What Is Lactobacillus Acidophilus? Other Names: Acidophilus, Acidophilus Bifidus, Probiotic

What is Lactobacillus Acidophilus?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a species of probiotic bacteria that is commonly found in the human gut and other parts of the body. It is known for its beneficial effects on digestive health, immune function, and overall well-being. This article explores the various roles and benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus, supported by findings from multiple research studies. Other names include: Acidophilus, Acidophilus Bifidus, Probiotic, Probiotique.

Roles and Benefits of Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Role in Digestive Health

Lactobacillus acidophilus is widely recognized for its ability to improve digestive health. It has been shown to enhance the intestinal microbiota, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy digestive system. For instance, dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus significantly increased the levels of beneficial bacteria in the intestines of black swordtail fish, leading to improved growth performance and stress resistance1. Similarly, in weaning pigs, Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation improved nutrient digestibility and growth performance while reducing harmful bacteria like E. coli10.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a common condition where individuals have difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Lactobacillus acidophilus has been studied for its potential to alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance. A randomized trial found that while Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 did not significantly change breath-hydrogen excretion, it was recovered in stool samples, indicating its survival in the gut2. Another study demonstrated that a specific strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus (DDS-1) significantly reduced symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting in lactose-intolerant individuals7.

Immune System Modulation

Lactobacillus acidophilus also plays a role in modulating the immune system. In broiler chickens challenged with Escherichia coli, supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus improved immune responses and intestinal barrier function, leading to better growth performance and reduced mortality5. In healthy adults, a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis was shown to increase phagocytic activity of immune cells, indicating enhanced immune function6.

Skin and Mucosal Health

The benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus extend to skin and mucosal health as well. In goldfish, dietary Lactobacillus acidophilus modulated the skin mucus protein profile and immune-related gene expression, although it did not significantly affect growth performance3. In black swordtail fish, it improved skin mucosal immune parameters and resistance to salinity stress1.

Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism

Lactobacillus acidophilus has been investigated for its potential to influence cholesterol and lipid metabolism. However, a double-blind placebo-controlled study found no significant changes in serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic volunteers after supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus, despite its ability to metabolize cholesterol in vitro4. On the other hand, another study found that a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis significantly reduced serum triacylglycerol levels in healthy adults6.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Lactobacillus acidophilus has shown promise in reducing inflammation, particularly in the context of Helicobacter pylori infection. In a murine model, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp-115 were effective in reducing H. pylori colonization and gastric inflammation9.

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Adverse Effects of Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Increased Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Some studies have reported that Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation can lead to increased gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, fever, headache, and nausea, especially after an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) challenge5.

No Significant Adverse Effects in Lactose Intolerance

In a study on lactose intolerance, Lactobacillus acidophilus was found to be safe and did not report any adverse events. It actually helped in reducing symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, and vomiting during a lactose challenge4.

No Adverse Effects on Serum Lipids

A study on hypercholesterolemic volunteers found that Lactobacillus acidophilus did not cause any adverse changes in serum lipids or other health parameters, indicating its safety in this context8.

Potential for Mild Histopathological Changes

In zebrafish exposed to E. coli O157:H7, Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation showed beneficial effects in reducing tissue damage. However, the study did not report any significant adverse histopathological changes due to the probiotic itself3.

No Significant Adverse Effects in Animal Studies

Various animal studies, including those on broiler chickens, turbot, weaning pigs, goldfish, and black swordtail, have not reported significant adverse effects from Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation. These studies primarily highlighted the probiotic’s benefits in improving growth performance, immune response, and intestinal health1 2 6 7 9 10.

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How has Lactobacillus Acidophilus Improved Patient Outcomes?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Improvement

Lactobacillus acidophilus significantly reduces abdominal pain and improves symptom severity in IBS patients1 2 5 7.

It also normalizes bowel habits and improves stool consistency in IBS patients2 5.

Menopausal Symptom Relief

Lactobacillus acidophilus YT1 (MENOLACTO) alleviates menopausal symptoms and improves quality of life without notable side effects3.

Ulcerative Colitis Management

Lactobacillus acidophilus, in combination with other probiotics, shows potential in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis, although results are not statistically significant in small trials4.

Helicobacter pylori Eradication

Adding Lactobacillus acidophilus to standard antibiotic therapy for Helicobacter pylori can improve eradication rates and reduce side effects, although some studies show no significant benefit6 10.

Allergic Rhinitis Alleviation

Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L-92 can alleviate symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis, including nasal and ocular symptoms7.

Chronic Colitis Improvement

Selenium-enriched Lactobacillus acidophilus improves histological injury and disease activity in chronic colitis by regulating inflammatory cytokines and intestinal microbiota9.

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Lactobacillus Acidophilus Mechanisms of Action

Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Gut-Brain Axis

Lactobacillus acidophilus can alter the gut microbiome composition, increasing beneficial bacterial ratios and producing metabolites like butyrate, which modulate neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, thereby improving cognitive functions1.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Lactobacillus acidophilus reduces inflammation by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6) and upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10) through the modulation of TLR4 and NF-κB pathways in immune cells2 3 4 10.

Enhancement of Immune Response

This probiotic enhances the immune response by increasing the phagocytic activity of immune cells and modulating the expression of immune-related genes, leading to improved resistance against infections and stress5 6 7.

Improvement of Intestinal Barrier Function

Lactobacillus acidophilus strengthens the intestinal barrier by upregulating tight junction proteins (e.g., occludin, ZO-1) and reducing intestinal permeability, which helps in maintaining gut integrity and preventing pathogen invasion8 10.

Antimicrobial Activity

It exhibits antimicrobial properties by inhibiting the adhesion and colonization of harmful bacteria like Helicobacter pylori and Escherichia coli, thereby reducing infection and associated inflammation4 8 9.

Regulation of Intestinal Microbiota

Lactobacillus acidophilus modulates the gut microbiota composition, increasing the diversity and abundance of beneficial bacteria, which contributes to overall gut health and improved metabolic functions3 6 7.

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Common Complaints Associated with Lactobacillus Acidophilus Use

Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Some studies have reported that Lactobacillus acidophilus can lead to gastrointestinal complaints such as increased stool frequency, abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence, especially when used in conjunction with other treatments or challenges like ETEC infection3.

In the context of antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal morbidity, Lactobacillus acidophilus was found to significantly decrease gastrointestinal side effects and yeast superinfection, suggesting it can be beneficial in reducing some antibiotic-related complaints2.

Effectiveness in Lactose Intolerance

Lactobacillus acidophilus has shown mixed results in alleviating symptoms of lactose intolerance. One study found significant reductions in symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting during a lactose challenge1.

Another study, however, did not find significant changes in breath-hydrogen excretion or symptom scores after Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation, indicating that its effectiveness may vary among individuals4.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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