Evidence supporting the use of: Lactobacillus
For the health condition: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Lactobacillus is a genus of probiotic bacteria that has been investigated for its potential to alleviate symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Scientific interest in Lactobacillus stems from its role in maintaining gut microbiota balance, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and modulating immune responses. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have assessed the efficacy of various Lactobacillus strains (e.g., L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus) for IBS symptom relief.
Overall, the evidence suggests that certain strains of Lactobacillus can provide modest improvement in overall IBS symptoms, particularly bloating and abdominal pain. For example, meta-analyses published in reputable journals such as Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Gut have found that probiotics, including Lactobacillus species, may reduce global IBS symptoms compared to placebo. However, the heterogeneity of study designs, strains used, dosages, and outcome measures makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Not all Lactobacillus strains are effective, and benefits appear to be strain-specific.
Current clinical guidelines, such as those from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), recognize probiotics (including some Lactobacillus strains) as a potential adjunct for symptom management in IBS, but they emphasize the limited and inconsistent quality of evidence. Thus, while there is scientific validation for the use of certain Lactobacillus strains in IBS, the strength of evidence is moderate, justifying a rating of 3 on the evidence scale.
More about Lactobacillus
More about Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Other ingredients used for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
2'-FucosyllactoseAgastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Akkermansia muciniphila
Alexandrian senna
Algae
Aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anise
asafoetida
atractylodes
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
Bacillus indicus
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
bayleaf
belleric myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta caryophyllene
betony
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bitter principals
black salt
blackberry
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bran
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cannabidiol
chen pi
chia seed
chlorella
chrysanthemum
cinnamon
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
coriander
cumin
curcumin
Dichrostachys glomerata
dragonhead
Enterococcus
enzyme blend
fennel
ferula assafoetida
fiber
fig
flaxseed
Frangula
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
Fumaria parviflora
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
ginger
Glucooligosaccharides
green banana
green tea
guar gum
hemicellulose
holarrhena antidysenterica
hyssop
Indian coraltree
Indian frankincense
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Kluyveromyces marxianus
L-glutamine
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus lactis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Leuconostoc
locust bean gum
lovage
Lysimachia
Malva sylvestris
Marshmallow
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Methylcellulose
Mucilage
Nardostachys
oat
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Peppermint
Phellodendron
Pimpinella
Plectranthus amboinicus
plum fruit
pomegranate
Portulaca
probiotics
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
psyllium
quercetin
quince
resveratrol
rhubarb
Rhus coriaria
Rubus
Saccharomyces boulardii
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sanguisorba
Savory
senna
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
turmeric
Viburnum
vitamin D
White oak
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Lactobacillus
Acid IndigestionAcne
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety Disorders
Bladder Infection
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Colitis
Constipation (adults)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diverticulitis
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lactose Intolerance
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Oral Surgery
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Thrush
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginitis
Wounds and Sores
