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Lactobacillus acidophilus Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain Lactobacillus acidophilus. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with a pharmacist or health care professional before starting.
Scientists have studied Lactobacillus acidophilus for the following health problems: Vaginal bacterial infection | When taken by mouth (in yogurt) or vaginally as a douche, suppository or vaginal tablet, Lactobacillus acidophilus has shown beneficial effects in treating vaginal infections. However, check with a health care professional before taking Lactobacillus acidophilus if you are having vaginal discomfort, as it may be from a cause other than infection. | Diarrhea | Lactobacillus acidophilus may aid in the management of chronic or persistent diarrhea and bacterial overgrowth-related diarrhea. Further research is needed to determine what dose may be safe and effective. | Other | Lactobacillus acidophilus has been studied for other conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, gut barrier function, hepatic encephalopathy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, antibiotic-associated vaginitis, cancer, atopic dermatitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, high cholesterol, lactose intolerance, pouchitis, premature pregnancy prevention and necrotizing enterocolitis. To date, these studies have been small and have had flaws with their designs. In some cases, results from different studies have disagreed with each other, making it unclear whether there is any benefit from Lactobacillus acidophilus in treating these conditions. |
Lactobacillus acidophilus has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care professional before taking Lactobacillus acidophilus for any unproven use. Acne
AIDS
Bacterial overgrowth in the bowel
Cancer
Canker sores
Cardiovascular disease
Colon cancer
Constipation
Crohn's disease
Diverticulitis
Fever blisters | Heartburn
Hives
Immune system stimulant
Indigestion
Infections
Stomach ulcers
Thrush
Ulcerative colitis
Urinary tract infection
Vaginal yeast infections |
Allergies In theory, Lactobacillus acidophilus may be difficult to tolerate in people who have an allergy to or gastrointestinal upset from dairy products such as milk. Side Effects Lactobacillus acidophilus has been well-tolerated in studies. Some people may experience gas or stomach discomfort at first, but these symptoms usually go away with continued use. Some women have described burning or irritation in the vagina when Lactobacillus acidophilus was used vaginally. Rarely, people with weak immune systems may be at risk of developing a serious infection when taking Lactobacillus acidophilus. People who have had an injury or illness of the intestinal wall; who have had illness that makes them prone to getting infections; who take prescription drugs, such as corticosteroids (prednisone), that may make them vulnerable to infections; who have had surgery to replace a heart valve; or who have a heart murmur should speak with a health care professional before taking Lactobacillus acidophilus. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding In some studies, pregnant women have been treated with Lactobacillus acidophilus without any adverse effects. However, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, it is recommended that you consult a health care professional before using Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Interactions with drugs, herbs and other supplements have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with a health care professional or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs Some experts believe that antibiotics or alcohol may destroy Lactobacillus acidophilus. As a result, it is recommend that Lactobacillus acidophilus be taken three hours after taking antibiotics or drinking alcohol. Some scientists also believe that Lactobacillus acidophilus may be destroyed or inactivated by acids in the stomach. As a result, it is sometimes suggested that patients use a drug to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach one hour before taking Lactobacillus acidophilus. Examples include famotidine (Pepcid) and esomeprazole (Nexium). It is also possible that Lactobacillus acidophilus may increase the length of time that the effects of some drugs last, such as lorazepam (Ativan), which may increase the drug side effects, such as drowsiness. This interaction is possible in theory, but it has not been studied in humans. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements Lactobacillus casei, Saccharomyces boulardii or other probiotics may increase the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus. In theory, Lactobacillus acidophilus may be more effective if taken with foods such as bananas, asparagus and garlic. These foods are believed to provide nutrients that increase the effectiveness of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS, also called "prebiotics") are nondigestible sugar chains that are nutrients for lactobacilli. Some experts believe that FOS, taken by mouth at a dose of 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams, may help the growth of lactobacilli. Natural food sources of FOS include bananas, Jerusalem artichokes, onions, asparagus, and garlic.
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care professional before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. Doses of Lactobacillus acidophilus preparations are based on the number of live bacteria. For Vaginal Bacterial Infection Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) Capsules/tablets/liquid: A dose of 1 to 10 billion live bacteria, in divided doses, has been taken daily by mouth. Vaginal suppository: One to two suppositories, each containing 10 million to 1 billion live bacteria, have been inserted into the vagina once or twice daily. For Diarrhea Capsules containing 1.5 grams of Lactobacillus acidophilus have been used. Children (Younger Than 18) Some natural medicine experts and textbooks state that one-quarter teaspoon or one-quarter capsule of commercially available formulations taken by mouth is likely safe for children to replace bacteria destroyed by antibiotics. One study used a dose of 10 to 12 colony-forming units per gram given twice a day for five days. Liquid formulations may be applied to the diaper area to treat yeast infections, although this use has not been proven in scientific studies.
