Lactobacillus Acidophilus La02
Also known as: Lactobacillus acidophilus, probiotic lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus La02
Overview
Lactobacillus acidophilus La02 is a specific strain of Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacteria commonly found in the human gut and fermented foods. As a probiotic, it is primarily utilized in dietary supplements and functional foods to support gastrointestinal health. This strain is known for its ability to survive the acidic conditions of the stomach and transiently colonize the gut, where it produces lactic acid and modulates the gut microbiota. Research, including randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, indicates its effectiveness in preventing and treating various forms of diarrhea, such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and acute gastroenteritis, particularly in children. While general L. acidophilus research is extensive, strain-specific data for La02 is emerging, supporting its role in gut health.
Benefits
Lactobacillus acidophilus La02 offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily in gastrointestinal health. It significantly reduces the duration and frequency of diarrhea in children suffering from acute gastroenteritis, with moderate-quality evidence suggesting a reduction of approximately 0.5 to 0.9 days in diarrhea duration when administered at doses greater than 10^9 CFU. Furthermore, it is effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in adults, especially when combined with other probiotic strains like L. bulgaricus or Bifidobacterium species, showing pooled relative risk reductions ranging from 33% to 44%. While its primary benefits are in diarrhea management, L. acidophilus La02 also contributes to the modulation of gut microbiota composition and immune response, though the clinical significance of these secondary effects requires further investigation. The benefits are typically observed during and shortly after supplementation, usually within days to weeks.
How it works
Lactobacillus acidophilus La02 exerts its beneficial effects through several mechanisms within the gut lumen. It produces lactic acid, which lowers the intestinal pH, creating an unfavorable environment for the growth of many pathogenic bacteria. The strain also competes with harmful pathogens for adhesion sites on the intestinal mucosa, thereby preventing their colonization. Furthermore, L. acidophilus La02 modulates host immune responses and enhances the integrity of the mucosal barrier, contributing to overall gut health. It is believed to favorably influence the balance of the gut microbiota. This probiotic acts locally in the gut and is not absorbed into the bloodstream; its efficacy relies on its ability to survive gastric acidity and bile salts, which is a characteristic feature of effective L. acidophilus strains.
Side effects
Lactobacillus acidophilus La02 is generally considered safe for healthy individuals, including children. The most commonly reported side effects are mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating or gas, occurring in a small percentage of individuals (less than 5%). Very rare instances of bacteremia or sepsis have been reported in severely immunocompromised or critically ill patients, but these are exceptional cases. There are no major known drug interactions, though caution is advised when co-administering with immunosuppressants. Contraindications include severe immunodeficiency or critical illness, where the use of probiotics should be carefully considered. While data in pregnant women is limited, no known safety concerns have been identified. Overall, its safety profile is well-established in healthy populations, making it a generally well-tolerated supplement.
Dosage
For clinical effects in diarrhea and antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) prevention, the minimum effective dose of Lactobacillus acidophilus La02 is typically ≥10^9 CFU (colony-forming units) per day. The optimal dosage range commonly used in clinical trials is between 10^9 and 10^10 CFU per day. There is no established upper limit for safety, with doses up to 10^11 CFU per day having been used without reported safety concerns. Timing of administration often coincides with antibiotic treatment or the onset of diarrhea symptoms, and the duration of supplementation varies depending on the specific indication. L. acidophilus La02 is available in various forms, including capsules, powders, and fermented dairy products; the viability and efficacy can be influenced by the quality of the formulation. Since it is not absorbed, its survival through stomach acid is crucial, and enteric-coated or microencapsulated forms may enhance viability. The co-administration of prebiotics, such as inulin, may further enhance colonization and efficacy.
FAQs
Is Lactobacillus acidophilus La02 effective alone or only in combination?
Evidence supports benefits both as a single strain and in combination with other probiotics, with combinations potentially enhancing overall efficacy for certain conditions.
How soon can benefits be expected?
Reductions in diarrhea duration or incidence can typically be observed within a few days to a week of consistent supplementation.
Is it safe for children?
Yes, moderate-quality evidence supports the safety and efficacy of L. acidophilus La02 in children, particularly for acute gastroenteritis.
Does it aid weight loss?
Current research does not provide significant evidence to support the use of L. acidophilus La02 for weight loss without concurrent dietary interventions.
Research Sources
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2018.00124/full – This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigated the efficacy of probiotics, including L. acidophilus strains, in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in adults. It concluded that probiotic mixtures containing L. acidophilus significantly reduce the risk of AAD, with relative risk reductions ranging from 0.56 to 0.67. The study highlighted heterogeneity in strains and populations but provided moderate to high-quality evidence for AAD prevention.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/gastroenterology/articles/10.3389/fgstr.2022.983075/full – This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of probiotics, including those with L. acidophilus, on diarrhea incidence. It found that probiotics containing L. acidophilus reduce diarrhea incidence compared to placebo. The study was of moderate quality, noting some potential for publication bias, but generally supported the role of these probiotics in diarrhea management.
- https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/A-Systematic-Review-and-Meta-Analysis:-acidophilus-Cheng-Ma/2d73fe56771e3971012bb7a9f4ff22b12169130c – This systematic review and meta-analysis, based on 15 randomized controlled trials involving 1765 children, assessed the effect of L. acidophilus on acute gastroenteritis. It concluded that L. acidophilus reduces diarrhea duration by approximately 0.5 to 0.9 days, providing moderate-quality evidence. The study noted high heterogeneity among included studies and some non-significant subgroup effects.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8839062/ – This meta-analysis, which appears to be related to the previous one, further confirmed the reduction in diarrhea duration in children with acute gastroenteritis when supplemented with L. acidophilus. It suggested that the effect might be stronger when L. acidophilus is used in combination with other probiotics. The study acknowledged high heterogeneity and small subgroup sizes as limitations, maintaining a moderate quality assessment.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8292266/ – This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of L. acidophilus La02 on weight loss in a small sample of healthy young females. The study found no significant effect on weight loss, indicating that L. acidophilus La02 alone does not promote weight reduction without dietary control. This research was assessed as low to moderate quality due to its small sample size and lack of dietary intervention control.
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