|
What Is It
Some 500 species of bacteria inhabit the digestive tract.
Of these, the most beneficial are two strains of Lactobacilli
bacteria: acidophilus and bifidus. Both are probiotics, meaning
they help provide a proper balance of health-promoting bacteria
in the intestine. They also manufacture natural antibiotics
that kill dangerous microbes.
Yogurt, the traditional source of acidophilus, has been used
as an elixir in folk medicine for hundreds, and very possibly
thousands, of years. It can be difficult, however, to determine
how much acidophilus is really in yogurt. When using supplements,
read labels carefully: A therapeutic form should contain at
least 1 billion organisms in each pill; smaller amounts may
not be potent enough to have beneficial effects. Acidophilus
is sometimes sold in combination with bifidus or with another
ingredient that promotes the growth of friendly bacteria called
FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides).
What Does It Do
Acidophilus aids in restoring a normal balance of healthy
bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and vagina, which helps
fight digestive disorders and control vaginal yeast infections.
It may contain cancer-fighting agents, and may possibly lower
serum cholesterol levels. Acidophilus also supplies certain
vitamins, including B12, K, thiamin, and folic acid.
Common Uses
• Treats chronic gastrointestinal tract disorders, such
as irritable bowel syndrome, recurrent gas and bloating, and
inflammatory bowel disease.
• Controls vaginal yeast infections.
Major Benefits
Some studies show that when taken orally or inserted into
the vagina as a suppository or douche, acidophilus may prevent
or control vaginal yeast infections caused by Candida albicans.
This property is particularly helpful if you're taking certain
types of antibiotics that suppress acidophilus and allow yeast
to flourish.
Indeed, acidophilus may be especially useful for anyone taking
antibiotics to treat an infection. A healthy colon should
contain about 85% Lactobacilli (including acidophilus and
bifidus) and 14% coliform bacteria (including healthy types
of E. coli and other bacterial strains). In many people -
and particularly those on antibiotics - these counts can be
upset, causing flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, and poor
absorption of nutrients. Acidophilus creates an inhospitable
environment for harmful types of E. coli, as well as for salmonella,
steptococcus, and many other strains of bacteria that can
be dangerous or even life-threatening.
Additional Benefits
Acidophilus can reduce the symptoms of inflammatory bowel
disease, a chronic inflammation of the intestines. Along with
a high-fiber diet, acidophilus contributes to overall colon
health, which is necessary to help avert diverticulosis, a
disorder in which the mucous lining of the colon bulges into
the colon wall and creates small sacs (diverticula). Acidophilus
may also relieve diarrhea triggered by irritable bowel syndrome
and replenish beneficial intestinal microorganisms that diarrhea
flushes out of the body.
Moreover, studies in animals suggest that acidophilus may
be valuable in combating some cancers. When given to patients
surgically treated for bladder cancer, acidophilus helped
prevent the recurrence of single tumors. This result may have
occurred because acidophilus prevents harmful bacteria from
creating cancer-causing substances when the bacteria react
with foods. Acidophilus may also lower blood cholesterol levels.
Certain strains of these bacteria absorb cholesterol in the
intestine before it reaches the arteries and does damage.
How To Take It
Dosage: To make a vaginal douche: Mix 2 teaspoons
of acidophilus/bifidus powder in a quart warm water; use twice
a day for up to 10 days to restore normal bacterial growth.
To promote intestinal health: Mix acidophilus/bifidus powder
in water and drink. In capsule form, take one or two, each
containing at least 1 billion live oraganisms, one to three
times daily. For other forms, follow label directions.
Guidelines For Use: Douching is best reserved
for treating vaginal yeast infections, or for those times
you are taking antibiotics. When using acidophilus orally,
take it half an hour to an hour before eating. If you are
on antibiotics, do not take them at the same time of day as
acidophilus; continue the acidophilus even after you finish
the antibiotics.
Possible Side Effects
Ingested in large quantities, acidophilus may cause diarrhea
or other gastrointestinal complaints. Prolonged douching can
irritate the vagina.
Caution!
If you have a vaginal infection for the first time, see your
doctor before treating it yourself. Acidophilus is useful
against the yeast Candida albicans, but has little effect
on other types of vaginal problems and may worsen their symptoms.
Latest Findings
• A recent study showed that eating yogurt containing
live acidophilus greatly reduced the recurrence of vaginal
yeast infections. The women in the study ate 8 ounces of yogurt
every day for six months. Researchers theorize that additional
acidophilus bacteria grow in the vaginal canal, bolstering
the normal Lactobacilli flora but leaving no room for the
growth of yeast.
• When used in a recent study of patients undergoing
cancer radiation treatments, acidophilus prevented the diarrhea
that is a typical side effect of this therapy. Patients drank
a fermented milk product containing live acidophilus bacteria
daily.
|
