They are invisible to the human eye and yet we could hardly live without them. Lactobacillus, lactic acid bacteria, are an important part of our intestinal flora. They provide a balance there, balance our immune system and thus protect us from infections and diseases.
What are lactobacilli?
Lactobacillus refers to a genus of rod-shaped bacteria, which can be classified in the family Lactobacillaceae. Together with several other bacterial strains, Lactobacillus belongs to the genus of lactic acid bacteria, whose main function is to produce lactic acid by means of fermentation. Most Lactobacillus species are therefore also of considerable importance to the food industry, where they are used to produce a wide variety of dairy products and beer beverages. Lactobacilli are generally harmless to humans, but some species are known pests in beverage production. Here, the formation of lactic acid can lead to undesirable acidification and changes in taste; this applies in particular to beverages such as wine, fruit juices or beer. Lactobacilli cannot be summarized in a uniform group; instead, the individual species are usually assigned to subgroups, which are constantly being expanded as new species are added all the time.
Occurrence, distribution, and characteristics
Lactobacillus is considered a characteristic prototype of a lactic acid bacterium in its physiological appearance. Most species of Lactobacillus are generally rod-shaped, and the cells occur either singly or are arranged in chains. In contrast, a helical or curved appearance also occurs in some variants of Lactobacillus. In addition to milk and other dairy products, some species of Lactobacillus are also found on plants, while still others colonize the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, where they are responsible for the formation of the natural intestinal flora. In particular, Lactobacillus ruminis and Lactobacillus salivarius belong to the fixed components of the human autochthonous intestinal flora. Autochthonous bacteria are those which are permanently detectable in the respective milieu; ruminis and salivarius thus belong to the permanent inhabitants of the intestinal flora. Some species of Lactobacillus are also responsible for the formation of the so-called Döderlein bacteria. These are part of the natural vaginal environment of women and provide the necessary acidic environment here. The low pH value protects the female vagina from pathogens and prevents, for example, an outbreak of vaginal fungus or similar bacterial infections. Some other Lactobacillus species are also native to plant surfaces. They thrive on solid and carbohydrate-containing culture media and can form colonies here.
Importance and function
Certain Lactobacillus species, in addition to their beneficial effects on the female vaginal environment, are said to be of great importance in the prevention or treatment of a wide variety of intestinal diseases as well as some autoimmune disorders. In particular, Lactobacillus helveticus and some other subspecies are said to play a major role in intestinal health and to protect against dangerous pathogens such as EHEC, for example. The intake of the lactic acid bacterium usually takes place via so-called probiotics, milk products such as yogurt, which have been specially enriched with the Lactobacillus. But probiotics are also used in other medical fields. For example, they help to rebuild and rebalance intestinal flora that has been damaged by illness or medication. An intact intestinal flora is not only responsible for regular digestion; in fact, the intestine forms the center of the human immune system. If there is an imbalance here, this can cause widespread health problems. This can cause diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, but also depression. In addition, treatment with lactic acid bacteria is often useful in the gynecological field. Various vaginal infections can often be treated with a lactic acid cure in the early stages; this is especially the case with bacterial vaginosis. In this case, an imbalance in the vaginal environment is responsible for the bacterial infestation, which can often be corrected by the use of high-dose Lactobacillus cultures.Of course, lactic acid bacteria can also be used preventively against vaginal infections; this is particularly recommended after antibiotic therapy, as this can easily disturb the vaginal flora. Also after the treatment of a vaginal fungal infection, a lactic acid cure can help to rebuild the environment weakened by the infection.
Diseases and ailments
Although Lactobacillus species are primarily harmless to humans and are an important link within the digestive chain, even in the case of lactic acid bacteria, some people may experience mild intolerances and even severe allergies. An allergic reaction to Lactobacillus can manifest itself as mild nausea, digestive problems or headaches. In this case, a doctor should be consulted first. If a lactobacillus intolerance is confirmed, probiotic products in particular, which are additionally enriched with lactic acid bacteria cultures, should be avoided. Also sensitive to Lactobacillus are mostly people who suffer from histamine intolerance. Since some types of lactic acid bacteria produce histamine to a high degree, these should also be avoided in the case of a known intolerance. These include, above all, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentii and Lactococcus lactis. In the case of tyramine intolerance, certain Lactobacillus species, which are also mainly found in probiotic products or other concentrates, should also be avoided. These include above all Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus helveticus. In general, the following always applies: Anyone who notices abnormalities or unusual symptoms when consuming foods containing lactobacilli should avoid these products for the time being and consult a doctor. Symptoms of histamine intolerance usually appear a few minutes after the consumption of histamine-containing foods and can affect a wide variety of body regions. Typical symptoms include dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, headache, nausea, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation. In addition, however, skin reactions such as rashes, itching, wheals or tingling may also occur.
