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Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: Clinical Support in Adults

LGG bacteria

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: the ideal probiotic for adults

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been proven to have digestive and immune benefits in multiple clinical trials1-5

Strong enough to survive stomach acids and form a barrier against non-beneficial bacteria, while colonizing in the intestines, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is clinically proven to foster the growth of additional beneficial bacteria. Delivering both digestive and immune benefits, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is a human derived probiotic strain and is well-established to be both safe and effective in adults.6-15  

Though still emerging, early studies indicate promising connections between Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and other medical benefits. Findings suggest promising development of new strategies for:

  • Management of cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders.
  • Anti-inflammatory effects in the elderly.16
  • Management of comorbid behavioral disorders with IBS, including anxiety and depression.17
  • Capacity to produce neuroactive compounds that regulate cognitive function, behavior patterns, social interaction, and stress management.17

Digestive

Numerous studies have shown that supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG offers a host of gastrointestinal benefits. Clinical data indicates Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG reduces the incidence and duration of diarrhea resulting from dysbiosis due to viral, and bacterial intestinal infections,18-20 travel to foreign countries21,22 and side effects of antibiotics.23-27

Impact of antibiotics on microbiota

Antibiotics kill may infection-causing bacteria, but also disturb the balance of the gut microbiota, potentially allowing certain pathogenic bacteria to become overactive while impeding the function of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines.28,29 Uncomfortable side effects stemming from the imbalance can lead some patients to discontinue their antibiotic regimen, resulting in a high risk of treatment failure and contributing the development of antibiotic resistance.30

Impact of Certain Classes of Antibiotics on the Normal Intestinal Microbiota
Commonly prescribed antibiotics can heavily impact the abundance and diversity of normal intestinal bacteria and promote the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria.31,32

Impact of Certain Classes of Antibiotics on the Normal Intestinal Microbiota

 

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG reduced the incidence and duration of diarrhea resulting from antibiotics

Multiple clinical trails have demonstrated the efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (all at 12 billion CFU/d) in reducing the incidence and severity of antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD). By competing with pathogens for resources and binding sites on the intestinal mucosa to form a protective barrier and produce an antibacterial substance that protects against pathogens, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG improves the treatment tolerability by reducing several side effects and duration.33,34

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Helps Reduce the Incidence of Diarrhea During Triple Antibiotic Therapy

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Helps Reduce the Incidence of Diarrhea During Triple Antibiotic Therapy23,24
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG improves antibiotic treatment tolerability by reducing several side effects associated with triple antibiotic regimens, including diarrhea.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Reduces the Duration of Diarrhea During Erythromycin Treatment

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Reduces the Duration of Diarrhea During Erythromycin Treatment4
Clinical studies have found supplementation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG to reduce the duration of diarrhea associated with Erythromycin.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Helps Reduce the Incidence of Traveler’s Diarrhea

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Helps Reduce the Incidence of Traveler’s Diarrhea

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Helps Reduce the Incidence of Traveler’s Diarrhea

Travelers taking Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG were half as likely to experience diarrhea as compared to those in the placebo arm. The authors noted that for patients with a prior history of traveler’s diarrhea, the benefit of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG administration was even greater.

Immune

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has the potential to improve immune response3

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation’s support of natural defenses and overall health has been demonstrated in dozens of clinical trials involving thousands of healthy participants. From promoting upper respiratory health to improving a patient’s response to the influenza vaccine,4,6 to helping to modulate allergic responses, the benefits of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG have been linked to a battery of positive outcomes.  

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Improves Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Improves Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine3
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG behaves as an adjuvant to improve influenza vaccine immunogenicity. Studies found Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG administration to increase seroprotection for H3N2 .

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG modulates nonspecific immune responses to allergens.
Hypersensitivity reactions, or allergies, occur within minutes of exposure to a challenging antigen. Serious systemic reactions, or anaphylaxis, can be life threatening. Studies indicate Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has an immunostimulating effect on the oral mucosa, which can positively modulate a patient’s immune response.

The expression of phagocytic receptors on neutrophils and monocytes was compared prior to and after a milk challenge. While milk significantly increased the expression of certain phagocytic receptors milk-hypersensitive individuals, the addition of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG attenuated this increased and ultimately the inflammatory response.35 However, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG had the opposite effect in healthy participants where the phagocytic progress increased and receptor expression was up-regulated.

