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Probiotics have gained popularity as emerging research continues to highlight their potential benefits for various health conditions.
Probiotics have gained popularity as emerging research continues to highlight their potential benefits for various health conditions. The most studied probiotics for acne are:
Holistic medicine views the body as a whole with every organ system connected to one another. It recognizes just how important addressing every system is for overall health. Individuals suffering from acne may be suffering from other conditions concurrently. In addition to relieving some symptoms of acne, these probiotic strains may be beneficial for several other aspects of health such as vaginal health, intestinal inflammation, immunity, cholesterol, liver function, fatigue, dental health, and more. This article will review other health conditions these probiotic strains have been studied for.
Lactobacillus acidophilus has been studied for:
Lactobacillus acidophilus has shown efficacy for bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Bacterial vaginosis occurs due to the presence of abnormal vaginal microbiota and a reduction in the lactobacilli strains.[1] A double-blinded placebo-controlled trial evaluated the use of a probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus acidophilus GLA-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 with bovine lactoferrin in addition to metronidazole in women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis.[1] After 6 months of treatment with the probiotic, vaginal discharge, itching, Nugent scores, and recurrence rates were significantly improved in the probiotic group.[1]
This same probiotic combination was evaluated for its efficacy as an adjunct therapy to topical clotrimazole in individuals with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.[2] The probiotic group in the study was superior to placebo in reducing itching and discharge within three and six months of treatment.[2]
A randomized clinical trial compared the use of an oral isoflavone alone, an oral isoflavone with probiotics, or hormone therapy in 60 postmenopausal women over 16 weeks.[3] The probiotics used were Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactococcus lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium lactis.[3] While the isoflavone group plus probiotic did improve vaginal health scores, it did not provide an estrogenic effect to relieve the menopausal related vulvovaginal symptoms, whereas the hormone group did.[3]
Probiotics have been used to reduce intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease and necrotizing enterocolitis.[4] Pathophysiology of these conditions include production of a variety of lipid mediators, including platelet-activating factor.[4]
The soluble factors on the cell surface of L. acidophilus were found to counteract the platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced inflammatory cascade.[4] Colitis improvement is thought to be controlled by L. acidophilus strain ATCC-4356 through regulation of the Notch pathway.[5] Alterations of the gut microbiome, barrier function and the selection of inflammatory cytokines were observed in rats with ulcerative colitis treated with L. acidophilus CGMCC 7282 and C. butyricum CGMCC 7281.[6] The combination of L. acidophilus CGMCC 7282 and C. butyricum CGMCC 7281 had a stronger anti-inflammatory effect than either of the individual strains alone in vitro.[6]
A double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluated a probiotic combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2 in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome symptoms including constipation, diarrhea, or a mix of both over 12 weeks. Females experiencing diarrhea symptoms had the most beneficial and consistent effects after using the probiotic.[7]
The L. acidophilus NCFM strain has been shown to reduce symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.[8] L. acidophilus has been shown to produce β-galactosidase, an enzyme able to hydrolyze lactose.[9] An RCT found L. acidophilus DDS-1 to improve abdominal symptom scores compared to placebo with respect to diarrhea, cramping, and vomiting during acute lactose intolerance episodes.[10]
Diarrhea may occur when apical Cl−/OH− ion exchange activity is inhibited by phorbol esters, nitric oxide, serotonin, and E.coli infection.[11]
Live L. acidophilus was found to secrete soluble fibers that stimulate Cl−/OH− ion exchange, improving electrolyte absorption.[11] Looking at other ion exchangers, one study demonstrated soluble effector molecules secreted by L. acidophilus to increase Na+/H+ exchange activity through modulation of NHE3 expression and function.[12] The soluble factors of L. acidophilus have previously been shown to stimulate Cl