Probiotics have the potential to help your body maintain a vast microbiome of microorganisms that can help your body remain in an optimal state of health. There are a number of varieties of bacteria that make up the body’s microbiome. In fact, there are seven core microbial organisms that are frequently used in probiotic products. This includes Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia and Bacillus. Each serves different purposes in regard to bodily functions. Lactobacillus is important for GI health.
It can help reduce diarrhea, bloating, cramping and inflammation in the colon. Bifidobacterium can decrease inflammation in the body and protect against diseases like colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
Lactinex is a probiotic product that features the principal ingredient Lactobacillus in the form of one or more bacteria from this genus. It’s not a prescription medication but is considered a dietary supplement.
While this microorganism is something that is naturally found in the body at all times, there will be instances when its population will be significantly decreased because of factors like an unhealthy diet, poor lifestyle choices or the use of certain medications (such as antibiotics). Eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and cultured dairy products can naturally help you build up a diverse microbiome.
What Is Lactinex?
A probiotic supplement that is designed to replace beneficial microorganisms in the human intestines and colon, Lactinex is a registered trademark of the company Becton, Dickinson and Company.
Containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, a bacterium that is commonly found in the stomach and intestines, Lactinex can help relieve common stomach issues like diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas and more. It has also been utilized for the improvement of symptoms associated with an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the vagina or with a urinary tract infection.
Lactinex is to be taken orally, according to the instructions included with the product. The Lactinex chewable tablet should be completely broken apart in the mouth before swallowing with a bit of water, milk or juice.
You can also add the granules to the meal that you’re eating. Children under the age of three should not use this product unless specifically advised by a doctor. It’s also important to monitor your results. If you find that your symptoms are getting worse, you’ll need to contact your doctor to find out if you should stop using Lactinex.
History of Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Initially isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract and given the name Bacillus acidophilus back in 1890, Lactobacillus acidophilus has long been used as a Gram-positive lactic acid bacterium in the dairy industry. This is thanks to its ability to improve flavor while also boosting probiotic benefits. More recently, it has become a common stand-alone probiotic supplement.
Originally, Lactobacillus Acidophilus was found during a study of infant feces conducted by Dr Ernst Moro. There has been a great deal of research over the past century that has indicated there are several significant health benefits achieved by individuals that ingest products and supplements containing L. acidophilus.
What Can It Be Used For?
Lactinex can be used on a regular basis to help restore the normal balance of intestinal bacteria in the gut and other parts of the body. This supplement can help alleviate symptoms associated with diarrhea and other stomach problems. When used on a more regular basis, Lactinex can help regulate your bowel movements, improve your digestive process and increase the amount of nutrients that your body is able to absorb from the food that you’re eating.
There is also a vast population of beneficial bacteria in the female vagina. When this bacterial balance is no longer stable, this can result in issues like bacterial vaginosis. A very safe and natural way to replenish these bacteria so that symptoms subside, Lactinex is gentle and safe. It’s also free of any harmful additives or artificial ingredients.
Studies on Lactinex
To date, BD Lactinex has not been approved by the FDA as a method of treating any disease. It also should not be substituted in place of any prescription medications. A number of studies have been performed on Lactinex, determining its efficacy for a variety of conditions. It has shown to be extremely beneficial for treating diarrhea caused by the use of antibiotics such as amoxicillin. Lactobacillus-based probiotics have actually been used predominantly to replace missing bacteria from the gut microbiome after the use of antibiotics, to treat the commonly experienced antimicrobial-associated diarrhea. Many doctors recommend consuming probiotic-rich yogurt and dairy products to replace these lost bacteria. Not many studies have been done on supplements that claim to replace the need for these foods, but Lactinex is one that has been looked at in pretty substantial detail. In some cases, it showed promise, while others didn’t result in an outcome that was quite as favorable.
What Forms Does Lactinex Come In?
Lactinex can be found in both capsule and tablet form, as well as a vaginal suppository. If you opt for the chewable tablet, you must make sure that the product is chewed completely before it is swallowed. You should follow it up with a full glass of water, or some other liquid. The capsule is typically delayed release, to prevent the capsule from breaking down too early in the digestive process. This would result in much of the bacteria dying before it could repopulate your gut microbiome. The delayed release design should be swallowed whole. Do not chew the product or break it up before swallowing.
If you miss a dose of Lactinex, you should take it as soon as you realize what happened. If you’re very close to taking your next dose, you’ll want to skip the missed dose. Just pick back up with your next dose, staying on schedule moving forward. Never take a double dose of Lactinex to make up for the amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus that was missed.
What Are the Side Effects You Should Know About?
