Digestion – Culture For Good

November 21, 2022January 26, 2023

In Digestion, Gut Healthby Callie Gilman

Lactobacillus Acidophilus: A Gut Health Probiotic

There is a lot of buzz around the health benefits of probiotics and for a good reason. Probiotics are microorganisms that support the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. A well-functioning gut is essential for overall health.

It helps digest food, absorb nutrients, and fight off infection. One probiotic, in particular, Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), has been shown to provide a number of health benefits. Keep reading and learn more.

1What Is Lactobacillus Acidophilus, And What Are Its Health Benefits?

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic that is commonly found in yogurts and other fermented foods. It has many health benefits, like the ones listed below.

Boosting the immune system: Lactobacillus acidophilus produces hydrogen peroxide, which kills harmful bacteria and viruses. This makes it an effective tool for boosting the immune system.
Treating diarrhea: Lactobacillus acidophilus can help treat diarrhea by helping restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut.
Reducing lactose intolerance: Lactobacillus acidophilus breaks down lactose, making it easier for people with lactose intolerance to digest dairy products.

2How Can You Make Sure That The Supplement You’re Taking Contains Lactobacillus Acidophilus?

Make sure that the probiotic supplement you take contains Lactobacillus acidophilus. You can do this by checking the label. If it’s not an ingredient, ask your healthcare professional for a specific probiotic supplement recommendation that does include this probiotic.

It’s crucial to follow their recommended dose. It’s also vital to store the supplement in a cool, dry place. Remember to discard it once it has expired.

3What Are Good Food Sources That Contain Lactobacillus Acidophilus?

Here are some foods that are good sources of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Yogurt: Look for yogurts that say “live and active cultures” on the label.
Kefir: This is a fermented milk drink that contains live probiotic cultures.
Sauerkraut: This fermented cabbage dish is rich in Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Pickles: Pickled cucumbers are another great source of this probiotic.
Tempeh: This fermented soybean product is a great plant-based source of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

There are many ways to incorporate more Lactobacillus acidophilus into your diet. Some suggestions include the following below.

Eat yogurt or kefir for breakfast or as a snack.
Use sauerkraut or pickles as condiments on sandwiches or burgers.
Include tempeh in stir-fries, salads, or wraps.
Make your fermented foods at home, such as pickles, sauerkraut, or kimchi.

4Are There Any Risks Associated With Taking A Supplement That Contains Lactobacillus Acidophilus?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that line the gut and support digestion and immune function. Probiotics are considered generally safe. However, some people experience negative side effects when taking them, such as gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Additionally, there is some concern that taking probiotics in high doses or for long periods of time could cause harm. Are you considering taking a probiotic supplement that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus? If you are, it is vital to do your research first and speak to your doctor about any potential risks involved.

5How Do You Know If You Are Getting The Most Out Of Your Probiotic Supplement?

It usually takes a few weeks for a person to start seeing results from taking a probiotic supplement. However, it’s essential to remember that everyone is different and that you may not see results until you’ve been taking the supplement for a few months. If you’re not seeing any benefits after taking a probiotic supplement for an extended period, it’s possible that you’re not getting the most out of it.

Look for these signs to help you determine if this is the case.

You’re not feeling any better after taking the supplement.
The supplement isn’t making a noticeable impact on your digestive health.
You’re struggling with recurrent yeast infections or other gut problems.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to talk to your doctor about finding a probiotic supplement that works better for you.

Here are some foods and drinks that you may want to avoid while taking a probiotic supplement.

Alcohol: If you’re taking a probiotic supplement that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, you should avoid drinking alcohol, as it can kill bacteria.
Caffeine: Caffeine can also kill the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Processed foods: Processed foods are often high in sugar, which can feed the bad bacteria in your gut and lead to problems like yeast overgrowth.
Dairy products: Dairy products can contain high levels of lactose, which can be difficult for some people to digest.

It’s vital to drink plenty of water while taking a probiotic supplement, as it will help the bacteria colonize your gut. It’s also important to remember that probiotics are living organisms, so they need to be stored properly. Most probiotic supplements should be refrigerated to ensure that the bacteria remain alive and active.

Consuming a probiotic supplement offers many benefits. This is if you’re taking it correctly. Here are five ways to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your probiotic supplement.

Take the supplement with food. This will help it work better in your gut.
Don’t exceed the recommended dosage – more is not always better when it comes to probiotics!
Be consistent in taking the supplement. Don’t skip doses or take it sporadically – this won’t allow good bacteria to colonize your gut and establish themselves, limiting the potential health benefits of consuming probiotics overall.
Store the bottle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Avoid eating highly processed foods while taking the supplement since these can interfere with how well the bacteria work and reduce its impact.

6Can You Take Too Much Of A Supplement That Contains Lactobacillus Acidophilus?

When it comes to probiotic supplements, it is crucial to be aware of the dosage. Too much of a probiotic supplement that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus can lead to negative side effects. Some of the side effects include gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

It is essential to consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement, including probiotics; your doctor will be able to recommend the dosage that is best for you. There are benefits to taking more than the recommended dosage of a probiotic supplement that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus. Taking a higher dosage can help you get the most out of your probiotic supplement.

