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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- "Nutrition in Clinical Practice"; The Use of Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea With Special Interest in Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea; C.L. Rohde et al.; February 2009
- "Nutrition in Clinical Practice"; The Use of Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea With Special Interest in Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea; C.L. Rohde et al.; February 2009
- MedlinePlus: Lactobacillus: Medline Plus Supplements; March 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Lactobacillus Acidophilis: Dosing, Mayo Clinic Staff; April 2011
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Dosage of Acidophilus for Children
Doctors and natural healers alike may recommend probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that promote intestinal health by inhibiting the growth of pathogens, to treat a variety of conditions, including diarrhea in children. Lactobacillus acidophilus -- a tongue-twisting phrase commonly abbreviated as L. acidophilus -- is a common probiotic that exists naturally in some yogurts, as well as in miso and tempeh; it is also sold as a supplement. Although results are mixed, some clinical evidence supports the use of acidophilus in treating intestinal disorders. Consult your child's doctor before giving acidophilus.
Features
Probiotics, including acidophilus, create favorable conditions for beneficial bacteria -- or microflora -- found in the gut, as well as in the vagina and mouth. They do this by forming lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial compounds, which inhibit common pathogens such as E. coli and C. albicans. Probiotics are often prescribed to alleviate diarrhea caused by antibiotics -- which kill beneficial bacteria as well as pathogens -- as well as to promote digestion, alleviate irritable bowel syndrome, improve lactose tolerance, enhance the immune system, and lower the risk of eczema.cause:
- Probiotics are often prescribed to alleviate diarrhea caused by antibiotics -- which kill beneficial bacteria as well as pathogens -- as well as to promote digestion
- alleviate irritable bowel syndrome
- improve lactose tolerance
- enhance the immune system,
- lower the risk of eczema
They are also used for colic in babies, fever blisters, canker sores and hives. In addition to creating intestinal balance, probiotics help break down food and assist in absorption of nutrients. Because acidophilus is acid-resistant, it can persist in the stomach much longer than other bacteria.
- Probiotics, including acidophilus, create favorable conditions for beneficial bacteria -- or microflora -- found in the gut, as well as in the vagina and mouth.
- They do this by forming lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial compounds, which inhibit common pathogens such as E. coli and C. albicans.
Research
What Is the Daily Dose of Acidophilus?
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Some clinical research supports the use of probiotics for intestinal disorders, but others have shown inconclusive results. In a double-blind randomized study published in March 2001 in "Journal of Pediatrics," researchers found that Lactobacillus G.G 3. -- a strain related to L. acidophilus -- significantly reduced the risk of rotaviral diarrhea in hospitalized infants. In a review published in February 2009 in "Nutrition in Clinical Practice," the authors examined the role of probiotics in restoring proper balance of microbiota in the gut and reducing levels of diarrhea-causing opportunistic pathogens -- such as C. difficile -- that propagate in the intestine as a result of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics 2. They concluded that probiotics inhibit these pathogens by producing antimicrobial compounds and chemicals, and can help prevent and treat antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Children's Dosage
Acidophilus products are labeled by the amount of organisms they contain, with typical doses ranging from 1 to 10 billion organisms. MayoClinic.com advises treating children with a commercial preparation of up to 12 billion heat-killed L. acidophilus every 12 hours for five days. The dosage should be given either 2 hours before or 2 hours after giving antibiotics, which can affect the action of acidophilus. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that you can treat diaper rash or yeast infections in infants by using a liquid form of acidophilus as a lotion and applying it externally to the diaper area 5. Ask a doctor before using acidophilus on your child, especially if he is under 3 years old.
- Acidophilus products are labeled by the amount of organisms they contain, with typical doses ranging from 1 to 10 billion organisms.
- The dosage should be given either 2 hours before or 2 hours after giving antibiotics, which can affect the action of acidophilus.
Precautions
What Is a Probiotic Diet?
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Acidophilus -- which is found naturally in the intestinal tract -- is generally considered safe. However, it may be unsafe for children with weakened immune systems or short bowel syndrome. Buy acidophilus from a reputable health foods store; MedlinePlus notes that some products labeled L. acidophilus do not contain any acidophilus bacteria, while others may contain harmful bacteria. You should refrigerate acidophilus. If you are treating your child for diarrhea and symptoms last for more than a day -- or if your child seems dehydrated -- call your doctor.
- Acidophilus -- which is found naturally in the intestinal tract -- is generally considered safe.
- Buy acidophilus from a reputable health foods store; MedlinePlus notes that some products labeled L. acidophilus do not contain any acidophilus bacteria, while others may contain harmful bacteria.
Related Articles
References
- Drugs.com: Complete Acidophilus Information
- "Nutrition in Clinical Practice"; The Use of Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea With Special Interest in Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea; C.L. Rohde et al.; February 2009
- "The Journal of Pediatrics"; Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in Prevention of Nosocomial Diarrhea in Infants; H. Szajewska et al.; March 2001
- MedlinePlus: Lactobacillus: Medline Plus Supplements; March 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Lactobacillus Acidophilus; UMMC Staff; June 2009
- 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.
Writer Bio
Carol Sarao is an entertainment and lifestyle writer whose articles have appeared in Atlantic City Weekly, The Women's Newspaper of Princeton, and New Millennium Writings. She has interviewed and reviewed many national recording acts, among them Everclear, Live, and Alice Cooper, and received her Master of Fine Arts degree in writing from Warren Wilson College.