lactobacillus - friend or foe?

Lactobacillus — Friend or Foe? Exploring the Overgrowth Problem with Chip Paul

Written by: Charles Paul

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Published on

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Time to read 8 min

The Probiotic Everyone Thinks Is Good… But Isn’t Always


Lactobacillus is one of the most marketed probiotics in the world — found in yogurt, supplements, and even personal care products. But what if we told you that for many people, Lactobacillus is not helping... it's hurting?


In S5E25 of Chip Talks Health , Chip Paul dives into what he's seen over and over in thousands of bioresonance scans: Lactobacillus overgrowth — especially in women. This isn’t just a rare issue. It’s common. And it’s often overlooked in the gut health conversation.

Summary: Key Takeaways from This Episode

Lactobacillus is not always beneficial — especially in cases of overgrowth.

Overgrowth symptoms include bloating, brain fog, histamine intolerance, and fatigue.

Women are especially at risk , particularly those under stress, on birth control, or post-antibiotic use.

Probiotics and fermented foods may worsen symptoms in compromised terrain.

Overgrowth is commonly found in cases of type 2 diabetes, obesity, fatty liver , and autoimmune issues.

Bioresonance scans at Neighborly Wellness frequently detect this pattern.

The best place to start support is the Gut Harmony: Upper GI Bundle .

Diet, ECS support, and antimicrobial tools like Gut Restore and Metabolic Balance are essential.

🎧 Watch, Listen, or Read:

🗝 Episode Summary — Key Points by Timestamp


We’ve been told Lactobacillus is good — but in this episode, Chip Paul reveals how this common probiotic becomes a problem in the wrong terrain.

Learn why so many women are dealing with Lactobacillus overgrowth, what bioresonance scans reveal, and how to truly support your microbiome without feeding the problem.


00:00 – 00:02
Chip introduces today’s topic: Lactobacillus acidophilus, a common probiotic found in most supplements, which can become problematic when it overgrows.

00:02 – 00:04
Overview of Lactobacillus as a gram-positive, facultative anaerobe that thrives in oxygen-rich or oxygen-poor environments — making it a hardy organism in the gut and beyond.

00:04 – 00:07
Overgrowth locations include the small intestine, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, and even the rectum. It’s a major cause of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).

00:07 – 00:10
Overgrowth symptoms: bloating, brain fog, dizziness, anxiety, histamine intolerance, and biofilm formation — often seen alongside H. pylori and helminths.

00:10 – 00:14
Foods that promote overgrowth: alcohol, sugar, processed foods, fermented foods, and some prebiotics (like inulin). Even moderate alcohol intake fuels overgrowth.

00:14 – 00:17
Foods and strategies that suppress overgrowth: digestive bitters, garlic, oregano, fasting, polyphenols (green tea, olive oil), and acid-boosting diets.

00:17 – 00:19
Lactobacillus overgrowth is a blind spot in modern medicine, often missed in standard testing. Probiotic use without knowledge of current microbiome balance can worsen symptoms.

00:19 – 00:22
Impacts on health include associations with type 2 diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, IBS, and autoimmune triggers. Overgrowth disrupts terrain and promotes immune confusion.

00:22 – 00:25
TrueMedX solutions recommended:

Lactobacillus Overgrowth? What Your Gut Is Really Telling You | Chip Talks Health S5E25

Full Podcast Audio

Full Transcript

Hello, everyone, and welcome to another exciting version of Chip Talks Health.


How many of you guys out there take probiotics? Is that a good thing? Are they helpful?


We're going to talk a little bit about a major player that's in almost every single probiotic that you take — a bacteria called Lactobacillus acidophilus. This guy is supposed to be helpful. He's meant to be a beneficial microbiome bacteria. But it turns out, when he overgrows, he can cause quite a bit of problems.


Today we're going to talk about Lactobacillus acidophilus and what happens when he overgrows.


