Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacillus Acidophilus - It's Function and Uses
A healthy gastrointestinal tract is very important in maintaining a healthy body. There are about 400 different species of bacteria and fungi living in the human gastrointestinal tract. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bifidus, and Streptococcus faecium are the major organisms found in a healthy gut.
These bacteria contribute to the integrity of the intestinal environment, while maintaining the colonization and resistance against many diseases. Research has shown, that these good bacteria or probiotic organisms, aid in the production of vitamins, enzymes, and display an antimicrobial effect, which in turn contribute not only to the health of the intestinal tract, but also to the body as a whole.
Oral administration of probiotic bacteria are an important part of generating and maintaining good health. Lactobacillus acidophilus is found throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. This probiotic bacteria can inhibit microbial pathogens, alleviate lactose intolerance, reduce serum cholesterol, provide anticarcinogenic action, and enhance the immune system. L. acidophilus produces enzymes which help to digest food, and decrease bloating. Studies have shown that L. acidophilus can absorb food mutagens found mostly in fried foods.
Humans are not born with L. acidophilus in their gastrointestinal tract. The development of L. acidophilus begins after birth. Mother's milk is an excellent source of L. acidophilus.
L. acidophilus is known to produce a natural antibiotic called acidophilic. Acidophilic possess a wide range of antimicrobial activity against common food borne pathogens. L. acidophilus inhibits the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus latis, Lactobacillus planturum, E. coli, Clostridium perfringers, Salmonella Shigella, Salmonella typhosa, Shigella dysenteria, Pseudomonas flourescens, Staphylococcus aureas, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Vibrio comma. L. acidophilus can produce enough hydrogen peroxide to inhibit the growth of both S. aureas and Candida albicans.
L. acidophilus has demonstrated many nutritional and health benefits. L. acidophilus can assist in digesting food, alleviate digestive disorders, and prevent bad breath. L. acidophilus is most viable and stable in the gastrointestinal tract. By inhibiting the growth of many pathogenic microorganisms, it is protective of antibiotic therapy. It helps to alleviate abdominal pains, constipation, and anti-biotic-induced diarrhea. During antibiotic treatment, continuous supplementation of L. acidophilus is required to maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract.
L. acidophilus helps to breakdown bile salts in the intestine. Bad breath is caused by metabolites produced by dominant putrefying bacteria. By acting on the bile salts in this way L. acidophilus helps to eliminate the colonization of putrefying bacteria in the throat, tongue, mouth, and small intestine. These bacteria cause halitosis (bad breath). Daily use of L. acidophilus will help to get rid of bad breath.
Patients that need to maintain their intake of calcium, daily supplementation with L. acidophilus will enhance their calcium absorption. Recently, their have been outbreaks of E. coli infections in people eating tainted food - mostly ground beef. Administration of L. acidophilus has been found to lower E. coli to safe levels . This takes on importance, when you consider that E. coli has been shown to kill those infected, and those not killed where made very sick. E. coli has also been shown to synthesize carcinogenic chemicals, including ethionine, and nitrosamine. Daily supplementation of L. acidophilus helps to control E. coli.
The deficiency of lactase enzyme causes inefficient digestion of milk lactose, this is known has lactose intolerance. L. acidophilus produces significant quantities of lactase enzyme, which helps digest lactose. Daily use of L. acidophilus will help to digest lactose. This should allow lactose intolerant people to consume some foods that contain lactose.
Yeast infections of the vaginal canal, (monilia vaginitis), are a frequent occurring problem for many women. These infections are caused primarily by Candida albicans, and occur when the environmental balance in the vagina is disturbed. Oral ingestion of L. acidophilus along with vaginal douching will help to eliminate this problem.
L. acidophilus supplementation has been shown to enhance the immune response to environmental toxins. This organism improves the activity of lymphocytes, and several macrophage functions, including phagocytosis, lysosomal enzyme activity, and colloidal carbon clearance. These functions are useful in increasing resistance to infections and tumor promotion.
Since all L. acidophilus strains are not the same, and do not have the same nutritional or antimicrobial properties, it is important to select the correct strain of L. acidophilus. To date the most potent form of L. acidophilus is the DDS strain. Many companies sell this particular strain. Another consideration in purchasing L. acidophilus is, how the products are stored. L. acidophilus products should be kept under refrigeration during storage by the distributor, doctor, and the patient. This provides for maximum potency of the product.
Studies conducted with various L. acidophilus products show that powders and liquids appear to have to lowest activity, while capsules provided the most active organisms. Commercial yogurt doesn't contain enough viable organisms of viable bacteria necessary to be of any therapeutic use. Homemade yogurt does not have amounts needed to alter gut ecology. Therefore supplementation of L. acidophilus should be taken in capsule form.
In conclusion we can see that L. acidophilus has a potent and positive effect in maintaining gastrointestinal health. As environmental toxins, antibiotics, other medications, processed food, polluted and contaminated water, pesticides, and herbicides constantly damage the intestinal micro flora and reduce the number of beneficial L. acidophilus, it is important to supplement our diets with viable strains of L. acidophilus.
Posted
by Dr. Steven Felder
