Lactobacillus acidophilus?(beneficial bacteria and probiotic supplements in treatment of digestive conditions)

No, it's not a prehistoric creature, it's a friendly bacteria!

Judging by the range of products labeled "antibacterial" these days -- a list that includes everything from soaps and cleansers to pillows and children's toys -- it would appear that bacteria do not have very good reputations. And that's a shame for one simple reason: it overlooks the fact that not all bacteria are bad.

Take Lactobacillus acidophilus, for example. If the name sounds vaguely familiar, it's because most of us know this microscopic life form as acidophilus, an ingredient commonly found in yogurt, kefir and a few fermented foods. Acidophilus, along with roughly 400 other related strains -- including Lactobacillus bifidus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus -- falls into the category of "probiotic," which is a technical way of saying that it is a health-enhancing bacteria.

The human body is designed to serve as home to billions of "good" bacteria. In turn, these tiny friends work hard, helping our immune systems ward off viruses, "bad" bacteria and fungi, while playing a role in the creation of B-vitamins and certain enzymes. In order to do this, good bacteria form colonies in the intestinal tract, where they aid in digestion.

When probiotic populations are high, nutrients from food and supplements are efficiently absorbed and distributed through the body. But if levels of good bacteria drop, the digestive system suffers, along with the person it belongs to. Inability to absorb nutrients can lead to bloating, candida (yeast), gas, diarrhea and/or constipation, allergies, skin conditions and a host of other problems. If left untreated, a condition known as dysbiosis, or imbalance, sets in, bringing with it the potential for major deficiencies in essential vitamins and other nutrients. Prolonged shortages of these substances raises the risk of developing more serious ailments -- inflammatory diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, colitis and even cancer. Trying to treat these problems with a better diet or supplements is like trying to put out a fire by throwing water everywhere except on the flames. The nutrients simply pass through the body without being utilized.

Unfortunately, the enemies of good bacteria are everywhere. Birth control pills, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol, smoking, broad-spectrum antibiotics, stress and, last but not least, the over-processed, high-fat, high-sugar content of the standard American diet can all take a toll on populations of good bacteria. To make matters worse, commercially-produced yogurt tends to have little, if any, live probiotic content, say experts, and certainly nowhere near the billions of organisms that it takes to restore a healthy intestinal balance.

"The majority of our population could use probiotics," says Dr. Victoria Hamman of The Natural Healing Center, in San Francisco, Calif. "Proper digestion is far more important than most people realize."