Lactobacillusacidophilus (L. acidophilus) is the most commonly used probiotic, or "friendly" bacteria. Many healthy bacteria live in the intestines and vagina, where they protect against "bad" bacteria that can cause disease. They do this in a couple of ways: for example, when L. acidophilus breaks down food in the intestine, several substances are formed (such as lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide) that create an unfriendly environment for “bad” bacteria. Probiotics are often suggested as a supplement when you take antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria, but don’t discriminate between “friendly” and “unfriendly” organisms, so the balance between good and bad bacteria in the intestines can be upset. It is thought that taking probiotics helps restore the healthy balance of bacteria
Source: Lactobacillus acidophilus | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/lactobacillus-acidophilus#ixzz3VecL2MXl
University of Maryland Medical Center
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