The gut microbe L. plantarum is a promising probiotic for diarrhea, high cholesterol, and atopic dermatitis. How does it work, and what other benefits might it have? Learn more here.<\/p>\n
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Lactobacillus plantarum<\/em> is a widespread species of lactic acid<\/a> bacteria. It is commonly found in many fermented plant products such as sauerkraut, pickles, brined olives, and Korean kimchi.<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> is an antioxidant with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity and antidiabetic properties [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> isolated from raw cow’s milk is able to produce B-group vitamins riboflavin<\/a> (B2<\/sub><\/a>) and folate<\/a> (B9<\/sub>) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> can increase iron absorption from a fruit drink in healthy women by approximately 50% [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> can increase iron absorption from an oat base in women by over 100% [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Fermented milk containing L. plantarum<\/em> showed higher calcium<\/a> retention uptake [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum <\/em>probiotic supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use and may lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for them but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. To prevent rare side effects, speak with your doctor before using probiotics.<\/p>\n Lactobacillus<\/em> probiotics have shown a great deal of promise for improving the diarrhea associated with various disorders, including traveler\u2019s diarrhea and antibiotic-associated diarrhea [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a clinical trial of 438 children with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, L. plantarum <\/em>probiotics reduced the incidence of loose or watery stools and abdominal pain, without producing adverse side effects [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In clinical trials, L. plantarum<\/em> significantly increased the skin water content<\/strong> in the face and hands. Volunteers in the probiotic group had a significant reduction in wrinkle depth<\/strong> at week 12, and skin gloss was also significantly improved<\/strong> by week 12. Skin elasticity in the probiotic group improved<\/strong> by 13.17% after 4 weeks and by 21.73% after 12 weeks [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n When taken as a probiotic, L. plantarum<\/em> improved skin hydration has anti-photoaging effects on human skin [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> inhibited the degradation of collagen<\/a> and promotes its synthesis, decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS<\/a>) production [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In hairless mice, L. plantarum<\/em> decreased UVB-induced epidermal thickness, suppressed water loss and increased the ceramide level [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Daily intake of citrus juice containing heat-killed L. plantarum<\/em> alleviates symptoms of atopic dermatitis in humans [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> isolated from Kimchi improves mouse atopic dermatitis [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Lactobacillus<\/em> probiotics have shown promise in reducing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis in multiple clinical trials. A synbiotic blend containing L. plantarum <\/em>in particular significantly improved UC symptoms in 73 patients after 8 weeks [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Lactobacillus <\/em>probiotics have reduced cholesterol in a number of clinical trials. In a study of 60 volunteers with high cholesterol, a probiotic containing L. plantarum<\/em> reduced total cholesterol by 13.6% after 12 weeks [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In rats with diabetes, L. plantarum<\/em> reduces blood triglyceride and \u201cbad\u201d <\/strong>LDL<\/strong><\/a>-cholesterol rates, while increasing the level of \u201cgood\u201d <\/strong>HDL<\/strong><\/a>-cholesterol<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Total serum cholesterol and triglycerides<\/a> were significantly reduced in mice with elevated cholesterol, after ingestion of L. plantarum<\/em> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Double-coated L. plantarum<\/em> lowers cholesterol levels in mice on a high-fat diet [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Researchers are currently investigating whether L. plantarum <\/em>has other health benefits. The potential benefits in this section have produced positive results in at least one clinical trial, but these studies are small, contradictory, or otherwise limited. Talk to your doctor before supplementing with L. plantarum <\/em>for any reason.<\/p>\n A hypocaloric diet supplemented with a probiotic-enriched cheese containing L. plantarum<\/em> reduced the BMI and blood pressure in Russian adults with obesity<\/a> and hypertension [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> also protected mice from diet-induced obesity. This bacterium lowers body weight<\/a>, fat mass, fasting<\/a> blood glucose<\/a>, serum insulin<\/a>, and leptin<\/a> levels and pro-inflammatory markers in obese mice [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> fermented barley reversed glucose intolerance, ameliorated elevated insulin, decreased levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol in rats on a high-fat diet [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> improved the hepatic and urinary functions of obese rats by inducing decreases in alanine aminotransferase<\/a> (ALT<\/a>), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT<\/a>), plasmatic triglycerides, total cholesterol concentrations, creatinine<\/a>, urea<\/a>, and body weight [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> reduced glucose levels<\/strong> in postmenopausal women [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Soy milk containing L. plantarum<\/em> had antioxidant properties and decreased DNA damage among patients with type 2 diabetes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum <\/em>decreased food intake, blood glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin<\/a> level and leptin levels in mice. This bacterium also favorably regulated insulin<\/a> level and increased \u201cgood\u201d (HDL) cholesterol [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> caused a significant reduction of blood glucose levels in response to insulin in mice on a high-fat diet [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Treatment with L. plantarum<\/em> favorably regulates blood glucose, hormones, and