What Are the Benefits of Lactobacillus Acido?

Lactobacillus acidopholus, or acido, is a strain of bacteria that creates large amounts of lactic acid from carbohydrates that aid in digestion. Lactobacillus benefits the intestinal tract and helps maintain healthy bacteria levels.

Benefits

According to Dr. John Whitman Ray, Lactobacillus acido is "essential" to vitamin absorption, helps lower cholesterol and enhances immune system function. It can also help some people with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's or irritable bowel syndrome.

Effects

Supplementing with Lactobacillus after using an oral antibiotic can replenish healthy microflora in the gut, Ray said.

Function

Lactobacillus bacteria help detoxify the body from pollutants, Ray reported.

Types

Lactobacillus acidophilus is available as an oral supplement or in probiotic blends, or added to several brands of yogurt. Kefir is another source of Lactobacillus bacteria.

Significance

According to N.P. Shah, of Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, who led a symposium on probiotics and dairy products, Lactobacillus is one of the three major strains of beneficial bacteria used in most commercial probiotic formulas.

References

• Healthy Being: 12 Points on Lactobacillus Acidophilus
• Symposium: Dairy Foods: Changes and Challenges of Probiotics in Dairy Products
• Cambridge Journal: Enhancement of Natural and Acquired Immunity by Lactobacillus