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What is acidophilus? (And where to find it)
In short:
Acidophilus is a particular species of probiotic from the Lactobacillus family of bacteria. It has been well-researched in supporting health in areas such as traveller’s diarrhoea, Candida overgrowth and antibiotic-associated thrush or diarrhoea. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a natural resident of your intestinal microflora, and is probably the most common species found in probiotic supplements on the market today.
In depth:
It is worth bearing in mind that acidophilus can come in varying strains and strengths, and that different strains of acidophilus have different properties and qualities. For example the strain Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 is registered in the prestigious 'Collection National de Culture de Microorganisms (CNCM)' at the Institut Pasteur in France, and has been shown to help break down lactose. On the other hand the strain Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® is registered at the North Carolina State University and has been clinically trialled in a huge amount of studies, in areas including IBS, health in the elderly, and pollen allergies.
Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 under the microscope. Find out about the clinical trials on our products here.
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®
With more than 35 published human clinical trials, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® is probably the world's most researched strain of acidophilus. (Read some of the trials here.)
In addition to demonstrating health support in human clinical trials, this has been shown in-vitro to have excellent survival through the stomach acidity, and excellent ability to bind to the gut wall lining. This large amount and wide variety of high quality research really sets this strain apart from other acidophilus strains. After all, when buying acidophilus it is essential to look at the quality of the strain, and not simply buy a 'generic' acidophilus supplement!
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® has been used and tested for over 40 years in different foods, and as far we know, we are the only company in England to provide this strain in a probiotic supplement. It can be found in our product For daily wellbeing EXTRA Strength, which will provide at least 5 billion viable cells of L. acidophilus NCFM® per capsule (alongside another 15 billion viable cells of other probiotic species).
Pure acidophilus supplements
At OptiBac we find that acidophilus works well when combined with other probiotic species rather than on its own. We work very hard on developing probiotic formulas of the highest quality, and as of yet, we have not found any evidence or clear benefit from taking acidophilus on its own.
At the end of the day, we would always insist that each customer takes the probiotic that is best for them. So if you are looking for acidophilus, it's best to ask yourself why you want an acidophilus probiotic, and then take the supplement that's right for you. There's certainly no harm in taking your acidophilus alongside other probiotic species & strains. Find out more about our range below.
Where to buy acidophilus
You can buy probiotic supplements containing acidophilus on our website here. The Lactobacillus acidophilus species can be found in 7 of our 9 products, and we use 3 different strains of acidophilus across the range. We would always recommend you find the right probiotic supplement for you, as opposed to necessarily making a decision based on the amount of acidophilus in a capsule or sachet.
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®
As mentioned above, For daily wellbeing EXTRA Strength contains 5 billion viable cells of the world's most researched strain of acidophilus, L. acidophilus NCFM®. So if you want a high dose of a premium acidophilus strain, this is the product for you.
Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52
For daily wellbeing contains Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52, which is a well-researched strain of acidophilus, found to have excellent adherence to the gut wall lining. Whilst it's not the most researched in the world, it is certainly amongst the top! This strain comes from one of the world's leading institutes of microbiology, the Institut Rosell, and it has been through numerous clinical trials.
Although this supplement contains fewer billions of cells than the 'EXTRA Strength' version, it still provides more viable probiotic cells than the average probiotic yoghurt or supplement.
For daily wellbeing also contains added prebiotics (find out more about prebiotics here.)
[NB: If you are struggling to decide between these two daily probiotic supplements 'For daily wellbeing' and 'For daily wellbeing EXTRA Strength', more information to help you make your choice can be found here.]
For travelling abroad also contains L. acidophilus Rosell-52, along with some other high quality probiotic strains from the Institut Rosell.
This product is ideal for travellers; look at this product if you wish to support your body's natural defence against bad bacteria in the gut, whilst travelling. Like the rest of the range, this product does not require refrigeration.
For those on antibiotics contains just two strains; L. acidophilus Rosell-52 and L. rhamnosus Rosell-11. These strains have been extremely well-researched, in numerous clinical trials where they have been taken alongside antibiotics, and still shown to survive to reach the gut alive.
Maintain gut health even during your course of antibiotics, with a probiotic supplement especially made for, and suitable for, those taking antibiotics.
For a flat stomach contains the same Rosell strain of acidophilus, and is a short term course of probiotics especially designed for those who suffer from abdominal bloating.
This supplement comes in sachets; the contents of which can be added to cold food or drink.
For your child’s health again contains this same strain of acidophilus (Rosell-52), alongside two other probiotic species which are commonly found in the gut flora of healthy infants and children.
Suitable for infants from 6 months to 12 years old, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers; if you are looking for acidophilus to support your child's health, this product is ideal.
Lactobacillus acidophilus UBLA-34
For daily immunity is a combination of probiotics and antioxidants, and it contains a strain of acidophilus called Lactobacillus acidophilus UBLA-34. This has been showed in-vitro to have good adherence capabilities to the gut wall lining, and excellent pathogen-inhibition abilities.
To learn more about the importance of different probiotic species and strains, click here, or to find out more about our range, click here.