Acidophilus Benefits

You might have heard about 'probiotics'. These are live bacteria that are normally present in the vagina and the gastrointestinal tract. They are beneficial to human body in a number of ways. Some of the important roles played by them are suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria, boosting the digestive system, helping in the production of vitamins and improving the immune system. There are 400 different types of probiotics and Lactobacillus acidophilus, more commonly known as acidophilus, is one of them. Following is a brief overview of acidophilus benefits.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus Benefits

• Taking acidophilus on a regular basis reduces the occurrence of vaginal infections caused by yeasts such as Candida albicans. Read more on acidophillus yeast infection cure.
• Acidophilus, being able to check the overgrowth of disease causing bacteria, boosts your immune system.
• It brings down the chances of urinary tract infections.
• Acidophilus helps in the production of a number of chemicals that aid the process of digestion.
• It aids the digestion of dairy products by producing lactase. People suffering from lactose intolerance may derive benefit from acidophilus.
• It helps in treating various digestive problems such as Crohns disease, indigestion, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.
• It assists your body in fighting cancer. The exact reason is not yet known however, it is believed that it does it by preventing the harmful bacteria from producing cancer-causing substances.
• Acidophilus absorbs cholesterol in the intestine. This, in turn, prevents the cholesterol from reaching the arteries and causing damage. Thus, lowering blood cholesterol level is one of the other important acidophilus health benefits.
• It assists in the processing of nutrients and directing non-nutrient substances along the intestinal tract. This further helps in the proper elimination of stools.
• Some studies have suggested that it aids in the treatment of diseases like diabetes, asthma, diaper rash, etc. However, it is yet to be scientifically proven.
• It assists in the manufacture of a number of vitamins in the intestine. Some of them are vitamin K, vitamin B12, Vitamin B1 and folic acid.
• Since it increases the production of vitamin K, it aids in blood clotting and formation of bones. This is another acidophilus health benefit.
• Acidophilus eases the condition of diarrhea and food poisoning. This is because, it replenishes the loss of beneficial micro-organisms that gets flushed out from intestine during diarrhea.
• Acidophilus maintains a healthy balance between useful and harmful bacteria. It does it by producing acids and other substances that kill unwanted bacteria, and thus check their over-growth.

Sources of Acidophilus

You will find acidophilus in dairy products like yogurt, cottage cheese, kefir and fermented foods such as sauerkraut. Its supplements are available over-the-counter in the form of capsules, liquids, powder and tablets. You may find acidophilus drinks in health food and grocery stores. Once ingested, acidophilus colonise in the small intestine and vagina of the body. They sustain themselves if not destroyed by antibiotics and other factors. Acidophilus supplement benefits you in the same manner as when obtained from natural sources.

In the large intestine of our body, another type of probiotic called bifidus, is found. The health benefits of bifidus are numerous and essential for life. These include helping in the digestion of foods, assisting in the liberation of nutrients from the digested foods and preventing the absorption of unwanted materials into the bloodstream. If you wish to derive the health benefits of acidophilus along with that of bifidus, you should go for acidophilus bifidus supplements. The acidophilus bifidus benefits will definitely improve your over-all health and provide long-term resistance against diseases.

Acidophilus milk is also available in the market. This is a type of milk that has been fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus. It has a distinctive tangy flavor and is slightly callous to look at. The acidophilus milk benefits are the same as that of acidophilus bacteria. More on probiotic acidophillus supplements.

Tips for Taking Acidophilus

• Take it at least half-an-hour before eating.
• Take it daily as recommended for a couple of weeks to experience the desired health benefits.
• Do not take acidophilus if you are on any kind of antibiotic as it may interfere with the effects of antibiotics.
• Acidophilus intake may produce certain side effects such as abdominal pain and digestive issues. Stop using it and consult a doctor as soon as possible. Here's more on acidophillus side effects.

Though acidophilus benefits are many, it is not yet approved by US Food and Drug Administration for usage. Also, its intake is not recommendable if your immune system is weak or you have excessive intestinal bacteria. Therefore, you should avoid its usage without the advice of a medical practitioner.