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Acidophilus for Acne
Although acne is a skin disorder that may strike at any age, it is most common in teenagers and young adults. Because the embarrassing zits that are acne’s most characteristic symptom pop up at a time when young people are beginning to find their way socially, teens are eager to find preventive measures. Although it may seem an unlikely treatment, acidophilus, a so-called good bacterium, seems to help prevent acne outbreaks 1.
How It Works
Acidophilus, also known by its more complete scientific moniker, lactobacillus acidophilus, is a bacterium that has beneficial health effects 1. Found most widely in the gastrointestinal tract and the vagina, acidophilus is known as a probiotic because it helps to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria in those areas 1. As its name hints, the bacterium works to maintain healthy levels of acid in the stomach, intestines and vagina, which in turn inhibits the development of infections that disease-carrying bacteria can cause when their numbers increase sharply.
Acne
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Acne is a skin condition that is characterized by the eruption of pimples or zits and is seen most commonly on the face, neck and shoulders but can appear elsewhere on the body. The whiteheads, blackheads and other skin lesions associated with acne develop when pores become blocked. As explained by MedlinePlus, each pore is a tiny opening in the skin that leads to a hair and oil gland 2. If the oil glands are working at normal levels, the oil they produce carries away dead skin cells and keeps the skin lubricated. When the oil glands overproduce, the excess oil can quickly plug the pore, allowing for a buildup of bacteria, natural debris and dirt and, eventually, a pimple.
- Acne is a skin condition that is characterized by the eruption of pimples or zits and is seen most commonly on the face, neck and shoulders but can appear elsewhere on the body.
- When the oil glands overproduce, the excess oil can quickly plug the pore, allowing for a buildup of bacteria, natural debris and dirt and, eventually, a pimple.
Acidophilus Depletion
In “All You Wanted to Know About Acne,” author Poonam Jain explains that a buildup of harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract can trigger health consequences elsewhere in the body, including a flareup of acne 3. He points out that various aspects of 21st-century life help to lower acidophilus levels, making it essential to build them back up through supplementation 1. As examples of acidophilus-depleting forces, Jain cites chlorinated water, antibiotics and other drugs, and high consumption of processed foods 1.
Supplementation
Benefits of the Probiotic Acidophilus
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When the body’s natural levels of acidophilus are depleted, you can try to restore bacterial balance in the GI tract through dietary means or supplementation 1. Yogurt contains acidophilus, but since the levels vary dramatically from one brand to another, supplements offer your best hope of getting things back to normal 1. In “Smart Medicine for Healthier Living,” authors Janet Zand, Allan N. Spreen and James B. LaValle recommend that acne sufferers take acidophilus supplements, which are available in health food stores, until symptoms clear up 14. They also say that supplements of bifidobacteria, another probiotic, can be helpful, particularly when taken in combination with acidophilus 1. Consult with your doctor before self-treating with acidophilus or any other nutritional supplement 1.
Side Effects and Interactions
While side effects from acidophilus are rare, according to Drugs.com, allergic reactions sometimes occur 1. If you experience difficulty breathing, hives and/or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, seek medical help immediately. If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics, be aware that such drugs kill or weaken all bacteria, both good and bad. Therefore, take acidophilus supplements well before or after taking your antibiotic prescription 1.
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References
- Drugs.com: Acidophilus
- MedlinePlus: Acne
- “All You Wanted to Know About Acne”; Poonam Jain; 2002
- “Smart Medicine for Healthier Living”; Janet Zand, Allan N. Spreen and James B. LaValle; 1999
- Guo H, Zheng Y, Wang B, Li Z. A Note on an Improved Self-Healing Group Key Distribution Scheme. Sensors (Basel). 2015;15(10):25033-8. doi:10.3390/fermentation5020041
- Goldenberg JZ, Yap C, Lytvyn L, et al. Probiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults and children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;12:CD006095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006095.pub4.
- Schettle L, Lio PA. Probiotics: The Search for Bacterial Balance. National Eczema Association.
