From the Research
The recommended frequency for prescribing Lactobacillus acidophilus capsules is typically once or twice daily, with dosages ranging from 1 billion to 10 billion CFUs per day for adults. For general health maintenance, a single daily dose of 1-2 billion CFUs is often sufficient, while higher doses of 5-10 billion CFUs taken twice daily may be recommended for specific conditions like antibiotic-associated diarrhea or vaginal infections 1. These supplements should ideally be taken with meals to improve survival of the probiotic bacteria through the acidic environment of the stomach.
Key Considerations
- The duration of treatment varies based on the condition being addressed—short-term use of 1-2 weeks may be appropriate for acute conditions, while ongoing daily supplementation might be beneficial for chronic digestive issues or preventive care.
- Probiotic needs are individualized, and some patients may require higher or lower doses based on their specific health conditions.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus works by helping maintain a healthy balance of gut microflora, competing with harmful bacteria for resources, producing antimicrobial substances, and supporting immune function in the intestinal tract 2, 3.
- A human origin strain Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 exhibits superior in vitro probiotic efficacy in comparison to plant or dairy origin probiotics, suggesting the importance of strain specificity in probiotic selection 4.
Dosage and Administration
- For adults, a dosage range of 1 billion to 10 billion CFUs per day is commonly recommended.
- The probiotic should typically contain several billion microorganisms to increase the chance that adequate gut colonization will occur 2.
- Probiotics are generally considered safe and well tolerated, with bloating and flatulence occurring most frequently, but they should be used cautiously in patients who are critically ill or severely immunocompromised 2.