Normally, he's a good guy. As bacteria go, he's what they call a gram-positive bacteria, which means he has a peptidoglycan cell wall. He’s also facultative anaerobic, meaning he can thrive with or without oxygen. That makes him a tough bug — able to live almost anywhere in the body.


He’s meant to exist in your gut biome and help you digest food. But if he gets out of bounds? Problems.



When Lactobacillus Helps

  • Produces lactic acid (similar to what muscles release during exercise)

  • Helps keep pH low in the gut, which suppresses harmful bacteria

  • Assists in digesting lactose (milk sugar)

  • Part of the vaginal biome — may help lower pH to protect against infections

  • Stimulates parts of the immune system

  • Competes with Candida, Salmonella, and E. coli in some settings



When Lactobacillus Turns Harmful

  • Overgrows in the small intestine → SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)

  • Persists in the stomach, esophagus, gallbladder, pancreas, and rectum

  • Worsens with antibiotics, alcohol, and excess probiotics

  • Just 1–2 drinks a week can promote this overgrowth


During overgrowth, he:

  • Produces D-lactic acid — a neurotoxin

  • Contributes to brain fog, dizziness, anxiety

  • Worsens histamine intolerance and food sensitivities

  • Forms biofilms (making it harder to clear infections)

  • Commonly found with H. pylori and helminths (worms)



Health Conditions Associated with Overgrowth

  • Type 2 diabetes: ~60% of cases

  • Obesity: ~70% of people

  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: ~50%

  • Acidosis, histamine intolerance, fatigue, brain fog


This overgrowth likely affects 80–90% of patients seen at Neighborly Wellness — and yet is almost entirely ignored in mainstream medicine.


Many people unknowingly make it worse by self-prescribing probiotics — nearly all of which contain Lactobacillus acidophilus.



What To Do About It

Overgrowth is not your fault — it’s not a lack of willpower. It’s a bug. But you can fix it.


Step 1: Correct Your Terrain

  • Cut sugar, alcohol, and processed food

  • Minimize fermented foods and inulin-based prebiotics

  • Avoid unnecessary probiotics


Step 2: Add Natural Support

  • TrueMedX Gut Restore Tablets – berberine, garlic, antimicrobial support

  • Metabolic Balance – black seed, omega oils, and ECS modulators

  • Gut Restore Tablets – support for pylori and lacto overgrowth


Step 3: Increase Stomach Acid

  • Use apple cider vinegar before meals

  • Try Betaine HCL to help kill overgrowth at the root


Step 4: Try Helpful Foods

  • Bitter greens (dandelion, arugula)

  • Garlic, oregano, ginger

  • Green tea, olive oil

  • Beets, radishes, lemon

  • Intermittent fasting (to reduce fermentation window)



Final Thoughts

Lactobacillus overgrowth is a hidden epidemic, linked to dozens of chronic conditions and immune dysfunction. It's time to shift the way we think about probiotics — and treat root cause terrain imbalances.

“It’s not a willpower problem — it’s a bug. Let’s get after it.” – Chip Paul

We'll see you next week for another exciting episode of Chip Talks Health!


What Is Lactobacillus?


Lactobacillus is a genus of bacteria often labeled as “friendly flora.” It plays a key role in fermentation, gut health, and pH balance — but like any microbe, context is everything.


In a balanced terrain, Lactobacillus can help crowd out bad bacteria and support digestion. But in the wrong conditions — especially when combined with stress, sugar, antibiotics, or hormonal changes — it can dominate , leading to:


  • Yeast infections

  • Urinary tract irritation

  • Brain fog

  • Bloating and inflammation

  • Misdiagnosed gut issues

Overgrowth Red Flags: What Bioresonance Reveals


Through bioresonance scans at Neighborly Wellness, Chip has observed a startling trend:

“In about 80–90% of the women I scan, I see Lactobacillus overgrowth. That’s not normal. That’s a problem.”

