Lactobacillus salivarius, a bacterium that lives in the human mouth, has shown promise for dental health, weight management, immunity, skin health, and other potential benefits. Learn more here.<\/p>\n
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Lactobacillus salivarius<\/em> is one of the most prevalent species in human saliva. It produces organic acids, such as lactic acid<\/a> and acetic acid, from carbohydrates, which can inhibit the growth of surrounding microorganisms. It also produces hydrogen peroxide and other antimicrobial substances (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n This bacterium is believed to stimulate the immune system, improve intestinal disease and promote well-being (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> probiotic supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use. Supplements generally lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for them but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Speak with your doctor before supplementing.<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> beneficially changed the bacterial population of gum plaque in 66 volunteers (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius <\/em>increased resistance to caries<\/strong> risk factors in 64 healthy volunteers (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Oral administration of L. salivarius<\/em> improved bad breath, showed beneficial effects on bleeding on probing from the periodontal pocket, and inhibited the reproduction of \u201cbad\u201d bacteria (R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Periodontal clinical parameters especially improved in smokers (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n However, the authors of one study suggested that L. salivarius<\/em> itself may possess an inherent cariogenic activity following adherence to the tooth surface (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n The following purported benefits are only supported by limited, low-quality clinical studies. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of L. salivarius<\/em> for any of the below-listed uses. Remember to speak with a doctor before taking L. salivarius<\/em> probiotic supplements, and never use them in place of something your doctor recommends or prescribes.<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> increased the ratio of beneficial bacteria<\/strong> (Bacteroides<\/em>, Prevotellae<\/em>, and Porphyromonas<\/em>) to Firmicutes<\/em>-belonging bacteria in obese adolescents (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n 6-week supplementation of L. salivarius<\/em> along with fructooligosaccharide (FOS) significantly reduced total cholesterol<\/strong>, \u201cbad\u201d (LDL<\/a>) cholesterol, and triglycerides<\/a>, and increased \u201cgood\u201d (HDL<\/a>) cholesterol in 45 human subjects. Blood inflammatory markers were also significantly reduced (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Daily administration of L. salivarius<\/em> to 40 healthy adults was safe and improved gut microbiota<\/a> and different parameters related to immune response (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> enhanced both innate and acquired immune responses in human cells (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> improved symptoms in children (R<\/a>, R<\/a>), and adults with atopic dermatitis (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Oral administration of L. salivarius<\/em> during late pregnancy prevented mastitis (breast infection) in 108 women (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n No clinical evidence supports the use of L. salivarius<\/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. salivarius<\/em> produces a bacteriocin, an antimicrobial substance, that can significantly protect mice against infection with the invasive foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes<\/em> (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> suppressed H. pylori<\/em> and reduced infection-induced inflammatory responses in mice (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n This inhibition is strain specific, though, and a study showed that only 9 out of the 28 L. salivarius<\/em> strains tested inhibited H. pylori<\/em> growth (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius <\/em>facilitates the recovery of the inflamed tissue in rat colitis<\/a>, by ameliorating the production of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, including TNF-\u03b1<\/a> and NO (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Treating diabetic mice with dead L. salivarius<\/em> reversed gut microbial imbalance, restored mucosal antibacterial protein and lessened endotoxin<\/a> levels (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Pretreatment with L. salivarius<\/em> improved acute liver injury in rats (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L.<\/em> salivarius<\/em> exerts a good health-promoting effect in acute liver failure (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> decreased the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and showed beneficial immunomodulatory activity in blood cells drawn from asthmatic subjects (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> decreased allergen-induced airway response in mice (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> alleviated the clinical symptoms, airway hyperreactivity and airway inflammation in mice with asthma (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> suppressed colon carcinogenesis in rats (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/em> killed oral cancer cells and inhibits cancer growth in rats (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n The relevance of these studies to human cancer is unknown.<\/p>\n In cell and animal studies, researchers have observed that L. salivarius<\/em>:<\/p>\n A formula containing L. salivarius<\/em> was shown to be safe and well-tolerated in human clinical trials (R<\/a>), including a trial with 6-month-old infants (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/a>Health Benefits of L. salivarius<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Possibly Effective For<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>1) Dental Health<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Insufficient Evidence For<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>2) Obesity<\/h4>\n
<\/a>3) Immunity<\/h4>\n
<\/a>4) Dermatitis<\/h4>\n
<\/a>5) Mastitis<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Animal & Cell Research (Lacking Evidence)<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>6) Antibacterial Activity<\/h4>\n
<\/a>7) H. pylori<\/em><\/h4>\n
<\/a>8) Gut Inflammation<\/h4>\n
<\/a>9) Diabetes<\/h4>\n
<\/a>10) Liver Function<\/h4>\n
<\/a>11) Asthma<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Cancer Research<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Mechanisms<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Safety<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n