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Dr. Grey AI

Supplement

Lactobacillus reuteri

Lactobacillus reuteri is a probiotic bacterium that lives naturally in the gut, where it helps shape the microbe community. People mainly look at it for acute diarrhea from gastroenteritis, where the evidence is strong, and trials also found babies with colic cried less and H. pylori outcomes improved. The colic and H. pylori findings came from small or moderate studies and the evidence is moderate, while blood sugar and cholesterol showed no clear difference.

Sources: PMID 37962097; PMID 38846173

Best evidence
Grade B
Conditions studied
21
Outcomes
89
Graded outcomes
0555

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

21 conditions

Infantile Colic

Infantile Colic: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Infant crying

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect8 studies323 people

Studies that measured infant crying

Constipation Signs and Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect468 people

Infantile Colic

Infantile Colic: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Infant crying

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect8 studies323 people

Studies that measured infant crying

Constipation Signs and Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect468 people

H. Pylori Infection

  • Helicobacter Pylori Infection Signs: improves
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms: improves
H. Pylori Infection: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Helicobacter Pylori Infection Signs

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect3 studies1,087 people

Studies that measured helicobacter pylori infection signs

Gastrointestinal symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect396 people

H. Pylori Infection

  • Gastrointestinal symptoms: improves
  • Helicobacter Pylori Infection Signs: improves
H. Pylori Infection: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Gastrointestinal symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect396 people
Helicobacter Pylori Infection SignsImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies1,087 people

Studies that measured helicobacter pylori infection signs

Digestive Health

  • Constipation Signs and Symptoms: improves
  • Infant crying: improves
  • Immunity: improves
Digestive Health: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Constipation Signs and Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect468 people
Infant cryingImproves (the measure goes up)8 studies468 people

Studies that measured infant crying

ImmunityImproves (the measure goes up)1 study31 people

Studies that measured immunity

Lung FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)1 study30 people

Studies that measured lung function

TNF-AlphaImproves (the measure goes down)1 study30 people

Studies that measured tnf-alpha

Interleukin 1-betaImproves (the measure goes down)30 people
Interleukin 10Improves (the measure goes up)30 people
Interleukin 6Improves (the measure goes down)30 people
Interleukin 8Changes; see studies30 people
Lipid AbsorptionImproves (the measure goes up)30 people
Lymphocyte CountImproves (the measure goes up)31 people
Monocyte CountImproves (the measure goes up)31 people
WeightImproves (the measure goes down)30 people

Constipation

  • Constipation Signs and Symptoms: improves
  • Fecal Weight: improves
Constipation: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Constipation Signs and Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect44 people
Fecal WeightImproves (the measure goes down)1 study44 people

Studies that measured fecal weight

Cystic Fibrosis

  • Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms: improves
  • Lung Function: improves
  • TNF-Alpha: improves
Cystic Fibrosis: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect120 people
Lung FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)1 study60 people

Studies that measured lung function

TNF-AlphaImproves (the measure goes down)1 study60 people

Studies that measured tnf-alpha

Interleukin 8Changes; see studies60 people
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection RiskChanges; see studies60 people

High Cholesterol

  • Apolipoprotein A
  • Apolipoprotein B: improves
  • Plasma Vitamin D: improves
High Cholesterol: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Apolipoprotein A

No effect

NoneNo effect127 people
Apolipoprotein BImproves (the measure goes down)2 studies241 people

Studies that measured apolipoprotein b

Plasma Vitamin DImproves (the measure goes up)1 study127 people

Studies that measured plasma vitamin d

TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)1 study241 people

Studies that measured triglycerides

BilirubinChanges; see studies114 people
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves (the measure goes down)127 people
Fecal Bile AcidsImproves (the measure goes up)114 people
FibrinogenImproves (the measure goes up)127 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)241 people
Kidney FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)114 people
Liver EnzymesChanges; see studies114 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)241 people
Plasma Vitamin EImproves (the measure goes up)127 people
Plasma β-caroteneImproves (the measure goes up)127 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)241 people

