Roll Call

“Lactobacillus acidophilus?”Here!acidophilus, a probiotic bacterium

Biotech

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As a supplement

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Roll Call does not check drug interactions or assess personal safety.

A species of lactic-acid-producing bacteria naturally found in the human gut and in fermented foods like yogurt. In supplements it is added as live, cultured organisms, usually measured in colony-forming units (CFU) rather than by weight.

Why it’s used

Taken as a probiotic, often to support digestive comfort or general gut balance, particularly around antibiotic use or mild digestive upset.

What the evidence says

Clinical research on probiotics is strain-specific and mixed; some trials of L. acidophilus and related strains show modest benefit for certain digestive complaints, while others show none. Because effects vary by strain, dose, and formulation, results from one product do not necessarily apply to another.

Context

Studies typically report dosing in colony-forming units (often billions of CFU per day) rather than milligrams, so no gram-based dose range applies. Trial populations and durations vary widely across the probiotic literature.

Rumors

  1. Acidophilus supplements cause bloating and gas.

    Does not support — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    Studied in: women with functional abdominal pain.

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

    • Drugs.com — a publisher: drug information website; owned by Drugsite Limited as trustee of the Drugsite Trust
      How we know who this is
      • “Drugs.com is the largest, most widely visited, independent medicine information website available on the Internet.” (their page)
      • “The Drugs.com website is owned and operated by Drugsite Limited, as trustee of the Drugsite Trust.” (their page)

  2. Acidophilus supplements prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections.

    Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    Studied in: women with recurrent candidal vaginitis.

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

  3. Acidophilus prevents and treats diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by antibiotics.

    Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    Studied in: adults receiving antibiotic (amoxicillin) treatment.

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

  4. Lactobacillus acidophilus supports digestive health and gut balance.

    Not gradedhealth and safety evidence

    Sources cited — no verdict reached.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Swanson Vitamins — a brand: sells its own vitamins and supplements
      How we know who this is
      • “At Swanson Vitamins, integrity means you get exactly what's promised: Safe, pure, effective supplements that you can trust.” (their page)

  5. Lactobacillus acidophilus boosts the immune system and helps prevent colds and flu.

    Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    Studied in: healthy children aged 3-5 years.

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this