Rankings / Immune & Inflammation
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Immune & Inflammation · Probiotic strain (lactic acid bacterium)
Tier B
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Lactobacillus acidophilus as B (6.8/10) based on moderate evidence, low-moderate benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Single-strain L.
Typical use: 1-10 billion CFU/day; strain specificity matters — NCFM, La-5, DDS-1 are the better-characterized strains — OTC.
What this is
Single-strain L. acidophilus is the historical 'yogurt' strain. Modern probiotic data is mostly strain-specific — LGG (rhamnosus) and Saccharomyces boulardii outperform acidophilus for AAD/C. difficile. Still reasonable as a baseline daily probiotic. Vaginal health data (often with crispatus or rhamnosus alongside) is the cleanest indication. See also: Probiotics (multi-strain).
Mechanism
Homofermentative Lactobacillus; produces lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide that suppress pathogenic overgrowth; adheres to intestinal epithelium; modulates Th1/Th17/Treg balance; bile-salt-hydrolase activity contributes to modest cholesterol reduction
Dose & route
1-10 billion CFU/day; strain specificity matters — NCFM, La-5, DDS-1 are the better-characterized strains
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28121747/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29980131/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24299712/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Lactobacillus acidophilus work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Lactobacillus acidophilus as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as low-moderate, producing an overall grade of B (6.8/10). Single-strain L.
- Is Lactobacillus acidophilus safe?
- Lactobacillus acidophilus has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Lactobacillus acidophilus?
- 1-10 billion CFU/day; strain specificity matters — NCFM, La-5, DDS-1 are the better-characterized strains
- How does Lactobacillus acidophilus work?
- Homofermentative Lactobacillus; produces lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide that suppress pathogenic overgrowth; adheres to intestinal epithelium; modulates Th1/Th17/Treg balance; bile-salt-hydrolase activity contributes to modest cholesterol reduction
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.