Immune Health

  • B Cell Count
  • Immunity: improves
  • Immunoglobulin A: improves
Immune Health: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
B Cell Count

No effect

NoneNo effect31 people
ImmunityImproves (the measure goes up)1 study31 people

Studies that measured immunity

Immunoglobulin AImproves (the measure goes up)1 study23 people

Studies that measured immunoglobulin a

Lymphocyte CountImproves (the measure goes up)31 people
Monocyte CountImproves (the measure goes up)31 people

General Cardiovascular Health

  • Blood glucose
  • Blood Pressure: improves
  • Triglycerides: improves
General Cardiovascular Health: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

No effect

NoneNo effect385 people
Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)1 study385 people

Studies that measured blood pressure

TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)1 study268 people

Studies that measured triglycerides

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)268 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)268 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)268 people

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

  • Bilirubin
  • Blood Pressure: improves
  • Heart Rate: improves
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bilirubin

No effect

NoneNo effect39 people
Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)1 study39 people

Studies that measured blood pressure

Heart RateImproves (the measure goes down)1 study39 people

Studies that measured heart rate

TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)1 study39 people

Studies that measured triglycerides

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)39 people
Kidney FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)39 people
Liver EnzymesChanges; see studies39 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)39 people
Lymphocyte CountImproves (the measure goes up)39 people
Monocyte CountImproves (the measure goes up)39 people
Neutrophil CountImproves (the measure goes up)39 people
Red Blood Cell CountImproves (the measure goes up)39 people
Serum PlateletsImproves (the measure goes up)39 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)39 people
WeightImproves (the measure goes down)39 people
White Blood Cell CountImproves (the measure goes up)39 people

Metabolic Health

  • Bilirubin
  • Blood Pressure: improves
  • Heart Rate: improves
Metabolic Health: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bilirubin

No effect

NoneNo effect124 people
Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)1 study124 people

Studies that measured blood pressure

Heart RateImproves (the measure goes down)1 study124 people

Studies that measured heart rate

Blood glucoseImproves (the measure goes down)124 people
HematocritImproves (the measure goes up)124 people
HemoglobinImproves (the measure goes up)124 people
Liver EnzymesChanges; see studies124 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)124 people
WeightImproves (the measure goes down)124 people
White Blood Cell CountImproves (the measure goes up)124 people

Acute Gastroenteritis

  • Diarrhea Symptoms: improves
Acute Gastroenteritis: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Diarrhea SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)4 studies433 people

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)

  • Diarrhea Symptoms: improves
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD): outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Diarrhea SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)4 studies23 people

Diarrhea

  • Diarrhea Symptoms: improves
Diarrhea: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Diarrhea SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)4 studies540 people

Allergic Rhinitis (Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever)

  • Allergic Disease Risk: changes; see studies
Allergic Rhinitis (Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever): outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Allergic Disease RiskChanges; see studies1 study184 people

Asthma

  • Allergic Disease Risk: changes; see studies
Asthma: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Allergic Disease RiskChanges; see studies1 study184 people

Depression

  • Depression Symptoms: improves
Depression: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Depression SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study509 people

General Gut Health

  • Immunoglobulin A: improves
General Gut Health: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Immunoglobulin AImproves (the measure goes up)1 study23 people

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

  • Abdominal Pain: improves
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Abdominal PainImproves (the measure goes down)1 study481 people

Peri-implant diseases

  • Dental Health Metrics: improves
Peri-implant diseases: outcomes studied for Lactobacillus reuteri
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Dental Health MetricsImproves (the measure goes up)1 study196 people

Key findings

  • Infant cryingImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Helicobacter Pylori Infection SignsH. Pylori InfectionImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Gastrointestinal symptomsImproves (the measure goes down)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Third-party tested Lactobacillus reuteri products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade B

Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure

Studies cited

30 studies from PubMed

  1. Evaluation of clinical safety and tolerance of a Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 supplement capsule: a randomized control trialRegul Toxicol Pharmacol · PMID 22561556
  2. Cholesterol-lowering efficacy of a microencapsulated bile salt hydrolase-active Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 yoghurt formulation in hypercholesterolaemic adultsBr J Nutr · PMID 22067612
  3. Cholesterol lowering and inhibition of sterol absorption by Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242: a randomized controlled trialEur J Clin Nutr · PMID 22990854
  4. Oral 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 · PMID 23609838
  5. Safety and tolerance of Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation to a population infected with the human immunodeficiency virusFood Chem Toxicol · PMID 9862651
  6. Probiotics for infantile colic: Is there evidence beyond doubt? A meta-analysis and systematic review.Acta Paediatr · PMID 37962097
  7. Probiotics to prevent or treat excessive infant crying: systematic review and meta-analysisJAMA Pediatr · PMID 24100440
  8. Treating infant colic with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: double blind, placebo controlled randomised trialBMJ · PMID 24690625
  9. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in infantile colic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialPediatrics · PMID 20713478
  10. Prophylactic use of a probiotic in the prevention of colic, regurgitation, and functional constipation: a randomized clinical trialJAMA Pediatr · PMID 24424513
  11. Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection Strain 55730) versus simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic: a prospective randomized studyPediatrics · PMID 17200238
  12. 454 pyrosequencing analysis on faecal samples from a randomized DBPC trial of colicky infants treated with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938PLoS One · PMID 23468874
  13. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 for the management of infantile colic in breastfed infants: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialJ Pediatr · PMID 22981952
  14. Improvement 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 · PMID 24636808
  15. Safety and tolerability of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and effects on biomarkers in healthy adults: results from a randomized masked trialPLoS One · PMID 22970150
  16. Salivary IgA response to probiotic bacteria and mutans streptococci after the use of chewing gum containing Lactobacillus reuteriPathog Dis · PMID 23737255
  17. Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC55730 in cystic fibrosisJ Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr · PMID 24121143
  18. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in hospitalized adultsJ Clin Gastroenterol · PMID 21552138
  19. No effect of probiotics on respiratory allergies: a seven-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial in infancyPediatr Allergy Immunol · PMID 23902407
  20. Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) in infants with functional chronic constipation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studyJ Pediatr · PMID 20542295
  21. Lactobacillus reuteri compared with placebo as an adjuvant in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Therap Adv Gastroenterol · PMID 38846173
  22. Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori infection in humans by Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 and effect on eradication therapy: a pilot studyHelicobacter · PMID 18321302
  23. Non-viable Lactobacillus reuteri DSMZ 17648 (Pylopass™) as a new approach to Helicobacter pylori control in humansNutrients · PMID 23917169
  24. The efficacy and acceptability of Lactobacillus reuteri for the treatment of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Gen Hosp Psychiatry · PMID 40339531
  25. Probiotics for treating acute infectious diarrhoea.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 33295643
  26. The influence of probiotics on gastrointestinal tract infections among children attending childcare: A systematic review and meta-analysisJ Appl Microbiol · PMID 34796583
  27. A systematic review and meta-analysis: the therapeutic and preventive effect of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17,938 addition in children with diarrhea.BMC Gastroenterol · PMID 37147591
  28. Use of probiotics in the treatment of functional abdominal pain in children-systematic review and meta-analysisEur J Pediatr · PMID 32940743
  29. Limosilactobacillus reuteri consumption significantly reduces the total cholesterol concentration without affecting other cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Res · PMID 37419064
  30. Adjunctive benefit of probiotic supplementation along with nonsurgical therapy for peri-implant diseases - A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Indian Soc Periodontol · PMID 37593565

Protocols that include Lactobacillus reuteri