During the first two weeks of starting a probiotic supplement, many people experience an increase in stomach gas. This is caused by a shift in the gut microbiota. Luckily, this gas (and any other similar side effects) will usually go away after that two-week adjustment period. It’s important to keep up with your consumption of Lactinex, unless you’re experiencing severe stomach pain associated with gas, itching, swelling, high fever, chills, persistent diarrhea or a chronic side effect that is making you very uncomfortable. In these cases, you’ll want to contact your doctor to let them know what’s going on. Many times, Lactinex will be recommended to you by your doctor, knowing that the benefits will far outweigh the risk of any side effects that you may experience.
It’s uncommon for people to experience an allergic reaction to Lactinex or the ingredients in this product but watch out for symptoms that appear shortly after taking this supplement. This includes trouble breathing, dizziness, rash and swelling on the face, tongue or throat.
Warnings & Precautions
Prior to taking Lactinex, you should follow all of the directions that are included on the product label or with the included packaging. If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition, allergy or disease, make sure that you check with your doctor to ensure that there isn’t any kind of potential interaction that you should be concerned with. Avoid taking Lactinex if you have short bowel syndrome or have a weakened immune system. Lactinex can result in a shift in your immune response, based on the close relationship between the gut microbiome and the body’s immune system function. Check with a doctor if you are currently pregnant or breast feeding.
Is Lactinex FDA-Approved?
Lactinex has not currently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to be used as a treatment for any disease, and it is not a substitute for prescription medication provided to you by your doctor. This is an over-the-counter supplement that is often considered to be an herbal option for better GI health and overall health. Lactinex contains a strain of probiotics that can create a more normal bacterial balance in the gut, which will then aide in digestion, diarrhea and to reduce symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
Interactions
Probiotics are very safe, and generally don’t cause an interaction with medications. However, certain antifungal products are the exception, such as clotrimazole, ketoconazole, griseofulvin and nystatin. If you’re taking Lactinex to help replenish bacteria that is eliminated while taking an antibiotic, you are free to take both products at the same time. This can help prevent any unpleasant side effects that are commonly experienced by people using antibiotics for an extended length of time (diarrhea, upset stomach, gas).
Dosage for Adults
The method of administering Lactinex will depend on what form of the product you have obtained. If you have received the chewable tablet, you’ll take one tablet each day. You can take this supplement with or without food. Just make sure that you chew it completely before you swallow it down. Follow your tablet down with a glass of water or juice to make sure it will be fully absorbed. Chewable Lactinex usually comes in a bottle of 50 tablets. There are also packets of Lactinex granules, and those come in 12 individual packs in one single carton.
If you are taking the delayed release capsule design of Lactinex, you’ll take one capsule every 24 hours. You can take it with or without food. Make sure that you drink a full glass of water or some other beverage to help the capsule break down once it reaches the proper point in your GI tract. This will also aid in absorption, so the probiotics can have a positive effect. A company can only guarantee a certain number of bacteria in a product at the point of manufacture.
Lactinex contains a CFU count of 1,000,000 CFU per tablet and 100,000,000 CFU per packet.
Some children may be able to use Lactinex to improve their gut microbiome, but you’ll need to consult with a medical professional to determine what a safe dosage would be based on their age, weight, etc.
Conclusion
Approximately 400 different bacteria exist in the colon at any given time, each of which will provide the body with many health benefits. We rely on a diverse microbiome to help us fight back against pathogens and disease. Beneficial bacteria can ensure we properly digest the meals that we’re eating, allowing our bodies to reap the benefit of all the nutrients that are included. Probiotics can even help improve our mood, thanks to the gut-brain relationship that exists. There are studies that have determined probiotics such as Lactinex, have the potential to boost mood and cognitive function, while also lowering feelings of stress and anxiety.
Lactinex is just one of many probiotic supplements on the market these days, providing you with access to the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus. While Lactobacillus acidophilus is naturally found in the intestines, colon and gut, levels will rise and fall based on a number of factors. The goal is to supplement if you suspect that you don’t have a versatile enough microbiome. You should never take more than 1 to 2 billion CFUs of L. acidophilus per day. This could lead to side effects that would be counterproductive, such as diarrhea, gas, nausea and an upset stomach.
We’re seeing a large increase in the number of medical professionals that are recommending the use of probiotics to their patients each day. Though, we have known for hundreds of years the positive impact that beneficial bacteria can have on the body, as long as the administration is within a certain threshold. Lactinex offers promise for people who are suffering from GI issues like diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. It can also be beneficial for skin conditions like eczema, to improve the body’s natural immune response and to improve one’s mood.
