Lactobacillus crispatus is one of the most commonly found bacteria in the vaginal canal. L. crispatus may be most helpful for its potential impact on the vaginal epithelial cells, which are skin-like surface cells. Studies have found that higher levels of L. crispatus may be associated with less stress in the vaginal epithelial cells and better healing of damaged epithelial cells. One study found that L. crispatus may help reduce the ability for candida to adhere to epithelial cells, potentially through an increase in regulatory T-helper molecules and the Th1 cytokine response, both beneficial inflammatory responses by the immune system to foreign invaders.