We’re all aware of advertisements of acidophilus as a supplement to keep the bowel healthy. It is promoted as a treatment for diarrhea, yeast infection and lower cholesterol levels. And here’s what can floor you, it is advertised that acidophilus can prevent cancer.

We have billions of good bacteria in our intestines that produce essential nutrients necessary for health. One such nutrient is Vitamin K that aids in blood clotting. Also, acidophilus maintain the balance of intestinal flora and keep the harmful bacteria at bay. A good balance of good and bad bacteria prevents illnesses of the gastrointestinal tract.

Acidophilus became popular because of the observation that Balkan people consume large amounts of food with acidophilus. Consequently, they had long life spans.

Research facts

Milk fermentation with acidophilus bacteria produces dairy products like yogurt. Laboratory research has shown that consuming these acidophilus products prevents skin and breast cancers.

The action of the acidophilus is the protection of DNA from damage. The DNA contains the vital genetic information that is transferred during replication to daughter cells. A faithful transfer of genetic material assures that the process of cell replication is normal. If the DNA is damaged, the replication process would produce aberrant cells. This initiates the development of cancer.

However, there aren’t any clinical trials conducted as evidence that acidophilus indeed prevents cancer.

Additionally, researches have shown that acidophilus products are great to combine with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. During antibacterial therapy, the normal intestinal flora is destroyed resulting in a decreased production of some nutrients. So also, during chemotherapy and radiation, the normal flora of the intestines is wiped clean. As an effect, diarrhea ensues. As such, it protects against diarrhea that is all too common during radiation and chemotherapy.

Acidophilus supplementation doesn’t have any deleterious side effects except for bloating.

The product is sold over the counter as a dietary supplement. The FDA cannot enforce strict quality control over the marketing of the product. Hopefully, standardization should be in effect in the near future.

Is it a Scam ?

It seems a waste of money to buy the encapsulated product. I’d rather stick to yoghurt which contains the same acidophilus and enjoy its delicious taste too. Yummy!