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Bacteria

Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus is a group of rod-shaped lactic acid bacteria found in the gut, mouth and vagina and in fermented foods. In 2020 many of its species were moved into new genera.

Gut HealthImmune Support

Can a strain help with IBS bloating?

In a four-week placebo-controlled trial involving 214 people with irritable bowel syndrome, L. plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) reduced abdominal pain and bloating. This supports investigating that strain for those symptoms; it does not establish the same benefit for every Lactobacillus capsule. 1

Bloating & gas reliefToo little evidence

A positive short trial supports this specific strain, with limited grounds for generalization. 1

What about constipation?

A randomized study of 163 people with chronic constipation found more complete spontaneous bowel movements with L. plantarum P9 than placebo. The 42-day study used 100 billion colony-forming units daily. Changes in stool microbes and metabolites accompanied the improvement, but do not by themselves explain why it occurred. 2

ConstipationToo little evidence

P9 has a promising strain-specific trial; lasting benefit needs further study. 2

Does the cause of diarrhea matter?

Yes. Reviews support certain strains, including L. rhamnosus GG, for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, especially in children. Acute infectious diarrhea is a different question: better-quality studies have sometimes found no benefit, and European pediatric recommendations for selected strains are weak, with low or very low certainty. 3

DiarrheaMixed

Results differ by cause, age and strain. 3

Can Lactobacillus reduce respiratory symptoms?

In 109 adults, a 12-week placebo-controlled trial of L. plantarum DR7 at 1 billion colony-forming units daily found fewer upper respiratory infections at four weeks and shorter nasal symptoms at twelve weeks. Immune-marker changes offer a possible explanation, not proof of broad protection against infections. 4

Immune SupportToo little evidence

An encouraging DR7 trial does not establish a benefit for other strains. 4

Does everyone need a daily probiotic?

The German consumer authority notes that an additional health benefit of microorganism supplements has not been established for healthy people. That uncertainty is distinct from the results of trials targeting a particular symptom or condition. 5

Effects by health goal

Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.

Gut Health4 effects

Microbiome healthGut HealthStrongA3 studies
Gut microbiome and human health: Exploring how the probiotic genus Lactobacillus modulate immune responses2022Recipe for a Healthy Gut: Intake of Unpasteurised Milk Is Associated with Increased Lactobacillus Abundance in the Human Gut Microbiome2020Anti-Infective Activities of Lactobacillus Strains in the Human Intestinal Microbiota: from Probiotics to Gastrointestinal Anti-Infectious Biotherapeutic Agents2014

Rated by SuppCo · high confidenceEvidence record

Gut healthModerateA3 studies
Lactobacillus reuteri in digestive system diseases: focus on clinical trials and mechanisms2023Lactobacillus and intestinal diseases: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications.2022Gut microbiome and human health: Exploring how the probiotic genus Lactobacillus modulate immune responses2022

Rated by SuppCo · high confidenceEvidence record

Bloating & gas reliefGut HealthModerateA3 studies
The effects of Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 on functional gas and bloating in adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study2023Clinical trial: Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.2012Probiotic Bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 Versus Placebo for the Symptoms of Bloating in Patients With Functional Bowel Disorders: A Double-blind Study2011

Rated by SuppCo · high confidenceEvidence record

Digestive sensitivityGut HealthModerateBNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

Other effects2 effects

DiarrheaStrongA3 studies
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Lactobacillus acidophilus for Treating Acute Gastroenteritis in Children2022Effectiveness of Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus for the management of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial2016Lactobacillus therapy for acute infectious diarrhea in children: a meta-analysis.2002

Rated by SuppCo · high confidenceEvidence record

ConstipationModerateA3 studies
Effect of the probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9, on chronic constipation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.2023Lactobacillus casei Strain Shirota Alleviates Constipation in Adults by Increasing the Pipecolinic Acid Level in the Gut2019Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) in infants with functional chronic constipation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.2010

Rated by SuppCo · high confidenceEvidence record

All studies

17 publications are linked to Lactobacillus, newest first.

Lactobacillus reuteri in digestive system diseases: focus on clinical trials and mechanisms2023The effects of Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 on functional gas and bloating in adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study2023Effect of the probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9, on chronic constipation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.2023Gut microbiome and human health: Exploring how the probiotic genus Lactobacillus modulate immune responses2022A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Lactobacillus acidophilus for Treating Acute Gastroenteritis in Children2022Lactobacillus and intestinal diseases: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications.2022Meta-Analysis: Randomized Trials of Lactobacillus plantarum on Immune Regulation Over the Last Decades2021Recipe for a Healthy Gut: Intake of Unpasteurised Milk Is Associated with Increased Lactobacillus Abundance in the Human Gut Microbiome2020The immune regulatory role of Lactobacillus acidophilus: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2020Lactobacillus casei Strain Shirota Alleviates Constipation in Adults by Increasing the Pipecolinic Acid Level in the Gut2019Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 improved upper respiratory tract infections via enhancing immune and inflammatory parameters: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.2019Effectiveness of Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus for the management of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial2016Anti-Infective Activities of Lactobacillus Strains in the Human Intestinal Microbiota: from Probiotics to Gastrointestinal Anti-Infectious Biotherapeutic Agents2014Clinical trial: Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.2012Probiotic Bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 Versus Placebo for the Symptoms of Bloating in Patients With Functional Bowel Disorders: A Double-blind Study2011Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) in infants with functional chronic constipation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.2010Lactobacillus therapy for acute infectious diarrhea in children: a meta-analysis.2002

Sources

  3. Probiotics: Health Professional Fact Sheet NIH Office of Dietary Supplements