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“Friendly bacteria” is often a term used in advertising or marketing to give you an idea of how probiotics work in the body.
Lactobacillus is one of those bacteria that is often used in fermented foods like yoghurts and can also be found as lactobacillus supplements1.
It also has many health benefits, including support of your digestive, urinary and genital systems.2
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about lactobacillus and find out just how friendly it is.
Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria.
There are numerous species of lactobacillus, which are all known as “friendly” bacteria that normally live in your digestive, urinary and genital systems without causing you any trouble.
Most commonly, lactobacillus is used to treat diarrhoea, infectious diarrhoea and diarrhoea linked to the use of antibiotics.3
For some lactobacillus is used to help with digestion. It’s been noted as being particularly useful for helping with:
However, more research is needed to clarify just how effective lactobacillus is on these conditions.
We have many bacteria and other organisms living in our bodies, lactobacillus is no different.
The job of lactobacillus is to help you break down food, absorb nutrients and use its “friendly” nature to fight off unwanted bacteria that may cause stomach upsets such as diarrhoea.
The following science-backed benefits4 have been labelled lactobacillus as being possibly effective for:
Research shows that women and children taking lactobacillus may help improve symptoms of stomach pain.
It is thought that taking lactobacillus daily for five weeks may improve symptoms for grass pollen allergies, such as hay fever.
It is also considered that a higher dosage can improve itchy eye symptoms over a 12 week period.
Much research into lactobacillus shows that both adults and children who take probiotic products that contain lactobacillus can help prevent diarrhoea caused by taking antibiotics.
Studies show that lactobacillus may reduce the chance of diarrhoea by 60 to 70% when taken within two days of the beginning of treatment.
Research shows that lactobacillus products can reduce eczema symptoms in infants and children.
It is also considered that lactobacillus may help prevent eczema from developing altogether.
Also, if taken in the last month of pregnancy, mothers may be able to prevent their child from developing eczema if they use lactobacillus.
Although not all strains are proven to work.
Some research shows that certain strains of lactobacillus may prevent you from developing allergic reactions, such as asthma, runny nose and eczema in infants with a history of this condition.
Research has shown that lactobacillus suppositories and vaginal tablets can help prevent the growth of bacteria in the vagina.
Studies have also found that eating yoghurt or using vaginal capsules that contain lactobacillus may help prevent reoccurring infections.
However, the results of the study found that this will not prevent the overgrowth of bacteria in pregnant women.
Some research into lactobacillus has found that there may be links to nursing infants who have colic.
Colic is when a child cries a lot without any real known cause5 and lactobacillus is thought to be able to reduce, although this is thought to be dependant on the severity of colic.
Studies have found that using lactobacillus probiotics for around four to eight weeks may reduce symptoms of constipation, this includes:
Giving children aged between 1-36 months old lactobacillus can reduce the risk of development diarrhoea.
It is not thought that lactobacillus can reduce the risk of diarrhoea in older adults.
Taking lactobacillus probiotics may help lower your cholesterol in people with or without high cholesterol.
Some research indicates that lactobacillus may help prevent airway infections in both children and adults.
Infants and children who are given lactobacillus are at less risk of airway infections. However it is thought that not all strains of lactobacillus seem to work.
For adults, drinking fermented milk or powder that contains lactobacillus might help prevent airway infections and decrease how long symptoms last. However, this does not seem to help prevent infection in older adults.
Finally, research into lactobacillus shows that taking a supplement for eight weeks may reduce the swelling of tender joints in women with RA.
However, studies also show that a reduction of symptoms can differ depending on how severe the problem is.
As mentioned previously, lactobacillus can be found in yoghurt and other dairy products. It does however also occur naturally in some fermented foods, including5:
You can add lactobacillus to your diet with ease.
One of the most popular ways of doing this is by eating yoghurt or drinking yoghurt drinks.
As mentioned above, you can also add more lactobacillus through dietary supplements.
If you are looking to do this, you should choose a reputable brand and make sure you follow the directions carefully.
If you’re generally healthy and don’t have any underlying health issues. Side effects for taking lactobacillus are generally minimal.7
However, excessive use may result in:
If you have any serious underlying health concerns, you may consider close monitoring when taking probiotics as they may increase the risk of infections and other, more severe side effects.
Those who are lactose intolerant should also check the packaging before taking lactobacillus supplements as many contain lactose.
If you have any concerns about taking a probiotic, you should contact your GP or speak to a health professional.
As mentioned under our benefits section, lactobacillus has many ways to improve the health of both adults and children.
Mainly this helps with symptoms of stomach pain and diarrhoea, however the advantages of lactobacillus are much more vast and as you can see above, using it as a supplement can aid many positive reactions in your body.
Absolutely, lactobacillus falls into the “good” or “friendly” bacteria category.
The simple way to look at it is that probiotics like lactobacillus work against the bad bacteria to support your body so you can function properly. A bit like a probiotic superhero.
Lactobacillus bacterium is found in your mouth, intestine and vagina. This is then used as a probiotic.
Probiotics work with similar bacteria in your body to help support it. Each strain of probiotic, or each type can work in different ways.
As a supplement, lactobacillus can be found as capsules, tablets, wafters, powders and a vaginal suppository.
Probiotics have grown in popularity in recent times and there is little reason to believe that it can cause any harm. However, more science-backed research is needed to fully clear on this.
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Last updated: 3 December 2021