A Bakers Dozen – Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Probiotic Strains

A Monthly Breakdown of Each Starter Strain Selected for Fermentation in Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics

By Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, CCN
Scientific Director, Essential Formulas

Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14
Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 is a strain of probiotic bacteria used worldwide because of its well-documented health benefits.

Several studies have reported that L. acidophilus La-14 enhances the body’s immune system to prevent illnesses in animals and humans.i,ii One of the mechanisms of its immune-enhancing effect is due to a postbiotic metabolite it produces that has natural antibiotic activity against several pathogens.iii

Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 is often used in vaginal products because it has been shown to have activity against vaginal bacteria and candida.iv

Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 is used alone or with other probiotic strains to treat lactose intolerance. People with lactose intolerance cannot digest lactose, a sugar in milk and dairy products. Lactobacillus bacteria produce the enzyme lactase, which metabolizes lactose.v This can be very helpful for people who have difficulty digesting milk and dairy products.vi

L. acidophilus bacteria can also help lower elevated cholesterol levels, which is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risks.vii

 
i Foysal MJ, et al. Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. plantarum improve health status, modulate gut microbiota and innate immune response of marron (Cherax cainii). Sci Rep 2020;10:5916.
ii Artanti D, et al. Effect of giving probiotic supplement Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 as an immunomodulator to maintain a respiratory system in Mus musculus. Iran J Microbiol. 2021 Jun;13(3):381-388.
iii Todorov SD, et al. Bacteriocin production and drug resistance are advantageous features for Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, a potential probiotic strain. New Microbiol. 2011 Oct;34(4):357-70.
iv Jang SE, et al. Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 Attenuate Gardnerella vaginalis-Infected Bacterial Vaginosis in Mice. Nutrients 2017, 9(6), 531
v Akolkar, SK, et al. Lactase Production from Lactobacillus acidophilus. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 21, 1119–1122 (2005)
vi Montes RG, et al., Effect of milk inoculated with Lactobacillus acidophilus or a yogurt starter culture in lactose-maldigesting children. J Dairy Sci. 1995 Aug;78(8):1657-64.
vii Huang Y and Zheng Y. The probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus reduces cholesterol absorption by downregulating Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 in Caco-2 cells. Br J Nutr. 2010 Feb;103(4):473-8.