Acidophilus vs. Probiotics: Understanding the Difference & Benefits

Acidophilus is a form of a probiotic. It is mainly used to aid digestion and repopulate the digestive track with good bacteria. Probiotics, those with a mix of acidophilus and other types of good bacteria, are considered broad-spectrum, meaning they work better when combined to aid more than one type of problem within the digestive track. Probiotics that are most effective have a billion or more active organisms.

Acidophilus

• Called Lactobacillus Acidophilus, this single good bacteria is beneficial for those with diarrhea and digestive ailments because it helps to repopulate the digestive track with good bacteria and fight the bad bacteria that leads to disease.

Types

• Acidophilis is effective enough when taken in pill or tablet form, and sometimes it is all that is needed to maintain healthy levels of bacteria in the gut.

Broad Spectrum Probiotics

• Probiotics, such as L. Bifidus, and L. Acidophilus, combined with other forms of good bacteria, help decrease incidences of digestive upset and other ailments.

Benefits

• After two months of supplementation, probiotics may improve bowel function, lactose intolerance, digestive upset, constipation/diarrhea, yeast infection, certain infections, liver, circulatory, muscle and joint function, food allergies and more.

Warnings

• Probiotics are safe to take. Too much may cause an over-cleansing of one's system or diarrhea.