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Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Lactobacillus Acidophilus: What you need to know

What is Lactobacillus Acidophilus? Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) is a naturally occurring bacterium that lives in your intestinal tract (gut), mouth and vagina¹. Lactobacillus acidophilus is commonly found in food including milk and fermented milk products and yogurt that bears "live cultures" of L. acidophilus on the container.

There are an estimated several trillion cells of bacteria, comprising over 400 species in the average human gastrointestinal tract. In fact, you have more bacterial cells than human cells occupying your body! Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the most common species of these bacteria found in the gut and specific strains are commonly used as a probiotic², or "friendly" bacteria. These healthy bacteria help balance the intestinal tract to help promote digestive health.

Oftentimes various stresses devastate the levels of Lactobacillus acidophilus in a person's intestinal tract.

How Does Lactobacillus Acidophilus support a healthy gut?

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a naturally-occurring strain of intestinal bacteria that can have a beneficial effect on digestive health. When Lactobacillus acidophilus breaks down food, it produces lactic acid, creating and acidic environment in the body which can prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Lactobacillus acidophilus also produces lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactose) into simple sugars.

What's the difference between Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus coagulans

The single-most significant difference is that Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming bacterium - meaning it has a naturally-occurring protective shell that protects the delicate probiotic genetic material within each cell from harsh manufacturing processes, stomach acids, and bile. This unique characteristic helps Bacillus coagulans arrive in the intestines, the intended target, multiply and have a positive effective on your digestive system. Lactobacillus acidophilus is not able to create this protective layer, making them more vulnerable. Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30) was chosen to be included in Sustenex® because of its ability to survive stomach acidity and intestinal bile. For this reason, Bacillus coagulans, specifically, Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086, was chosen to be included in Sustenex®.

Learn more about Sustenex® with BC30 >>
Learn more about Bacillus coagulans >>

Usage and Availability:

Lactobacillus acidophilus can be prepared as dried or liquid cultures of living bacteria. These cultures are usually grown in milk but can sometimes be grown in milk-free cultures for those people that are lactose intolerant. Lactobacillus acidophilus can be easily purchased in drinks, powders, yogurts and capsules as supplements. For best results, L. acidophilus supplements should be refrigerated. However, there are certain Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements that are manufactured in a way that does not require refrigeration. Check the package label for storage instructions. Lactobacillus acidophilus also produces lactase, an enzyme which is important in the digestion of milk. Symptoms such as gas, bloating, and discomfort sometimes develop in people who don't have sufficient lactase to break down milk. For this reason, Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements may be beneficial for these individuals.

Lactobacillus acidophilus Scientific Classification

Genus: Lactobacillus
Species: L. acidophilus
Binomial name: Lactobacillus acidophilus

Lactobacillus acidophilus means "acid-loving milk-bacterium"

Common species of Lactobacillus:

• Lactobacillus bulgaricus
• Lactobacillus casei
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus gg
• Lactobacillus sporogenes
• Lactobacillus reuteri
• Lactobacillus plantarum

References

¹ "Bacteria Genomes - LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS". European Bioinformatics Institute. Retrieved 2007-08-22
² Ljungh A, Wadström T (2006). "Lactic acid bacteria as probiotics". Curr Issues Intest Microbiol 7 (2): 73-89. PMID 16875422.