Lactobacillus Reuteri

    Researchedby:
    Kamal Patel
    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    Lactobacillus reuteri is a species of probiotic bacteria. It may provide some benefits for cholesterol levels, reducing H. pylori levels (the pathogenic bacterium which contributes to ulcers), female urinary tract and vaginal health, and infant gastrointestinal health.

    Lactobacillus Reuteri is most often used for Gut Health. The Examine Database covers Infantile Colic, High Cholesterol, and 11 other conditions and goals.

    1,816 participants in 20 trials and 1 meta-analysis

    Summary

    Lactobacillus reuteri (now renamed to Limosilactobacillus reuteri) is a species of bacteria that belongs to one of the major lactic-acid producing genera of bacteria. It can be found in the human intestinal tract, though not always and often in relatively low numbers. Lactobacillus reuteri is also found in the gut of other mammals and birds.

    Initially, Lactobacillus reuteri was used to treat necrotizing colitis, a gastrointestinal disease characterized by infection and inflammation that is particularly dangerous for infants, particularly those born prematurely. Lactobacillus reuteri was used due to its anti-inflammatory effects. The research on Lactobacillus reuteri and necrotizing colitis used the Lactobacillus reuteri strains ATCC 55730 and its daughter strain DSM 17938, both of which can survive oral supplementation.

    Interest in Lactobacillus reuteri grew after research confirmed that changing aspects of the digestive system can influence the immune system. A strain of Lactobacillus reuteri called ATCC PTA 6475 has been found to improve levels of testosterone and oxytocin, as well as skin quality in animal studies. Research on animals has also found potential benefits for hair quality, bone mass and preventing weight gain from obesity-causing diets.

    One of the ways Lactobacillus reuteri may work involves a kind of T cell called a Treg cell (a T cell that down-REGulates the immune system in part by producing a cytokine called IL-10). Lactobacillus reuteri increases the amount of Treg cells in the body, which suppresses the actions of another kind of T cell called a Th17 cell (which secretes IL-17). Preserving or reversing this process (either by increasing IL-10 or by blocking IL-17) appears to provide therapeutic benefits.

    Lactobacillus reuteri increases the number of Treg cells in the intestines, which can then be absorbed back into the blood to benefit the rest of the body.

    What are other names for Lactobacillus Reuteri

    Note that Lactobacillus Reuteri is also known as:
    • ATCC PTA 6475
    • ATCC 55730
    • DSM 17938
    • NCIMB 30242
    • Limosilactobacillus reuteri
    Lactobacillus Reuteri should not be confused with:

    Dosage information

    Certain strains of Lactobacillus reuteri are more appropriate for supplementation than others. Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730, DSM 17938, and ATCC 6475 are all known to survive oral supplementation, even without an enteric capsule.

    Research doses of Lactobacillus reuteri are in the range of 1x10^9 to 1x10^11 (one billion to one hundred billion) colony-forming units (CFU) taken over the course of a day. Both single doses and multiple split doses per day have been found to be effective, though further research is needed to determine whether one is more effective than the other.

    At least one study suggests that supplementing Lactobacillus reuteri every other day is just as effective as daily dosing.

    Lactobacillus reuteri can be taken with food. Don’t take Lactobacillus reuteri with a hot beverage to allow for the survival of the bacteria.

    Once supplementation is stopped, intestinal colonization will start to revert to normal. Further research is needed to establish the exact time frame, but it has been observed to occur between half a week to one month after supplementation is stopped. The actual time may depend on whether supplementation took place over the long term or the short term.