This overgrowth often co-occurs with:

  • Elevated histamines

  • ECS (endocannabinoid system) imbalance

  • Immune dysfunction

  • Parasites and fungal terrain


lactobacillus overgrowth red flags


Stress, Hormones, and the Cellular Disconnect


Stress shuts down ECS signaling, leading to:

  • Leaky gut

  • Opportunistic overgrowth

  • Nutrient deficiencies

Women under high stress, on birth control, or post-antibiotics are especially at risk.


“We have to stop treating symptoms with bandaids and start asking — why is this microbe overgrowing in the first place?”


Rethinking Probiotics and Fermented Foods


Fermented foods and probiotics may worsen symptoms if your terrain is already compromised. Symptoms of overgrowth include:

  • Vaginal discharge

  • Bloating

  • Fatigue

  • Brain fog


The Role of the ECS: Your Body’s Master Regulator


A strong ECS supports gut balance, mood, inflammation, and immune control. When it's off, microbes like Lactobacillus can thrive unchecked.

stress hormones and the cellular disconnect
retinking probiotics and fermented foods


What To Do If You Suspect Overgrowth


Step 1: Get a Scan
Bioresonance testing can confirm microbial imbalances.


Step 2: Cut the Fuel
Reduce sugar, alcohol, fermented foods, and high-inulin fiber.


Step 3: Support the Terrain
Targeted tools like:


  • Gut Restore Tablets

  • Metabolic Balance Drops

  • Gut Restore Drops

Step 4: Modulate the ECS
Use adaptogens, omega-3s, and fasting strategies.


👉 Best place to start: Gut Harmony: Upper GI Bundle — designed by Chip Paul specifically for Lactobacillus and upper GI overgrowth.


truemedx gut harmony bundles

Featured Products for Terrain Rebalancing

Take Action: Healing from Lactobacillus Overgrowth

If any part of this episode resonated with you — whether it's the brain fog, gut issues, or the shock of discovering that a "good" bacteria might be behind your symptoms — the good news is: you’re not stuck.


Book a scan today at   NeighborlyWellness.com 
Shop solutions at   TrueMedX.com


🎯 Start with this bundle: Gut Harmony: Upper GI Bundle — includes the exact tools Chip recommends for restoring upper GI balance, reducing microbial dominance, and repairing terrain.

Related Readings

Share the Message


If you know someone who takes probiotics daily or has been struggling with unexplained symptoms — share this episode. It could be the missing link they’ve been searching for.


And don’t forget to subscribe to Chip Talks Health on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for weekly wisdom on healing body, mind, and spirit.

You weren’t born broken — you were born into a broken system. Let's fix it together.

Chip Talks Health

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The Author: Chip Paul - Chip Talks Health

Chip Paul  is a pioneering researcher, educator, and co-founder of TrueMedX and Neighborly Wellness. With decades of experience in natural health innovation, Chip is a leading voice in endocannabinoid system science, functional wellness, and regulatory reform. He authored Oklahoma’s landmark medical cannabis law and holds U.S. Patent 10,646,535 for ECS-based wellness formulations. Through his Chip Talks Health podcast, he helps individuals understand how the body works—and how to support its natural healing potential.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Isn’t Lactobacillus supposed to be a “good” bacteria?

Yes, but only in the right amounts and right locations. When it overgrows, it can cause major gut and immune issues.

What attire is best for practicing yoga?

Opt for stretchy, breathable fabrics. Yoga pants, fitted tees, or tank tops work great.

What causes Lactobacillus overgrowth?

Antibiotics, excess probiotics, alcohol, sugar, stress, and ECS dysfunction all play a role.

Can I still eat yogurt or fermented foods?

Not during overgrowth. You may reintroduce them slowly once terrain is balanced.

How do I know if I have this overgrowth?

Schedule a bioresonance scan at Neighborly Wellness to confirm.

What bundle should I start with?

Chip recommends the Gut Harmony: Upper GI Bundle for this exact issue.

Are probiotics harmful for everyone?

No — but taking them without knowing your terrain status can make things worse.

Is this treatable naturally?

Yes! With targeted support, diet adjustments, and ECS modulation, most people experience relief and recovery.