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Lactobacillus acidophilus

Probioticlactic acid bacteriaModerate dose evidence

Also known as: L. acidophilus, NCFM, La-5, La-14, DDS-1, acidophilus

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Lactobacillus acidophilus is the most widely recognized probiotic species and a staple of yogurt cultures and multi-strain capsules. Strains such as NCFM, La-5, and DDS-1 have been studied individually; NCFM was tested in randomized trials for bloating in functional bowel disorders and for colonic opioid receptor expression in functional abdominal pain. It is used in daily digestive-support and women's health formulas, usually paired with a Bifidobacterium. Because strain identity, not species, determines the evidence base, the label should carry the specific strain designation and its CFU count.

Research summary

Produces lactic acid and bacteriocins that lower lumen pH; studied for competitive exclusion of undesirable bacteria and for interactions with mucosal immune receptors.

Gut & digestionImmune

Dosage

Daily amounts, of compound. CFU shown in billions.

Lowest studiedTypical rangeHighest studiedUpper limit
1 B CFU1–10 B CFU——

Amounts are in billions of CFU (enter 5 for 5 billion). Raw-material weight assumes a 100 billion CFU/g concentrate, i.e., 10 mg per billion CFU; manufacturers add a 20–50% CFU overage at fill so the label claim holds through shelf life, and the label should state whether CFU are guaranteed at manufacture or at expiry. Take daily with or just before a meal; refrigeration extends viability unless the supplier certifies room-temperature stability.

Standardization: Strain-designated freeze-dried culture; CFU per gram on certificate of analysis

Source material: freeze-dried culture

As supplied: Assumes 100 billion CFU/g concentrate (10 mg per billion CFU); actual concentrates range roughly 50–500 billion CFU/g, so adjust raw-material weight to the supplier CoA.

Forms of Lactobacillus

FormTypical doseElement %FormatsPrice
Lactobacillus acidophilus1–10 B CFU—Capsule, Powdermid
Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938)0.1–1 B CFU—Capsule, Powderhigh
Lactobacillus plantarum1–10 B CFU—Capsule, Powdermid
Lactobacillus casei1–10 B CFU—Capsule, Powdermid
Lactobacillus gasseri1–10 B CFU—Capsule, Powdermid

Format suitability

  • Capsule
  • Powder
  • Tablet
  • Softgel
  • Gummy
  • Liquid

Heat- and moisture-sensitive vegetative cells; capsule or dry powder only. Avoid gummies, tablets with high compression heat, and liquids.

Formulation notes

Keep water activity low; hygroscopic ingredients (magnesium citrate, inulin in humid fills) shorten viability. Separate from antibiotic dosing by at least two hours. Some strains are cultured on dairy media; confirm allergen status with the supplier.

Sources

  1. NIH ODS — Probiotics Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsNIH ODS
  2. Probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 versus placebo for the symptoms of bloating in patients with functional bowel disorders: a double-blind study. (Ringel-Kulka 2011)PubMed
  3. Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM affects colonic mucosal opioid receptor expression in patients with functional abdominal pain - a randomised clinical study. (Ringel-Kulka 2014)PubMed

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