels [In Process Citation]. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1999 Apr;53(4):277-80.

14. McNicol PJ, Paraskevas M, Guijon FB. The effect of vaginal microbes on in vivo and in vitro expression of human papillomavirus 16 E6-E7 genes. Cancer Detect Prev. 1999;23(1):13-21.

15. Schillinger U. Isolation and identification of lactobacilli from novel-type probiotic and mild yoghurts and their stability during refrigerated storage [In Process Citation]. Int J Food Microbiol. 1999 Mar 1;47(1-2):79-87.