Synopsis

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

Lactobacillus reuteri has been studied for its potential role in supporting or adjunctively treating Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The scientific justification for its use is based on its probiotic properties, including modulation of gut microbiota, enhancement of mucosal barrier function, and anti-inflammatory effects. Several preclinical studies in animal models have demonstrated that L. reuteri can decrease intestinal inflammation, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improve intestinal barrier integrity. Human clinical trials are more limited and generally small in scale, but some have shown beneficial effects in reducing disease activity and improving symptoms, particularly in ulcerative colitis and, to a lesser extent, in Crohn’s disease. For example, a few randomized controlled trials have reported that supplementation with L. reuteri led to reduced relapse rates in ulcerative colitis and improved clinical scores.

However, the overall quality and quantity of evidence remain moderate. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews conclude that while some probiotic strains may be helpful for IBD, the evidence for L. reuteri specifically is not as robust as for other strains such as Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 or certain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium mixes. Safety data are generally favorable, with few reported adverse effects. In summary, there is scientific support for the use of L. reuteri in IBD, but larger, well-designed human trials are needed to confirm efficacy and determine optimal dosing and strain specificity.

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