Acidophilus With Bulgaricus & Bifidus

L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus and B. bifidus are bacterial byproducts found in yogurt.

Dangerous bacteria lurk within the dark lining of the digestive system, wreaking havoc on the body. These harmful bacteria cause intestinal cramping and yeast infections. Beneficial and harmful bacteria normally coexist within a healthy immune system, but stress, poor eating habits and disease can tip the balance. Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus and bifidobacterium, or B. bifidus, are varieties of disease-fighting bacteria that offer significant health benefits, notes MedlinePlus.

Significance

L. acidophilus and B. bifidus are beneficial bacteria, naturally occurring in the intestinal tract. Extracted from yogurt and cheese, L bulgaricus, known as L. delbrueckii, is not produced in the intestinal tract, describes the University of Colorado. L. acidophilus, B. bifidus and L. delbrueckii, as a dietary supplement, stabilize the effects of those harmful bacteria. Yogurt based foods and drinks can enhance the effects of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria in the body.

Function

Digesting food releases toxic chemicals into the body, such as lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide. L. acidophilus and B. bifidus break down hazardous chemicals in the digestive system. Supplemental L. delbrueckii improve the effectiveness of beneficial bacteria. Eating sugars without protein and complex carbohydrates allows harmful bacteria to invade the digestive tract. Simple sugars or carbohydrates can produce abundant yeast. L. acidophilus and B. bifidus absorb nutrients from foods and help to control organisms that cause diarrhea and irritation in the intestines, according to MedlinePlus.

Benefits

The use of probiotics contributes to the healthy flora of the digestive tract, notes U.S. Pharmacopeia. Probiotics promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, reduce the accumulation of yeast-producing illnesses, and disrupt the growth of dangerous microorganisms. Antibiotics can cause bacterial imbalances in the body by killing good and bad bacteria. The combination of naturally occurring good bacteria, with L. delbrueckii dietary supplement, may reduce yeast infections from antibiotic use, notes The University of Maryland Medical Center.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Lactobacillus acidophilus
• University of Colorado: EPOB 3400 Yogurt and You
• MedlinePlus: Lactobacillus
• U.S. Pharmacopeia: Quality of Food Ingredients Functionality, 2009 USP Annual Scientific Meeting Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel Toronto, Ontario Canada