{"id":8957,"date":"2019-10-16T11:00:33","date_gmt":"2019-10-16T18:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=8957"},"modified":"2021-09-20T09:17:03","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T16:17:03","slug":"l-reuteri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/l-reuteri\/","title":{"rendered":"Potential Benefits of the Lactobacillus reuteri Probiotic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lactobacillus reuteri<\/i> is a well-studied strain of probiotic bacteria. People are using it as a beauty supplement and to increase vitamin D. Although Lactobacillus reuteri<\/i> boasts many purported health benefits, the majority still lack proper evidence. Read on for a breakdown of the science.<\/p>\n

What is Lactobacillus reuteri?<\/i><\/span><\/h2>\n

Overview<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lactobacillus reuteri<\/i> is a strain of lactic acid bacteria that live in the intestines, and occasionally the stomachs, of humans (although not all individuals), other mammals, and birds.<\/p>\n

Its name comes from German microbiologist, Gerhard Reuter, who discovered it in samples of human intestine and feces in the 1960s.<\/p>\n

Different strains of <\/b>Lactobacillus reuteri<\/i><\/b> have been shown to have different physiological effects<\/b>. For example, Lactobacillus reuteri<\/i> DSMZ 17648, trademarked “Pylopass” is used for H. pylori<\/i> (R<\/a>), while Lactobacillus reuteri<\/i> NCIMB 30242<\/a>, trademarked “Microbiome Plus+” is used to address high cholesterol (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

In the 1960s, 30-40 percent <\/b>of the population had Lactobacillus reuteri<\/i> as a part of their microbiome. Today, estimates suggest it is found in only 10-20 percent <\/b>(R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Have in mind that Lactobacillus<\/em> reuteri <\/i>supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use and generally lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for supplements but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Speak with your doctor before supplementing.<\/p>\n

Lactobacillus<\/em> reuteri<\/i> is a probiotic strain of lactic acid bacteria that normally resides in the gut.<\/div><\/div>\n

Snapshot<\/span><\/h3>\n

Proponents<\/b><\/h4>\n
    \n
  • People say it promotes beautiful skin and thick, lustrous hair<\/li>\n
  • May help fight infections<\/li>\n
  • May reduce inflammation and increase beneficial TREGs<\/li>\n
  • May improve gut health (possibly decreasing IBS and IBD symptoms)<\/li>\n
  • May lower cholesterol<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Skeptics<\/b><\/h4>\n
      \n
    • May not be good for those with histamine intolerance<\/li>\n
    • May cause weight gain in some people<\/li>\n
    • Large-scale clinical research lacking<\/li>\n
    • The safety of long-term supplementation is unknown<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Research Limitations<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Most of the research on Lactobacillus reuteri <\/i>was conducted in animals or cells. Clinical studies are sparse, and most of them are low quality, small, or potentially biased. Additionally, the exact strains that were used differ from one study to another.<\/p>\n

      Purported Benefits of Lactobacillus reuteri<\/i><\/span><\/h2>\n

      Remember to speak with a doctor before taking Lactobacillus reuteri <\/i>supplements. Probiotics should never be used as a replacement for approved medical therapies.<\/p>\n