Health benefits and concerns

Chronic candidiasis

Lactobacillus acidophilus products are often used by people with candidiasis in an attempt to re-establish proper intestinal flora. Acidophilus produces natural factors that can prevent overgrowth of the yeast organisms. Although there are no human trials, supplementation of acidophilus to immune-deficient mice infected with Candida albicans was able to produce positive effects on immune function and reduce the number of C. albicans colonies. The typical amount of L. acidophilus taken as a supplement is 1 to 10 billion live bacteria daily. Amounts exceeding this may induce mild gastrointestinal disturbances, while smaller amounts may not be sufficient to colonize the gastrointestinal tract.

Diarrhea

Replenishing the intestinal flora with acidophilus and other beneficial bacteria can help prevent new infections. The effective amount of acidophilus depends on the strain used, as well as the concentration of viable organisms included. Typically, between 1 and 10 billion organisms are recommended to be consumed per day.

The combination of bifidobacteria and Streptococcus thermophilus (found in certain yogurts) dramatically reduces the incidence of acute diarrhea in hospitalized children. Active-culture yogurt and milk fermented with Lactobacillus casei may prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea.

High cholesterol

Yogurt, acidophilus milk, and kefir are fermented-milk products that have been reported to lower cholesterol in most, but not all research. Until more is known, it makes sense for people with elevated cholesterol who consume these foods to select nonfat varieties.

Immune function

Many studies, in both animals and humans, have demonstrated immune-stimulating effects from yogurt varieties that contain live cultures such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and other so-called “probiotics” (friendly bacteria). The effects observed in humans include an increase in the activity of several types of white blood cells.

Supplements of Lactobacillus acidophilus and other friendly bacteria may help protect the intestinal tract from colonization by harmful organisms that can cause local or systemic infection. The effective amount of acidophilus depends on the strain used, as well as the concentration of viable organisms it contains. Infectious diarrhea in children has been successfully reduced with supplements of friendly bacteria such as L. acidophilus.

Vaginitis

Lactobacillus acidophilus is an integral part of normal vaginal flora. Lactobacilli prevent overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria and Candida. They produce lactic acid, which acts like a natural antibiotic, and these friendly bacteria also compete with other organisms for the utilization of glucose. The production of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide by lactobacilli helps to maintain the acidic pH needed for healthy vaginal flora to thrive. Most of the research has used yogurt containing live cultures of L. acidophilus or direct application of such yogurt or L. acidophilus capsules into the vagina. The effective amount of acidophilus depends on the strain used, as well as the concentration of viable organisms.

In a controlled trial, women who consumed 8 ounces (227g) of Lactobacillus acidophilus yogurt per day had a threefold decrease in the incidence of vaginal yeast infections and a reduction in the frequency of Candida colonization in the vagina. In another controlled trial, women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis (another type of vaginal infection) or vaginal candidiasis ate 5 ounces (142g) of yogurt containing live Lactobacillus acidophilus daily. They had more than a 50 percent reduction in recurrences, while women who consumed pasteurized yogurt that did not contain the bacteria had only a slight reduction.

Health benefits and concerns for dairy foods
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other dairy foods. Read about health benefits and concerns for dairy foods for a full description.