Lactobacillus

What is Lactobacillus?
Lactobacillus a form of bacteria that are also known as "beneficial" or "good" bacteria because they maintain a healthy digestive tract. By displacing other bacteria and yeast, Lactobacillus may also play an important role in immune system function and prevention of gastrointestinal problems, including cancer. Each of these three beneficial bacteria can be found in cultured yogurts and in freeze-dried form as dietary supplements.

Lactobacillus is useful

Reduces cholesterol
Supports immune function
Maintains healthy digestive system
Prevention of colon cancer

The digestive system is home to millions of bacteria that help digest, modify and convert the food we eat. Any alteration in the gastrointestinal environment is likely to influence the activity of these beneficial bacteria – sometimes posing health problems. Maintaining the "normal" populations of these good bacteria in the intestines, through consuming them as supplements or in cultured yogurt, can help displace (or "crowd out") disease-promoting bacteria and yeast that may gain a foothold when the levels of good bacteria drop.

Lactobacillus and other beneficial bacteria are both acid- and bile-resistant, and are, therefore, capable of surviving transit through the gastrointestinal tract after they are ingested. These bacteria are sometimes called "probiotics" because regular consumption is linked to health benefits such as reducing cholesterol, preventing microbial growth, modulation of the immune system and, possibly, prevention of colon cancer.

Both human and animal studies have shown direct benefits of regular consumption of acidophilus and other beneficial bacteria on immune system function. Overall, the probiotic bacteria tend to result in an enhanced ability of the immune system to recognize and destroy invading organisms. Several key components of the immune system, including macrophages, immunoglobulins cytokines are altered by regular intake of beneficial. Populations of white blood cells are known to increase in number and activity following 1-2 weeks of consuming beneficial bacteria. Importantly, resistance to viral and bacterial infections is significantly improved following regular intake of probiotic bacteria.

Epidemiological studies support the possibility that consumption of beneficial bacteria (from fermented milk and yogurt) may play a role in the prevention of colon. Test tube studies have shown that Acidophilus can decrease the cancer-causing potential (mutagenic activity) of various carcinogens – possible due to a direct interaction between the carcinogens and the bacteria. Acidophilus consumption has also been shown to reduce levels of cancer-causing enzymes in the digestive tract, supporting the possibility that Acidophilus and other beneficial bacteria do indeed play a role in the prevention of colon cancer.

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