    Examine Database: Lactobacillus Reuteri

    Research FeedRead all studies

    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. Heart Rate - Jones ML, Martoni CJ, Di Pietro E, Simon RR, Prakash SEvaluation of clinical safety and tolerance of a Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 supplement capsule: a randomized control trialRegul Toxicol Pharmacol.(2012 Jul)
    2. Apolipoprotein B - Jones ML, Martoni CJ, Parent M, Prakash SCholesterol-lowering efficacy of a microencapsulated bile salt hydrolase-active Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 yoghurt formulation in hypercholesterolaemic adultsBr J Nutr.(2012 May)
    3. Apolipoprotein B - Jones ML, Martoni CJ, Prakash SCholesterol lowering and inhibition of sterol absorption by Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242: a randomized controlled trialEur J Clin Nutr.(2012 Nov)
    4. Plasma Vitamin D - Jones ML, Martoni CJ, Prakash SOral supplementation with probiotic L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 increases mean circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trialJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2013 Jul)
    5. Triglycerides - Wolf BW, Wheeler KB, Ataya DG, Garleb KASafety and tolerance of Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation to a population infected with the human immunodeficiency virusFood Chem Toxicol.(1998 Dec)
    6. Infant crying - Sung V, Collett S, de Gooyer T, Hiscock H, Tang M, Wake MProbiotics to prevent or treat excessive infant crying: systematic review and meta-analysisJAMA Pediatr.(2013 Dec)
    7. Infant crying - Sung V, Hiscock H, Tang ML, Mensah FK, Nation ML, Satzke C, Heine RG, Stock A, Barr RG, Wake MTreating infant colic with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: double blind, placebo controlled randomised trialBMJ.(2014 Apr 1)
    8. Infant crying - Savino F, Cordisco L, Tarasco V, Palumeri E, Calabrese R, Oggero R, Roos S, Matteuzzi DLactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in infantile colic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialPediatrics.(2010 Sep)
    9. Infant crying - Indrio F, Di Mauro A, Riezzo G, Civardi E, Intini C, Corvaglia L, Ballardini E, Bisceglia M, Cinquetti M, Brazzoduro E, Del Vecchio A, Tafuri S, Francavilla RProphylactic use of a probiotic in the prevention of colic, regurgitation, and functional constipation: a randomized clinical trialJAMA Pediatr.(2014 Mar)
    10. Infant crying - Francesco Savino, Emanuela Pelle, Elisabetta Palumeri, Roberto Oggero, Roberto MinieroLactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection Strain 55730) versus simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic: a prospective randomized studyPediatrics.(2007 Jan)
    11. Infant crying - Roos S, Dicksved J, Tarasco V, Locatelli E, Ricceri F, Grandin U, Savino F454 pyrosequencing analysis on faecal samples from a randomized DBPC trial of colicky infants treated with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938PLoS One.(2013)
    12. Infant crying - Szajewska H, Gyrczuk E, Horvath ALactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 for the management of infantile colic in breastfed infants: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialJ Pediatr.(2013 Feb)
    13. Lung Function - del Campo R, Garriga M, Pérez-Aragón A, Guallarte P, Lamas A, Máiz L, Bayón C, Roy G, Cantón R, Zamora J, Baquero F, Suárez LImprovement of digestive health and reduction in proteobacterial populations in the gut microbiota of cystic fibrosis patients using a Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic preparation: a double blind prospective studyJ Cyst Fibros.(2014 Dec)
    14. Immunity - Mangalat N, Liu Y, Fatheree NY, Ferris MJ, Van Arsdall MR, Chen Z, Rahbar MH, Gleason WA, Norori J, Tran DQ, Rhoads JMSafety and tolerability of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and effects on biomarkers in healthy adults: results from a randomized masked trialPLoS One.(2012)
    15. Immunoglobulin A - Ericson D, Hamberg K, Bratthall G, Sinkiewicz-Enggren G, Ljunggren LSalivary IgA response to probiotic bacteria and mutans streptococci after the use of chewing gum containing Lactobacillus reuteriPathog Dis.(2013 Aug)
    16. TNF-Alpha - Di Nardo G, Oliva S, Menichella A, Pistelli R, De Biase RV, Patriarchi F, Cucchiara S, Stronati LLactobacillus reuteri ATCC55730 in cystic fibrosisJ Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.(2014 Jan)
    17. Diarrhea Symptoms - Cimperman L, Bayless G, Best K, Diligente A, Mordarski B, Oster M, Smith M, Vatakis F, Wiese D, Steiber A, Katz JA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in hospitalized adultsJ Clin Gastroenterol.(2011 Oct)
    18. Allergic Disease Risk - Abrahamsson TR, Jakobsson T, Björkstén B, Oldaeus G, Jenmalm MCNo effect of probiotics on respiratory allergies: a seven-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial in infancyPediatr Allergy Immunol.(2013 Sep)
    19. Fecal Weight - Coccorullo P, Strisciuglio C, Martinelli M, Miele E, Greco L, Staiano ALactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) in infants with functional chronic constipation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studyJ Pediatr.(2010 Oct)
    20. Helicobacter Pylori Infection Signs - Francavilla R, Lionetti E, Castellaneta SP, Magistà AM, Maurogiovanni G, Bucci N, De Canio A, Indrio F, Cavallo L, Ierardi E, Miniello VLInhibition of Helicobacter pylori infection in humans by Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 and effect on eradication therapy: a pilot studyHelicobacter.(2008 Apr)
    21. Helicobacter Pylori Infection Signs - Heidrun Mehling, Andreas BusjahnNon-viable Lactobacillus reuteri DSMZ 17648 (Pylopass™) as a new approach to Helicobacter pylori control in humansNutrients.(2013 Aug 2)