Clinical Efficacy of Dds - 1 Lactobacillus Acidophilus

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this white paper is to present a comprehensive review of literature regarding the clinical and laboratory evidence behind Lactobacillus acidophilus on supporting health, with a focus on the DDS-1 strain. Discovered in 1959, the DDS-1 strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus has been used in numerous laboratory, animal, and human clinical studies, and has been shown to have a positive effect on digestion, immune function, and skin conditions. REVIEW: The human gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome consists of up to 500 different species that live in symbiosis with humans, providing nutrients, aiding in digestion, and supporting increased immunity. This white paper reviews the role of the microflora and the path to development of commercially available probiotics. Lactobacillus is a genus of bacteria found naturally in the bowel and known for its sugar fermenting properties. Lactobacillus is also a common component of many probiotic formulations. Bacteriology of the L. acidophilus species is discussed, particularly the variability of different strains of L. acidophilus in terms of efficacy and ability to colonize the GI tract. The DDS1 strain of L. acidophilus is a unique strain that has been shown in human studies to successfully colonize the GI tract. Many studies show many potential health benefits including inhibition of pathogenic bacteria and support for antibioticassociated diarrhea. The DDS-1 strain of L. acidophilus has also been shown in a randomized clinical trial to support improved GI symptoms in response to a lactose challenge. Longitudinal comparison between the DDS-1 group and placebo group in this study demonstrated statistically significant reductions in abdominal symptom scores during the 6-hour Lactose Challenge at week 4 for diarrhea (p=0.033), abdominal cramping (p=0.012), vomiting (p=0.0002), and overall symptom score (p=0.037). Laboratory and human studies have also shown a potential link between DDS-1 consumption and immune health. Safety studies demonstrate no significant adverse events among non-immunocompromised healthy adults. DDS-1 has been shown to reduce the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in young children. CONCLUSIONS: L. acidophilus is a species of bacteria shown in clinical studies to support improved GI symptoms among those with lactose intolerance. Several strains of L. acidophilus exist, many of which lack any clinical evidence of gastrointestinal colonization or clinical efficacy. The DDS-1 strain of L. acidophilus, manufactured by Nebraska Cultures, is a probiotic that has been demonstrated to successfully colonize the colonic mucosa as well as reduce common symptoms related to lactose intolerance including diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting. BACTERIOLOGY, COLONIZATION, AND CLINICAL EFFICACY OF DDS-1 LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS