Name: Anathi
Surname: Ndzimande
Student number: 21802215
LACTOBACCILLUS ACIDOPHILUS
There is a huge number of beneficial bacteria in our digestive system. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one the bacteria present in our intestine and has a huge impact on an individual’s health. This bacterium produces lactic acid with the aid of an enzyme called lactase that breaks down lactose and this is a sugar found in milk. It is often used as probiotics this is a live microorganism which, when administrated in adequate amounts confer a health on the host (Hill et.al, 2014). L. acidophilus has been extensively studied as a probiotic, and evidence has shown that it may provide several health benefits. However, there are many strains of this L. acidophilus, they each have different effect on your body (Ljungh et.al, 2006). The benefits of the bacterium are:
It may help reduce cholesterol when consumed on its own, in milk or yogurt or combined with other probiotics.
It may prevent and reduce chances of having a diarrhea when consumed with other probiotics.
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It can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) such as abdominal pain and bloating.
It can help treat and prevent vaginal infections such as vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis since it is a probiotic supplement.
Probiotics may be effective for weight loss, but more research is needed to determine whether L. acidophilus, influences weight loss in humans.
It may help prevent and reduce cold and flu symptom especially in children.
It may prevent and reduce allergy symptoms since there are probiotics.
It may help prevent and reduce symptoms of eczema.
Support gut health by increasing the amounts of healthy bacteria in the intestine.
L. acidophilus is a normal bacterium that can be a supplement particularly found in fermented food. Just like any beneficial bacteria when in large quantities it can be pathogenic to host.
REFERENCES
Hill, K., Guarner, F., Reid, G., Gibison, G.R., Merentein D.J., Pot, B., Canani R.B., Flint, H.J., Salminen, S., Calder P.C. and Sanders, M.F. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Aug; 11(8): 506-14.
Ljungh, A. and Wastrom, T. Curr. Issues Intest Microbiol. 2006; 7(2):73-89.
