WHAT IS LACTOBACILLUS?
Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria. There are lots of different species of lactobacillus. These are "friendly" bacteria that normally live in our digestive, urinary, and genital systems without causing disease. It is also in some fermented foods like yogurt and in dietary supplements.
1.It present in the vagina and the GIT where they make up a small portion of the gut flora
line of defence that supports the immune
system and wards off the invasion of toxins and germs.
2. Stabilizes ecological balance of the microbes in the gut and regulates immune functions to tone down the
level of allergic response.
3. Promotes efficient absorption and utilization of nutrients and elevates the nutritional values of food.
4. Produces beneficial compounds, vitamins, and enzymes that cannot be synthesized by the body.
Likely Effective for...
- Diarrhea in children caused by certain viruses.
Possibly Effective for...
- Preventing diarrhea in children caused by antibiotics or hospitalization.
- Treating diarrhea caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile.
- Bacterial vaginal infections.
- Treating and preventing eczema (atopic dermatitis) in infants and children.
- Helping prescription medications treat Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Lung infections in children.
- Preventing diarrhea due to traveling.
- Ulcerative colitis. Some research suggests that taking a specific combination product containing lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, and streptococcus might help induce remission and prevent relapse.
How does Lactobacillus work?
Many bacteria and other organisms live in our bodies normally. "Friendly" bacteria such as lactobacillus can help us break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "unfriendly" organisms that might cause diseases such as diarrhea.Are there safety concerns?
Lactobacillus is safe for most people, including babies and children. Side effects are usually mild and most often include intestinal gas.There is some concern that people with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients, might have an overgrowth of lactobacillus from taking supplements containing live bacteria. Lactobacillus has caused disease (rarely) in people with weakened immune systems. To be on the safe side, if you have a weakened immune system, avoid taking supplements containing live bacteria without advice from your healthcare giver.
Some products labeled to contain certain Lactobacillus species have not contained what was claimed. In fact, some have been contaminated with potentially disease-causing bacteria.
Do not take lactobacillus without guidance from your healthcare provider if:
- Your immune system is weakened by diseases such as HIV/AIDS or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.
- You have a condition called short bowel syndrome.