- Understanding the health benefits of taking probiotics. Harvard Medical School. March 2014.
- Sun J, Buys N. Effects of probiotics consumption on lowering lipids and CVD risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Med. 2015;47(6):430-40. doi:10.3109/07853890.2015.1071872
- Cho YA, Kim J. Effect of Probiotics on Blood Lipid Concentrations: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015;94(43):e1714. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000001714.
- Homayouni A, Bastani P, Ziyadi S, et al. Effects of probiotics on the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis: a review. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2014;18(1):79-86. doi:10.1097/LGT.0b013e31829156ec
- Matsubara VH, Wang Y, Bandara HM, Mayer MP, Samaranayake LP. Probiotic lactobacilli inhibit early stages of Candida albicans biofilm development by reducing their growth, cell adhesion, and filamentation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2016;100(14):6415-26. doi:10.1007/s00253-016-7527-3
- Kovachev SM, Vatcheva-Dobrevska RS. Local Probiotic Therapy for Vaginal Candida albicans Infections. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2015;7(1):38-44. doi:10.1007/s12602-014-9176-0.
- Huang R, Wang K, Hu J. Effect of Probiotics on Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2016;8(8). doi:10.3390/nu8080483
- Microorganisms & Microbial-Derived Ingredients Used in Food (Partial List). US Food & Drug Administration. January 2018.
- Karlsson S, Brantsæter AL, Meltzer HM, Jacobsson B, Barman M, Sengpiel V. Maternal probiotic milk intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding complications in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Eur J Nutr. 2019. doi:10.1007/s00394-019-02072-8
- Taking Medications: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe. Cleveland Clinic. March 2014.
- Kadooka Y, Sato M, Ogawa A, et al. Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2013;110(9):1696-703. doi:10.1017/S0007114513001037
- Zhang Q, Wu Y, Fei X. Effect of probiotics on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicina (Kaunas). 2016;52(1):28-34. doi:10.1016/j.medici.2015.11.008
- Cho YA, Kim J. Effect of Probiotics on Blood Lipid Concentrations: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015;94(43):e1714. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000001714.
- Goldenberg JZ, Yap C, Lytvyn L, et al. Probiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults and children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;12:CD006095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006095.pub4.
- Huang R, Wang K, Hu J. Effect of Probiotics on Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2016.8(8). pii: E483. doi:10.3390/nu8080483.
- Kadooka Y, Sato M, Ogawa A, et al. Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2013;110(9):1696-703. doi:10.1017/S0007114513001037.
- Kovachev SM, Vatcheva-Dobrevska RS. Local Probiotic Therapy for Vaginal Candida albicans Infections. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2015;7(1):38-44. doi:10.1007/s12602-014-9176-0.
- Leyer GJ, Li S, Mubasher ME, Reifer C, Ouwehand AC. Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children. Pediatrics. 2009;124(2):e172-9. doi:10.1542/peds.2008-2666.
- Matsubara VH, Wang Y, Bandara HM, Mayer MP, Samaranayake LP. Probiotic lactobacilli inhibit early stages of Candida albicans biofilm development by reducing their growth, cell adhesion, and filamentation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2016;100(14):6415-26. doi:10.1007/s00253-016-7527-3.
- Mayo Clinic. Acidophilus. mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-acidophilus/art-20361967
- NIH: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Probiotics: What You Need To Know. nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics/introduction.htm
- Sun J, Buys N. Effects of probiotics consumption on lowering lipids and CVD risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Med. 2015;47(6):430-40. doi:10.3109/07853890.2015.1071872
- Zhang Q, Wu Y, Fei X. Effect of probiotics on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicina (Kaunas). 2016;52(1):28-34. doi:10.1016/j.medici.2015.11.008.
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Writer Bio
Don Amerman has spent his entire professional career in the editorial field. For many years he was an editor and writer for The Journal of Commerce. Since 1996 he has been freelancing full-time, writing for a large number of print and online publishers including Gale Group, Charles Scribner’s Sons, Greenwood Publishing, Rock Hill Works and others.