lipid metabolism in the diabetic rats [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> significantly improved immunological parameters and protected the pancreatic tissues in rats with diabetes. Furthermore, this probiotic treatment markedly reduced pancreatic and plasmatic lipase<\/a> activities and serum triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol rates and increased the level of HDL-Cholesterol. It also exerted efficient protective effects on the liver and kidney functions [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a small clinical study of 34 people with leg ulcers, topical application of L. plantarum<\/em> reduced infected chronic venous ulcer wound bacterial load, neutrophils<\/a>, apoptotic and necrotic cells, and induced wound healing<\/strong> in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Heat-killed L. plantarum<\/em> decreased the depth of periodontal pockets in patients undergoing supportive periodontal therapy [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a clinical study of 171 adults, L. plantarum<\/em> improved immune activity and decreased stress markers [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Even heat-killed L. plantarum<\/em> activated innate and acquired immunity in humans [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum <\/em>enhanced immunity in the small intestine of immunosuppressed mice [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), oral administration of L. plantarum<\/em> significantly delayed the development of skin lesions in the early phase of infection and reduced the amount of virus in the brain [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Also in mice, L. plantarum<\/em> isolated from the fermented Korean cabbage conferred 100% protection against lethal infection with influenza A viruses, prevented significant weight loss<\/a> and lowered lung viral loads [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a clinical study of 42 adults, citrus juice fermented by L. plantarum<\/em> improved the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a cell study, L. plantarum<\/em> reduced the allergenicity of soy flour [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Oral administration of L. plantarum<\/em> alleviated airway hyperresponsiveness and allergic responses in mice [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), L. plantarum<\/em> reduced vaginal discomfort after conventional treatment and improved vaginal bacteria content and vaginal pH value [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a clinical trial, L. plantarum<\/em> use was associated with a three-fold reduced risk of recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> also kills Candida in the laboratory [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n No clinical evidence supports the use of L. plantarum<\/em> for any of the conditions listed in this section. Below is a summary of the existing animal and cell-based research, which should guide further investigational efforts. However, the studies listed below should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit.<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> alleviates cadmium (Cd) – induced cytotoxicity in human intestinal cells and mice in the laboratory [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> protects against aluminum toxicity in mice, by reducing intestinal aluminum absorption and tissue accumulation, and ameliorating liver damage, kidney, and brain oxidative stress<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Treatment with L. plantarum<\/em> alleviates copper<\/a> toxicity, by increasing copper excretion and reducing the accumulation of copper in tissues. L. plantarum also <\/em>reversed oxidative stress induced by copper exposure, recovered the ALT and AST<\/a> blood levels and improved the spatial memory of mice [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> fermented soymilk extract improves learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia, by acting as a blood pressure-lowering and neuroprotective agent [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Chronic ingestion of L. plantarum<\/em> increased locomotor activity, dopamine<\/a>, and serotonin<\/a> levels while reducing anxiety-like behaviors in mice. It also reduced depression<\/a>-like behaviors, and inflammatory cytokine levels, and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum of mice subjected to early life stress [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> fermented soymilk extract acts as a blood pressure-lowering agent in rats [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Also in rats, blueberries<\/a> fermented with L. plantarum<\/em> lowered blood pressure and improved markers that may indicate the risk of cardiovascular diseases [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from L. plantarum<\/em> inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines and suppresses atherosclerotic plaque inflammation in mice (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/em> significantly decreases the production of proinflammatory cytokines in mice and rats [R<\/a>, R<\/a>]. It also alleviated oxidative stress<\/a> and adrenaline levels [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Treatment of obstructive jaundice in rats with L. plantarum<\/em> returned active liver barrier function [<\/a>Nutritional Benefits<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>B vitamins<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Iron Absorption<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Calcium Absorption<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Potential Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Possibly Effective For<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>1) Diarrhea<\/h4>\n
<\/a>2) Skin Health<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Atopic Dermatitis<\/h5>\n
<\/a>3) Ulcerative Colitis<\/h4>\n
<\/a>4) Cholesterol<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Insufficient Evidence For<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>5) Obesity<\/h4>\n
<\/a>6) Blood Sugar<\/h4>\n
<\/a>7) Wound Healing<\/h4>\n
<\/a>8) Dental Health<\/h4>\n
<\/a>9) Immunity<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Against Viruses<\/h5>\n
<\/a>10) Allergies<\/h4>\n
<\/a>11) Candidiasis<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Animal and Cell Studies (Lacking Evidence)<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>12) Detox<\/h4>\n
<\/a>13) Vascular Dementia<\/h4>\n
<\/a>14) Anxiety<\/h4>\n
<\/a>15) Cardiovascular Health<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Blood Pressure<\/h5>\n
<\/a>Atherosclerosis<\/h5>\n
<\/a>16) Inflammation<\/h4>\n
<\/a>17) Liver Health<\/h4>\n