Lactobacillus: Uses and Risks
Lactobacillus: Uses and Risks
Lactobacillus is a type of "friendly" bacteria. It lives in your body but doesn't cause disease. You can also get it in food and supplements.
Lactobacillus may help your body:
Gymnema
Gymnema is a shrub that grows in India and Africa. People in India have been using gymnema leaves for thousands of years to try to treat diabetes. The Hindu word for gymnema -- gurmar -- means "sugar destroyer."
Read the Gymnema article > >
People take lactobacillus for many reasons.
Digestive system. People take lactobacillus to try to treat or prevent diarrhea. It can help children more quickly get over diarrhea caused by an infection.
Lactobacillus may also help prevent diarrhea for:
People also take lactobacillus to try to treat other problems related to the digestive system. Studies show some promise for:
There isn't enough research to know if lactobacillus helps with Crohn's disease or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature babies.
Infections. Many studies show that lactobacillus may help prevent infections. For example, it may help prevent lung infections in children in daycare centers. It also may help treat or prevent vaginal infections caused by bacteria.
But there isn't enough known about using lactobacillus for colds or urinary tract infections. And it isn't clear if it can boost the immune system or prevent infections in people on ventilators.
Skin problems. People take lactobacillus to try to treat:
Eczema may benefit from the use of lactobacillus, but there isn't enough evidence to know if it helps with these other skin problems.
As for other uses, it's not clear whether it is effective for lactose intolerance, high cholesterol, or Lyme disease.
Researchers have used many different doses of lactobacillus. The optimal dose is not known. But a typical daily dose ranges from 1 to 10 billion living organisms pr day. You take this divided into three to four doses each day, ideally before or with meals. It may work better if the product is kept in the refrigerator.
Lactobacillus is called a probiotic when you take it in adequate amounts to help with health. However, supplement ingredients and quality may vary widely from maker to maker. This makes it hard to set a standard dose.
Lactobacillus may help your body:
Recommended Related to Vitamins & Supplements
Gymnema
Gymnema is a shrub that grows in India and Africa. People in India have been using gymnema leaves for thousands of years to try to treat diabetes. The Hindu word for gymnema -- gurmar -- means "sugar destroyer."
Read the Gymnema article > >
- Break down food
- Absorb nutrients
- Resist infections in the gastrointestinal tract
Why do people take lactobacillus?
People take lactobacillus for many reasons.
Digestive system. People take lactobacillus to try to treat or prevent diarrhea. It can help children more quickly get over diarrhea caused by an infection.
Lactobacillus may also help prevent diarrhea for:
- Travelers
- Hospitalized adults
- People taking antibiotics
- Patients getting cancer treatment
People also take lactobacillus to try to treat other problems related to the digestive system. Studies show some promise for:
- Colic in babies
- Ulcerative colitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Helicobacter pylori infection, which causes ulcers
There isn't enough research to know if lactobacillus helps with Crohn's disease or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature babies.
Infections. Many studies show that lactobacillus may help prevent infections. For example, it may help prevent lung infections in children in daycare centers. It also may help treat or prevent vaginal infections caused by bacteria.
But there isn't enough known about using lactobacillus for colds or urinary tract infections. And it isn't clear if it can boost the immune system or prevent infections in people on ventilators.
Skin problems. People take lactobacillus to try to treat:
- Fever blisters
- Acne
- Eczema, especially in children with eczema in the family
- Canker sores
- Hives
Eczema may benefit from the use of lactobacillus, but there isn't enough evidence to know if it helps with these other skin problems.
As for other uses, it's not clear whether it is effective for lactose intolerance, high cholesterol, or Lyme disease.
Researchers have used many different doses of lactobacillus. The optimal dose is not known. But a typical daily dose ranges from 1 to 10 billion living organisms pr day. You take this divided into three to four doses each day, ideally before or with meals. It may work better if the product is kept in the refrigerator.
Lactobacillus is called a probiotic when you take it in adequate amounts to help with health. However, supplement ingredients and quality may vary widely from maker to maker. This makes it hard to set a standard dose.