Probiotics ( Lactobacillus)

What is it? 

Lactobacillus is the “friendly good” bacteria that lives in our gut, urinary tract and and genital system without causing any diseases. It can also be found in dietary supplements and fermented food like yogurt and yakult. There are many different strains of lactobacillus.

Lactobacillus being the “friendly good” bacteria helps in digestion of food , absorption of nutrients and also to fight off “unfriendly bad” bacteria that can cause diseases.

Benefits

There are research conducted to prove that lactobacillus help to reduce severity of diarrhea caused by viruses and bacteria like clostridium, prevention of diarrhea due to antibiotics and also in hospitalized patients, improves colic in babies, treating irritable bowel syndrome & ulcerative colitis, preventing eczema, treating vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis and prevent traveler’s diarrhea.

Possible side effects 

At normal dosing it is safe for most people including babies, children , pregnant and lactating women. Most people tolerate it well without much side effects. 

Drug-Drug Interactions

Antibiotics will reduce the effectiveness of lactobacillus hence it should be ingested 2 hours apart from lactobacillus.

Immunesuppressants: as Lactobacillus contain live bacteria and yeast , for people who are on immune suppressants which weaken their immune system, they may fall sick from it.

Dosage 

The strength of lactobacillus products is dependent on the number of living organisms per tablet. The typical doses range from 1 to 10 billion living organisms which can be taken daily in 3-4 divided doses.

Please follow the instructions on product label and if in doubt consult your doctor first. Do not take overdose.