Acidophilus Lactobacillus - Information, Health Benefits, Healthy Digestion

Acidophilus Lactobacillus - Information, Health Benefits, Healthy Digestion

If you suffer from painful gas, bloating, constipation, or indigestion, or even bad breath, the problem may be a deficiency in lactobacillus acidophilus, often called acidophilus.

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Acidophilus is a type of bacteria found in the stomach and digestive tract that helps us break down our food for digestion. It helps break down proteins, releasing lactic acid, enzymes, B vitamins, and antibiotic substances that help maintain good health.

What Acidophilus Does For You

In a healthy colon, lactobacilli should account for 85% of the flora. However, the average colon has much less than this percentage, which can cause bloating, gas, constipation, and a malabsorption of food. Lack of lactobacillus acidophilus can also cause an increase in Candida, which in turn can cause unpleasant yeast infections.

In the stomach, acidophilus releases hydrogen peroxide and other gasses that kill yeast. However, when there is not enough acidophilus in the stomach, yeast tends to dominate. When you eat foods that are high in sugar or carbohydrates, the yeast builds up and releases gasses, which leads to feelings of gassiness, bloating, and indigestion.

When acidophilus breaks down proteins, it helps with the digestion of fats, which lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. It also helps in the digestion of milk sugars into simple sugars, which can assist digestion for those who are lactose intolerant.

A lack of acidophilus can also cause bad breath. Some bacteria or yeast in the stomach can cause halitosis when food is digested. Lactobacillus acidophilus does not cause halitosis when it breaks down food. If you have had unexplainable bad breath, it may have something to do with your digestion, and an acidophilus supplement can usually help.

New Health Supplements Research

There have been many other new applications for acidophilus. There has been research into its role in reducing the risk of colon cancer, because it helps with digestion and helps to regulate bowel movements. It has also been show to help with immune response, because it creates natural antibiotics in the body, reducing the risk of illness and infection. There has also been some speculation that it can reduce the symptoms of respiratory ailments, such as asthma, allergies, and sinus problems.

Because good health depends upon the absorption of nutrients, it's a good idea to increase the amount of acidophilus in your body.

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