7What Should You Do If You Experience Negative Side Effects While Taking A Lactobacillus Acidophilus Supplement?

If you’re experiencing negative side effects while taking a Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare professional to determine the best course of action. Some potential solutions might include discontinuing the use of the supplement, lowering the dosage, or switching to a different probiotic supplement. However, one of the best ways to determine if the negative side effects are being caused by the Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement is to keep track of when they occur and how severe they are. This can help your healthcare professional make a more accurate diagnosis.

Some potentially negative side effects of taking a Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement might include gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these side effects are typically mild and temporary. If you experience any severe or persistent side effects, it’s important to consult with your healthcare professional.

One possible way to minimize the negative side effects of taking a Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement is by taking it with food. This can help reduce stomach upset or nausea. Additionally, you might want to try spacing out your doses throughout the day instead of taking all of them at once. And finally, make sure to drink plenty of fluids while taking a probiotic supplement, as this can also help minimize any adverse effects.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic that has been shown to provide a number of health benefits. By taking a supplement that contains L. acidophilus, you can boost your immune system. You also improve your overall health.

August 25, 2021September 1, 2022

In CBD, Digestionby Callie Gilman

4 Ways CBD Can Affect Digestion

Ever since CBD proved to have anti-inflammatory properties, more and more research has sought out other benefits it can have on our health¹. Currently, the groundwork of cannabidiol as a treatment for gut and digestive system complications is coming to light.

Within the past couple of decades, nutrition has become a hot topic. Part of this has to do with the concerns people have for their overall health. But it also has to do with the copious amount of research revealing the important roles nutrition plays in our mental health.

Throughout this article, you’ll learn how important your digestive system is to the rest of your body and how CBD can have a positive impact on it.

1The Importance of a Healthy Gut

Hippocrates once said, “All disease begins in the gut.” Yet, it’s only been in recent years that scientists have discovered how spot on that statement is.

The gut houses most of our microbiome – a vast ecosystem of trillions of organisms living within and on our bodies. All these little critters play a vital role in our overall health. They’re responsible for²:

Breaking down toxic food compounds
Incorporating specific vitamins and amino acids
The functioning of the immune system

These three aspects of our microbiome play one of the most significant roles in our overall health. So much so, they may even be linked to our thoughts and emotions.

2The Link Between Digestive and Mental Health

Did you know scientists have only recently discovered what’s being labeled as our “second brain”? It’s known as the enteric nervous system (ENS) and it plays a strong role in the following areas³:

Digestion
Health
Mood
Thought patterns

Yes! Scientists have found an area in our gut responsible for aspects of our brain. And it’s unanimously agreed that good nutrition strongly affects our ENS.

So, what does this have to do with CBD?

Well, if CBD can have a positive impact on areas of our gut (such as our microbiome and ENS), then it has the potential to treat both physical and psychological health.

3The Endocannabinoid System and Our Health

Throughout history, many cultures have used cannabis as a means of treating illnesses of the gastrointestinal tract⁴. This may be due to the fact that our endocannabinoid system plays a major role in regulating the physiology of our gastrointestinal activity in the following areas:

Gut-brain arbitrated fat absorption
Gut permeability
Improving motility
Inflammation
Influential interactions with gut microbiota

The endocannabinoid system is made up of two specific cell receptors known as CB1 and CB2 receptors⁵. Both of which are found throughout the gut and digestive system. When the endocannabinoid system has faults, it can cause intestinal disorders such as the following:

Inflammatory bowel disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Obesity

Cannabinoids found in cannabis plants have the ability to bind to these receptors when taken. In turn, cannabinoids hold the ability to influence specific receptor sites where damage is occurring.

THC has been discovered to attach itself to CB1 receptors. But CBD is known to indirectly manage both CB1 and CB2 receptors⁶.

4What We Know About CBD And Digestion

Since researchers haven’t looked into CBD’s effects on every digestive problem humans face, we can only partly answer this question.

Leaky Gut

There are a number of different gut problems that come about due to gut permeability or “leaky gut”. Within our guts is a barrier of epithelial cells that form together for the sake of building a wall between the gut and the bloodstream. When food is intaken, this barrier allows nutrients to pass through while stopping dangerous pathogens and bacteria.

When this barrier is unable to withstand these dangers, we develop a leaky gut. Some studies suggest CBD might strengthen our epithelial cells in times of weakness⁷.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

When a person suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), they often develop symptoms, such as:

Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps

IBS can be caused by a number of different factors, including:

Changes in the microflora of the gut

Infection
Inflammation in the intestines
Muscle contractions in the intestine
Nerve irregularities in the digestive system

Similarly, there are different reasons why people contract IBS, including:

Eating certain foods

Heightened stress
Hormonal changes

For people currently suffering from IBS, it’s highly suggested you make healthy diet changes and take probiotics. Yet, you’ll probably also want to make CBD another form of treatment.

Lots of research has come out proving CBD to be a powerful adversary against IBS⁸. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD has a way of treating specific symptoms, such as pain and inflammation. Furthermore, research has found it may even slow down the progression of IBS.