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Acidophilus |
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| Lactobacillus acidophilus is a "friendly" type of
bacteria used to make yogurt and cheese. We are born without it,
acidophilus soon establishes itself in our intestines and helps
prevent intestinal infections. Acidophilus also flourishes in the
vagina, where it protects women against yeast infections. Acidophilus
is one of several microbes known as probiotics (meaning "pro
life") meaning that they are bacteria and yeasts that help our
body. Other friendly bacteria include: L. bulgaricus, L. reuteri, L.
plantarum, L. casei, B. bifidus, S. salivarius, and S. thermophilus
and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Your digestive tract is like an
ecosystem, with billions of bacteria and yeasts rather than plants and
animals. Some of these internal inhabitants are more helpful to your
body than others. Acidophilus and related probiotics not only help the
digestive tract function, they also reduce the presence of less
healthful organisms by competing with them for the limited space
available. Antibiotics can disturb the balance of your body ecosystem
by killing friendly bacteria. When this happens, harmful bacteria and
yeasts can move in and flourish. This is why women taking antibiotics
sometimes develop vaginal infections. Conversely, it appears that the
regular use of probiotics can help prevent vaginal infections and
generally improve the health of the gastrointestinal system. Whenever
you take antibiotics, you should probably take probiotics as well, and
continue them for some time after you are done with the course of
treatment. There is reason to believe that regular use of probiotics
can reduce your risk of developing infectious diarrhea while traveling
especially when going thru other countries. Probiotics may also help
prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics, as well as help prevent and
treat childhood diarrhea. Immune System A number of studies suggest that various probiotics like acidophilus can enhance immune function. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) People suffering with irritable bowel syndrome have digestive pain as well as constipation, diarrhea and other problems. Although the exact cause of Irritable bowel syndrome is unknown, one possibility is a problem with healthy intestinal bacteria. Based upon this idea, probiotics have been tried as a treatment for lBS. In a 4-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 30 individuals with lBS, treatment with L. plantarum reduced intestinal gas significantly. The benefits lasted one year after treatment was stopped. Vaginal Yeast Infections A review of the many studies on the use of oral and topical acidophilus to prevent vaginal yeast infections concluded that it may be effective, but more study is needed. SAFETY ISSUES NOTE: |
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