Inflammation

Evidence Suggests Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG May Help Reduce Inflammatory Markers

Inflammation associated with metabolic disease is also related to LPS-induced changes to the gut microbiota. Lactobacillus GG has been shown to lower serum CRP levels in healthy adults, highlighting its potential for reducing postprandial inflammation.

Evidence Suggests Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG May Help Reduce Inflammatory Markers

Evidence Suggests Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG May Help Reduce Inflammatory Markers

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been shown to lower certain inflammatory markers in healthy adults including serum CRP, highlighting its potential for reducing inflammation.

The Culturelle® Advantage

The Culturelle Advantage comparison chart

References:
^Culturelle® Digestive Health Daily Probiotics are recommended to promote a favorable gut flora, support gastrointestinal health, help manage acute infectious diarrhea and help manage and reduce the risk of antibiotic associated diarrhea and are not intended for any other use / purpose.
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3. Davidson LE, Fiorino AM, Snydman DR, Hibberd PL. Lactobacillus GG as an immune adjuvant for live-attenuated influenza vaccine in healthy adults: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011;65(4):501-507.
4. Siitonen S, Vapaatalo H, Salminen S, et al. Effect of Lactobacillus GG yoghurt in prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhoea. Ann Med. 1990;22(1):57-59.
5. Vanderhoof JA, Whitney DB, Antonson DL, et al. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children.J Pediatr. 1999;135:564-568.
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21. Hilton E, Kolakowski P, Singer C, Smith M. Efficacy of lactobacillus GG as a diarrheal preventive in travelers. J Travel Med. 1997;4(1):41-43.
22. Oksanen PJ, Salminen S, Saxelin M, et al. Prevention of travellers’ diarrhoea by lactobacillus GG. Ann Med. 1990;22(1):53-56.
23. Armuzzi A, Cremonini F, Ojetti V, et al. Effect of lactobacillus GG supplementation on antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal side effects during helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: A pilot study. Digestion.2001;63(1):1-7.
24. Armuzzi A, Cremonini F, Bartolozzi F, et al. The effect of oral administration of lactobacillus GG on antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal side-effects during helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2001;15(2):163-169.
25. Cremonini F, Di Caro S, Covino M, et al. Effect of different probiotic preparations on anti-helicobacter pylori therapy-related side effects: A parallel group, triple blind, placebo-controlled study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002;97(11):2744-2749.
26. Cremonini F, Di Caro S, Santarelli L, et al. Probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Dig Liver Dis. 2002;34(SUPPL. 2):S78-S80.
27. Siitonen S, Vapaatalo H, Salminen S, et al. Effect of Lactobacillus GG yoghurt in prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhoea. Ann Med. 1990;22(1):57-59.
28. Videlock EJ, Cremonini F. Meta-analysis: Probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2012;35(12):1355-1369.
29. Rodgers B, Kirley K, Mounsey A. PURLs: Prescribing an antibiotic? pair it with probiotics. J Fam Pract. 2013;62(3):148-150. 
30. McFarland LV. Use of probiotics to correct dysbiosis of normal microbiota following disease or disruptive events: A systematic review. BMJ Open. 2014;4(8):e005047-2014-005047.
31. Jernberg C, Lofmark S, Edlund C, Jansson JK. Long-term impacts of antibiotic exposure on the human intestinal microbiota. Microbiology. 2010;156(Pt 11):3216-3223.
32. Panda S, El khader I, Casellas F, et al. Short-term effect of antibiotics on human gut microbiota. PLoS One. 2014;9(4):e95476.
33. Mack DR, Michail S, Wei S, McDougall L, Hollingsworth MA. Probiotics inhibit enteropathogenic E. coli adherence in vitro by inducing intestinal mucin gene expression. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 1999;276(4 39-4):G941-G950.
34. Mack DR, Ahrne S, Hyde L, Wei S, Hollingsworth MA. Extracellular MUC3 mucin secretion follows adherence of lactobacillus strains to intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. Gut. 2003;52(6):827-833.
35. Pelto L, Isolauri E, Lillus E, Nuutila J, Salminen S. Probiotic bacteria down-regulate the milk-induced inflammatory response in milk-hypersensitive subjects but have an immunostimulatory effect in healthy subjects. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998;28(12):1474-1479.