Lactobacillus acidophilus in Latin means acid-loving milk bacterium.
It like acid areas with a Ph of 5 or below and a temperature of around 37 °C. This environment would fit the stomach of a mammal such as us, humans. It is found naturally in our mouth and GIT (gastrointestinal tract).
Table from Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
| Lactobacillus acidophilus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Firmicutes |
| Class: | Bacilli |
| Family: | Lactobacillaceae |
| Genus: | Lactobacillus |
| Species: | L. acidophilus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus (Moro 1900) Hansen & Mocquot 1970 |
|
It is a bacterium that has been identified as having a symbiotic relationship with us. This means we both, humans and bacterium, benefit from being together. Its genome has been sequenced
Health Benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus in Brief.
Research has linked it to be beneficial in many diseases, a lot of them autoimmune. Some of it’s uses include, vaginal disorders, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, Ankylosing spondylitis and arthritis. It has been used successfully in diarrhoea, flu and allergic conditions.
Therapeutic uses of Lactobacillus acidophilus
Vaginal disorders
The use of Lactobacillus acidophilus for the treatment of vaginal infections has been widely studies with very positive results.
Skin reactions
These include psoriasis, eczema and allergic reactions. It reduces the inflammation and protects against further outbreaks.
Anaemia
There has been a little research on Lactobacillus acidophilus and its effectiveness in iron deficiency. It combines with “organic iron” (chelated iron) and probably assists with the absorption of iron into the body. Iron is notoriously difficult to absorb.
Ankylosing spondylitis
This is arthritis of the spine and is an autoimmune disease. Many suffers also suffer from Crohn’s disease another autoimmune disease. Probiotics are good at reducing inflammation due to an immune response. So it is fairly logical that a probiotic would assist in this treatment. Lactobacillus acidophilus reduces the inflammation of arthritis. It has been used in combinations such as our Noster ProBiotic. The best would be prevention, ie take a probiotic daily.
Diabetes (type 2)
This is a condition due to obesity and being overweight. This is a problem of diet and lifestyle. The high carbohydrates in the blood are known to cause inflammation of the blood vessels and Lactobacillus acidophilus may reduce this. Type 2 diabetes also causes an increase in insulin resistance because of excess weight. Lactobacillus acidophilus reduces this resistance. This is not the way to cure this condition. Weight loss and a healthy lifestyle is the way to go. See Banting Diet
Diarrhoea prevention and treatment
Whether it is Lactobacillus acidophilus alone or a combination like Noster ProBiotics, probiotics have been shown to effectively treat diarrhoea. Probiotics should always be taken with an antibiotic and always taken an hour after the antibiotic.
Rotavirus caused diarrhoea can be treated very effectively with Lactobacillus acidophilus. The higher the dose the better as well as the sooner the treatment starts the better.
Flu
Some studies have shown that Lactobacillus acidophilus reduces fever, due to its anti-inflammatory effects. I wouldn’t use this as a treatment. It’s better to take the probiotic daily to maintain your immune system and thereby prevent getting flu. Prevention is better than cure.
Hay fever
This is an allergic immune condition. And as we know probiotics are great at stopping the inflammatory response.
Immune function
See About Our Immune System for a more detailed explanation. Probiotics are essential in our immune system. They prevent the inflammatory response from continuing for too long.
Intestinal disorders
A combination of probiotics including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum have been effective in treating disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease
Liver disease
Probiotic combinations containing Lactobacillus acidophilus reduce the symptoms of various liver diseases. Again it is probably due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) prevention
This is a serious disorder for newborn babies in which the intestinal tissue dies. There is no indication as to whether Caesar babies are more prone to this but I think that might be the case. A solution containing Lactobacillus acidophilus is used as a treatment.
Pouchitis
This is inflammation of the ileal pouch after surgery. Combination therapy which includes Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum have been used to prevent pouchitis.
Pregnancy problems
Bacterial diseases of the vagina during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the pregnancy, pre-term delivery, and on the newborn, low birth weight. Lactobacillus acidophilus has been shown to help prevent early labour.
Radiation-induced diarrhoea
Radiation causes inflammation and Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with other probiotics such as Bifidobacterium longum are effective at reducing inflammation and has been used successfully to treat this type of diarrhoea.
Sepsis in the newborn
Treatment of Caesar babies with a solution of Lactobacillus acidophilus prevents sepsis.
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p style=”text-align: justify;”>Other conditions that are treated by Lactobacillus acidophilus
Acne, AIDS, arthritis, breast cancer, cancer, cancer prevention, canker sores, colon cancer, constipation, diverticulitis (a disorder of the intestines), E. coli infection in cancer patients, fever blisters, gum disease, heartburn, heart disease, hives, indigestion, infection, inflammation, nappy rash, preoperative prevention of infections or gut bacteria loss, prostate cancer, respiratory tract infections, stomach ulcer, thrush, urinary tract infection.