Lactobacillus

What is it?

Lactobacillus is a “good bacteria” found in our digestive system. It does not cause any diseases. It helps us to digest the food we ingest, absorbs the nutrients from the food and prevents gut infection. Lactobacillus can be found in food like Yogurt, Cheese, Olives and Pickles.

Benefits

Lactobacillus supplements is taken to prevent diarrhea for travelers, patients on antibiotic treatments/ cancer treatments and some long stay hospitalized patients. Some studies find that lactobacillus helps in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, colitis in babies, ulcerative colitis and helicobacter pylori infection.

Possible side effects

Lactobacillus is generally safe for everyone including lactating and pregnant woman.  However if you are immune-suppressed, you should avoid taking lactobacillus to prevent possible infection.

Drug-drug Interactions

1.      Immune-suppressive drugs: Drugs like steroids and cyclosporin weakens the immune system and hence they should not take lactobacillus to reduce risk of infection.

Dosage

There is currently no specific guidelines on the appropriate dosage. Please follow the instructions on product label and if in doubt consult your doctor first. It is best to take lactobacillus about 2 hours before or after your antibiotics. 

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