Although Lactobacillus acidophilus has been suggested for many conditions, the best evidence supports its use for vaginal bacterial infections. Lactobacillus acidophilus appears to be well tolerated, although stomach discomfort is possible. Although Lactobacillus acidophilus appears to be safe for use in pregnancy, if you are pregnant and are considering using this supplement, discuss this with a health care professional. If you are taking antibiotics, it is best to take Lactobacillus acidophilus two or three hours before or after taking the antibiotic. People with immune system problems or taking drugs that weaken the immune system should avoid Lactobacillus acidophilus. Consult a health care professional immediately if you experience side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Lactobacillus acidophilus Natural Standard reviewed more than 215 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Adolfsson O, Meydani SN, Russell RM. Yogurt and gut function. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80(2):245-256.
- Beigi RH, Wiesenfeld HC, Hillier SL, et al. Factors associated with absence of H2O2-producing Lactobacillus among women with bacterial vaginosis. J Infect Dis 2005;191(6):924-929.
- Ben XM, Zhou XY, Zhao WH, et al. Supplementation of milk formula with galacto-oligosaccharides improves intestinal micro-flora and fermentation in term infants. Chin Med J (Engl) 2004;117(6):927-931.
- Bonorden MJ, Greany KA, Wangen KE, et al. Consumption of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum do not alter urinary equol excretion and plasma reproductive hormones in premenopausal women. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004;58(12):1635-1642.
- Cannon JP, Lee TA, Bolanos JT, Danziger LH. Pathogenic relevance of Lactobacillus: a retrospective review of over 200 cases. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2005;24(1):31-40.
- De Groote MA, Frank DN, Dowell E, et al. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG bacteremia associated with probiotic use in a child with short gut syndrome. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2005;24(3):278-280.
- Fedorak RN, Madsen KL. Probiotics and the management of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2004;10(3):286-299.
- Greany KA, Nettleton JA, Wangen KE, et al. Probiotic consumption does not enhance the cholesterol-lowering effect of soy in postmenopausal women. J Nutr 2004;134(12):3277-3283.
- Ishida Y, Nakamura F, Kanzato H, et al. Clinical effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L-92 on perennial allergic rhinitis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Dairy Sci 2005;88(2):527-533.
- Kliegman RM, Willoughby RE. Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis with probiotics. Pediatrics 2005;115(1):171-172.
- Land MH, Rouster-Stevens K, Woods CR, et al. Lactobacillus sepsis associated with probiotic therapy. Pediatrics 2005;115(1):178-181.
- Lee SY, Chang CT, Lee MH, Wu MS. Lactobacillus peritonitis: a rare cause of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients. Ren Fail 2004;26(4):419-423.
- Marelli G, Papaleo E, Ferrari A. Lactobacilli for prevention of urogenital infections: a review. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2004;8(2):87-95.
- Nikolaeva TN, Zorina VV, Bondarenko VM. [Immunostimulating and anti-carcinogenic activity of the normal intestinal lactoflora]. Eksp Klin Gastroenterol 2004;(4):39-43, 109.
Nikolaeva TN, Zorina VV, Bondarenko VM. [The role of cytokines in the immunoreactivity modulation with bacteria of the Lactobacillus genus]. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol 2004;(6):101-106. - Oberreuther-Moschner DL, Jahreis G, Rechkemmer G, Pool-Zobel BL. Dietary intervention with the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus 145 and Bifidobacterium longum 913 modulates the potential of human faecal water to induce damage in HT29clone19A cells. Br J Nutr 2004;91(6):925-932.
- Ocana VS, Elena Nader-Macias M. Adhesion ability of Lactobacillus to vaginal epithelial cells: study by microbiological methods. Methods Mol Biol 2004;268:441-445.
- Ozkinay E, Terek MC, Yayci M, et al. The effectiveness of live lactobacilli in combination with low dose oestriol (Gynoflor) to restore the vaginal flora after treatment of vaginal infections. BJOG 2005;112(2):234-240.
- Pirotta M, Gunn J, Chondros P, et al. Effect of lactobacillus in preventing post-antibiotic vulvovaginal candidiasis: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2004;329(7465):548.
- Plummer S, Weaver MA, Harris JC, et al. Clostridium difficile pilot study: effects of probiotic supplementation on the incidence of C. difficile diarrhoea. Int Microbiol 2004;7(1):59-62.
- Saggioro A. Probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol 2004;38(6 Suppl):S104-S106.
- Wang KY, Li SN, Liu CS, et al. Effects of ingesting Lactobacillus- and Bifidobacterium-containing yogurt in subjects with colonized Helicobacter pylori. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80(3):737-741.
- Zhao HY, Wang HJ, Lu Z, Xu SZ. Intestinal microflora in patients with liver cirrhosis. Chin J Dig Dis 2004;5(2):64-67.
Last updated July 12, 2005
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