Evidence supporting the use of: Lactobacillus salivarius
For the health condition: Antibiotics (side effects of)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Lactobacillus salivarius is a probiotic bacterium that has been studied for its role in maintaining and restoring gut microbiota balance, particularly during or after antibiotic use. Antibiotics, while effective against pathogenic bacteria, often disrupt the normal gut flora, leading to side effects like diarrhea, bloating, and increased risk of opportunistic infections such as Clostridioides difficile. Probiotics, including L. salivarius, are thought to mitigate these issues by replenishing beneficial bacteria and competitively inhibiting pathogenic organisms.

Several clinical and preclinical studies have evaluated the efficacy of L. salivarius in reducing antibiotic-associated side effects. For example, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that probiotic supplementation, including strains of L. salivarius, can decrease the incidence and duration of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in both children and adults. However, most meta-analyses evaluate probiotics as a class, with less data specifically isolating the effects of L. salivarius compared to other strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or Saccharomyces boulardii. Some studies indicate that L. salivarius may enhance mucosal immunity and improve gut barrier function, contributing to its protective effects.

While there is moderate scientific support for the use of L. salivarius to address the side effects of antibiotics, more high-quality, strain-specific RCTs are needed. As such, the evidence is promising but not definitive, justifying a moderate rating.

More about lactobacillus salivarius
More about Antibiotics (side effects of)